The NHL is closing in on a deal with the KHL to play two exhibition games next season.
Every week I like to pick a random hockey story that I think is interesting enough to share with the rest of the hockey community.
I came across this story from Darren Dreger on TSN and after doing some research, I found some additional reports on forums and blogs (the most credible sources) that confirmed these details. So, having a hunch, this sounds like something that could really be in the works.
Apparently the NHL and KHL have been talking about hosting some exhibition games between the two leagues since the Olympics. The two NHL teams that will be playing, and they are only tentatively scheduled at the moment, are the Carolina Hurricanes and Phoenix Coyotes because, in reality, there is no denying the fact that quiet and reserved folks like Cam Ward and Petr Prucha have emerged. of their shells. to become legitimate spokespersons for the league and will represent the NHL extremely well at this outstanding international event.
Sheesh. What happened: New York, Detroit, Washington, Pittsburgh, Toronto, Montreal, etc. etc. etc. weren’t all available?
Anyway, according to Dreger’s report, it looks like the ‘Canes will play St. Petersburg (SKA) and the’ Yotes will face Riga. Who knows who will defect to the KHL and join these two teams before the actual games are played (or leave the teams for that matter), but some notable names in the teams at the moment include:
SKA:
Darius Kasparaitis
Alexei Yashin
Sergei zubov
Sergei brylin
Riga:
Tyler arnason
Marcel hossa
Martin Kariya (yes I’m stretching here)
Other teams will go to scrimmage in Europe, as has been fashionable in recent seasons; including the Boston Bruins, Minnesota Wild, San Jose Sharks and Columbus Blue Jackets. To be honest, in the humble opinion of this hockey fool, I think Boston and San Jose would have been better options for these big marquee games.
But regardless of my opinion, if this really fails, it will be pretty good. There has been enough tension between the leagues in recent seasons and honestly, there is no better way to settle the score than a game of hockey. I like the idea of showcasing talents from different parts of the world and if the sport gains any media attention, it is definitely worth it in my books.