Lockout: Ducks abroad! (Beleskey signs with Coventry Blaze)
Mod edit: I was thinking that with players starting to sign in other leagues, it would be good to have a consolidated thread for that discussion. Not just that, but discussion in how they're playing etc. Since clatchie's thread is the first in this topic, he/she wins!
Just wondering what you think about Beleskey signing with my domestic team in the EIHL? His first game will be against Nottingham Panthers and Carolina's Stewart.
Last edited by snarktacular: 10-09-2012 at 09:20 AM.
I don't think it's a bad move. There's not a ton of spots for lockout imports around the attractive European leagues, even for bigger names from the NHL. He can either wait and see whether somewhere a nice spot stays open (which is highly unlikely), or he can go ahead and sign right now with a lower-level league (Germany's 2nd, Great Britain, Netherlands, etc.). If he wants to get going, it makes sense.
Just wondering what you think about Beleskey signing with my domestic team in the EIHL? His first game will be against Nottingham Panthers and Carolina's Stewart.
It's a good move for him. I'd bet he can produce near PPG in EIHL, while still playing his type of game (hard working, gritty and physical). Maybe it helps him with shot accuracy.
EDIT: Also are they really called "Genting Casino Coventry Blaze"
Officially, they're really just called Coventry Blaze. As our main sponsor, Genting Casino pay to have their name tacked on. A newspaper article would mention GC once at the start and then that'd be it.
@Flashheart Yeah, near PPG is a realistic expectation, he'll likely pair up with the Leeb Brothers that were signed from the Ice Tigers in the DEL former Islanders prospect Shea Guthrie.
Good for Beleskey. I hope Fowler signs somewhere soon (preferably in a higher up league), at his age he needs to be playing against quality competition.
And yeah it seems like less Ducks are heading overseas than any other teams. Which could make for some rusty players when we do see NHL hockey again.
Since I'm paying attention to not-Colorado for a change, why is he a special case?
It's his stage of development. He still needs work, and since he isn't eligible for the AHL, we'd rather he go over there than stay here for the union.
Fowler is a special case. I hope if it goes longer he moves on to Europe.
I thought about that just today. My local DEL club in Cologne had a rather fan-invisible partnership with the Ducks for a few years. I don't know if it's still going on, but there wasn't much happening, anyway. Regardless, one of our veteran defensemen went down with an injury, and we were thinking about our ideal lock-out signings for that spot. And as I felt the obvious mentionings of Weber, Suter, Letang, etc. were too boring, I threw Fowler's name in there as a darkhorse pick. I'm sure he doesn't want to miss a year in his development, so he's probably looking at his options. His skating would be a huge asset on the larger ice. (Obviously, so would his hockey-IQ be, but that's no different on the smaller surface.) Maybe there's some sort of connection between the Ducks' front-office and our coach, former NHL-er Uwe Krupp, to help things. I'm just dreaming, but that would be fun. And he'd get to defend against Jamie Benn and Claude Giroux + Danny Briere on some nights...
I didn't even consider the larger sheet. That would be another reason to send him, since he's one of the few young guys with a real shot to represent the USA in Sochi.
It's a good move for him. I'd bet he can produce near PPG in EIHL, while still playing his type of game (hard working, gritty and physical). Maybe it helps him with shot accuracy.
I don't know exactly how EIHL is in quality, but I guess its quite similar to the Norwegian GET-league? In that case, I'd expect Beleskey to produce at least PPG.
And yeah it seems like less Ducks are heading overseas than any other teams. Which could make for some rusty players when we do see NHL hockey again.
I'm getting worried a little bit. The ones playing in competitive leagues atm will have huge advantage when and if the season starts. No training camp and preseason games but it's action jackson immediately.
Yeah, I think it's especially important for a young guy like Fowler to be playing. Is there any word on whether Selanne is going to be joining Jokerit anytime soon?
Good for Beleskey. I hope Fowler signs somewhere soon (preferably in a higher up league), at his age he needs to be playing against quality competition.
And yeah it seems like less Ducks are heading overseas than any other teams. Which could make for some rusty players when we do see NHL hockey again.
Ducks hockey (or style)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul4587
Yeah, I think it's especially important for a young guy like Fowler to be playing. Is there any word on whether Selanne is going to be joining Jokerit anytime soon?
I think OCR had an article recently, that looked at our players and what are they doing during the lockout. What you can get from there is that he won`t be going to play anywhere exept the Ducks.
Interesting article on where players have gone so far during the lockout. It mentions the teams with the most and least players overseas. The Canucks have nobody playing overseas and we're tied with the Pens, Wild, Rangers & Lightning for second least with only 2 guys (Sbisa and Beleskey). The Bruins and Wings have the most with 9.
Teemu said he is even more busy now (than in hockey season) taking his kids to hobbies/sport but he is enjoying the normal life and looking his kids doing their stuff... plus he said the hockey practices are sometimes hard when there is only 6 guys skating... and good when there is at least 10 guys and 2 goalies... but mostly the trainings have been in the "good department"
I have a feeling Teemu will look this lockout thing very long...and if the season is totally cancelled maybe he thinks about Jokerit and Helsinki. 100% family life is getting into him.
I have a feeling Teemu will look this lockout thing very long...and if the season is totally cancelled maybe he thinks about Jokerit and Helsinki. 100% family life is getting into him.
Its good thing he has time to realize how boring being a family man is compared to being active NHL star / legend.
btw, you can see Beleskey debut for us tomorrow 9am Pacific. I think, at least. If there's a webcast I'll post the details, pretty expensive though - £7 or something like that.
I watched the game. He played well. He certainly is one of the most dominat players. Outplayed Anthony Stewart. Not sure who he fought but im sure the guy wished he would have picked someone else. The announcer said Nick Bonino tweeted in...cool
Gareth Chalmers @garethchalmers
Just been speaking to a good contact in the Italian A2, and they've been able to sign an @NHL player from the @AnaheimDucks #NHLLockout
