Holland: Wings asked to open 09-10 in Sweden

[big_D 0]

The Detroit Free Press's George Sipple reports that a Swedish paper claims that the Detroit Red Wings will start their 2009-2010 season in Sweden, playing against the St. Louis Blues:

December 12, Detroit Free Press: "The league has contacted us to ask if we have any interest," [Red Wings GM Ken] Holland said by phone from Montreal, where he's meeting with officials from Team Canada to discuss the 2010 Olympic team. "We do have some interest, but in order for us to consider going, there's a number of things that would have to happen."

The Wings need more information on a variety of things - such as television and travel schedule - before discussing a potential opponent.

"I don't know that it's quite as far along," Holland said when asked about potentially playing the Blues. "If we're not completely satisfied with all the logistics and everything that goes with it, we're not going to go."

The report comes from Expressen, whose Daniel Kristoffersson suggests that the Wings will open up the 09-10 season at the Globen Arena in Stockholm (where Dick Axelsson's former team, Djurgardens IF, plays), per a report by Eurosport.se:

December 12, Expressen (roughly translated): NHL premiere in Globen in 2009

It is yet another NHL global premier.

Next year's NHL season will begin with Detroit to face St. Louis on Swedish soil, states Eurosport.se.

"I have heard rumors about it and it will be exciting to see Detroit," says Swedish Ice Hockey Association chairman Christer Englund to HockeyExpressen.se.

It would be an NHL-premier in the Globe Arena next season.

According Eurosport.se it is now clear that the American team Detroit will face St. Louis in the Globen in 2009.

This year's NHL season started even in the Globen when the Ottawa Senators played against Pittsburgh, while Tampa Bay and the New York Rangers met in Prague.

"Heard rumors about it"

Swedish Ice Hockey Association chairman Christer Englund has heard the rumors about a NHL premiere with Detroit in the Globen next year.

"I have heard that it is rumor about it. It was also so before this season and then we were told that everything was ready in January. You learn it well be this year."

The NHL and Swedish Ice Hockey Association will be holding a discussion on the issue, and will continue to discuss it in a meeting at the end of the year.

"Exciting with Detroit"

"Then we will find out if everything is ready. There is of course approval from the Swedish Ice Hockey Foundation Ice Hockey League side needed in terms of whether the match will be played in the Globen," says Englund.

Englund is especially pleased that Detroit - including Swedes Nicklas Lidström, Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen - will come to Sweden.

"It is indeed very exciting and fun. That was what I had in mind before last year, that if it would bring any team, it would have a lot of Swedes, and one can safely say that Detroit is [that team]," says Englund.

Here's Eurosport's report, which credits no particular author:

December 12, Eurosport.se (roughly translated): EXTRA: NHL premiere in the Globe in 2009!

NHL Ice Hockey - NHL

Now it is clear that there will be a new NHL premiere at the Globen Arena. The 2009 NHL season also kicks off in Sweden. And this time Stanley Cup champions Detroit Red Wings [will come] to Stockholm.

Eurosport.se can today reveal that there wil be an NHL-premiere on Swedish soil next year. This year's season began in the Globen with dual meetings between Pittsburgh and Ottawa while Tampa Bay and the New York Rangers met in Prague.

The 2009 season will start in the Globen as well and there will be real bigwigs that Swedish eyes have seen. Detroit Red Wings will face St. Louis Blues in a double session and, based on today's rosters, the Swedish audience will get to see nine "blue and yellow" players on the ice.

As the season begins in the Globes means that Percy Nilsson's efforts to seek the premiere in the newly built Malmö Arena was in vain.

[Z and D for the C 712]

I'd vote no.

[AtomicPunk 296]

All that travel is hard on the players. I guess we have been lucky so far not to get involved in any of this NHL craziness, but I would defintely vote no if it were me.

Nick might just decide to stay if he goes back. Don't take the chance!

[Nev 1,085]

VERY surprised if this is true - when the Kings & Ducks played in London Babcock was extremely critical of the idea and said he would never want to do it (ie bang goes my chances of seeing the Wings play over here )

[blikst 1]

All that travel is hard on the players. I guess we have been lucky so far not to get involved in any of this NHL craziness, but I would defintely vote no if it were me.

Nick might just decide to stay if he goes back. Don't take the chance!

The Rangers did all right this year despite everything. I don't think it's that big of an issue.

[RusDRW 155]

It might be the only chance for me to watch Wings live...

[SweWings 45]

I'd run out on the ice and worship the ice that Lidstrom is skating on.

[hckypete96 3]

bad idea

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Meh, wouldn't be my personal preference but I understand why some games are played to open up a season in Europe, for more popularity and the like. It's not like my objection would stop them from doing it.

[FinRedWing 172]

I'd be there in a heartbeat & Mindfly would have to give me a place to stay for a few days.

[Guest Shoreline]

Personally I don't see this as a big deal either way. Firstly, the NHL does have viewers from Europe. Secondly, there is increased competition with the KHL. However, the travel time from there back to here can wear on someone.

So to be fair, I don't think this should be part of the regular season, but maybe some pre-season exhibition. Regular season games mean much more and should be played at the home team's venue.

Edited December 15, 2008 by Shoreline

[hardcoretom21 71]

Think about it Shoreline, Sweden IS home ice for the Wings!

[FinRedWing 172]

Interesting that they would be opening the regular season in Sweden again.

I thought Daly & Harkimo (Finnish ice hockey mogul) had an agreement that it would be Finland's turn next year. Maybe they'll both get matches though,like this season Czech Republic & Sweden did.

[po-GoWings 1]

are you kidding me why would you say this is a bad idea this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. im sure the nhl will compensate for the travel with days off.

[b.shanafan14 733]

Its a gimmick, having two games overseas a year isn't going spark some new NHL fans in europe, its throwing the ones that already exist a very expensive, very tiring bone. I'm sure the Nicks, Hank, Mule, etc. would love to go play in front of their home crowd, but the travel takes such a toll on the players. I too vote no.

[Guest mindfly]

Make it happen! it will be 2nd time i attend a wing game, first time was in florida, 2002...

FinRedWing: Too bad I live like 550km away from Stockholm, but for a wings game that's nothing

Edited December 15, 2008 by mindfly

[finalfilppula 2]

don't do it.

[SDavis35 140]

Don't the Wings have enough travelling on their schedule?

[JayUp88 1]

Do it, its great for the fans over there. We are basically the Swedish national team haha

[hardcoretom21 71]

You know this could have helped if the Wings were playing, say, a West Coast team... Like that the travelling would affect both teams...

[CrossoverThrash 0]

You know this could have helped if the Wings were playing, say, a West Coast team... Like that the travelling would affect both teams...

Tjhe Blues are further west than the Wings, wouldn't affect them more using this theory? it sure didn't hurt the Rangers this year.

[HomeNugget 2]

Don't they usually play these games about a week before the season actually starts? I don't think travel will be an issue.

[BigTex 1]

Shouldn't be an issue. they give the teams that play overseas extra time to recover and slack in their schedule to make up for it. Plus, I don't think it would hurt the team to shake things up a bit, do something different.

There's so many Wings fans in Europe, especially Sweden. Maybe as a favor Bettman will let us go over the cap next season to keep players that were developed in our system.

[Heaton 1]

Its a gimmick, having two games overseas a year isn't going spark some new NHL fans in europe, its throwing the ones that already exist a very expensive, very tiring bone. I'm sure the Nicks, Hank, Mule, etc. would love to go play in front of their home crowd, but the travel takes such a toll on the players. I too vote no.

It's not a gimmick, there's plenty of NHL fans in Europe and I think it's a good idea to give them a game or two to see their idols live.

[akustyk 84]

for me that would probably be the only opportunity to see Wings live in

my life (coz no way in hell they'd ever visit the Lower Lands ).

and by chance also to visit the land of the lovely tall blondes

so, yes, hell, yes, of course I do want them to be here!

just make it official and I'm booking my flight tickets

Edited December 15, 2008 by akustyk