On the Forecheck - All Posts

KHL Super Schedule 2013-2014: Taking Hockey Travel to the Extreme

2013-06-19T02:52:01Z

I knew as soon as the KHL announced an expansion team in Vladivostok that I had to create a KHL Super Schedule, adding up the total miles traveled by KHL teams over the course of the 2013-2014 season. For years now I've done the same thing for the NHL (check out previous editions of the NHL Super Schedule), but recent additions to the KHL lineup have pushed that league to a remarkable geographic extreme.

Having been fortunate enough to take one year of Russian language classes in high school, one thing I do remember is that Vladivostok was described as roughly translating into English as "furthest East". The new Vladivostok Admiral club, along with fellow Chernyshev Division team HC Amur, is located over 2,000 miles to the east of any other KHL team!

Yesterday the league announced their 2013-2014 regular season schedule, so once I put together a matrix of distances ("as the crow flies") from each KHL team's location to every other team, I was able to build upon the spreadsheets I use for the NHL Super Schedule to calculate the distance each club will travel along the course of their season.

You're Not In Kansas Any More

Imagine you're part of this year's other KHL expansion club, playing out of Zagreb, Croatia. For many road games you'll travel about 1,000 miles to the greater Moscow area, which is home to 5 teams. Then, maybe you head another 2,000 miles east for a road game at Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Feeling like a big-time hockey player, are you?

OK, just hop aboard that jet and head all the way across Mongolia, then add several hundred more miles before touching down in Vladivostok for a game against Slava Fetisov's team. Once you're done, buckle up for a 5,000 mile trip back home!

So yeah, adding a franchise at the East Pole is sure to introduce a massive amount of travel for fellow KHL teams, who play every other team in the league twice during the upcoming season (once at home, once on the road).

So without further ado, let's take a look at the numbers...

Team	Travel Miles	1-Game Trips	82 Game Equivalent
HC Admiral Vladivostok	58,462	0	88,776
Amur Khabarovsk	56,322	0	85,526
Metallurg Novokuznetsk	35,506	0	53,917
Sibir Novosibirsk	34,269	0	52,038
HC LEV Praha	33,014	3	50,132
KHL Medvescak Zagreb	32,717	1	49,681
HC Slovan Bratislava	31,556	1	47,918
Barys Astana	27,728	3	42,105
Donbas Donets’k	27,633	3	41,961
Traktor Chelyabinsk	27,120	2	41,182
Dinamo Minsk	26,487	2	40,221
Dinamo Riga	26,231	2	39,832
SKA St. Petersburg	25,800	3	39,178
Avangard Omsk	25,566	2	38,822
Metallurg Magnitogorsk	25,544	0	38,789
Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk	25,015	0	37,986
Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg	24,136	2	36,651
Salavat Yulayev Ufa	24,054	1	36,526
Ak Bars Kazan	23,741	1	36,051
Atlant Moscow Oblast	23,197	4	35,225
Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk	22,828	1	34,665
Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod	22,702	3	34,473
Dynamo Moskva	22,603	0	34,323
Vityaz Podolsk	22,411	10	34,032
Lokomotiv Yaroslavl	22,022	2	33,441
Severstal Cherepovets	21,768	0	33,055
CSKA Moskva	21,628	3	32,843
Spartak Moskva	21,621	5	32,832

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Keep in mind that the KHL is set for a 54-game season in 2013-2014, so I've added a column here reflecting an 82-game equivalent for comparison against NHL teams. Along those lines, here are a few observations:

Even in just 54 games, HC Admiral Vladivostok & Amur Khabarovsk will travel more than any NHL team in any of the last four 82-game seasons!
These travel numbers would be even more arduous were it not for careful management of the schedule. For example, one common issue in the NHL is having teams play on back-to-back nights, with most teams playing a dozen or more of such sets during an 82-game campaign. In the KHL this season, there are only two back-to-back sets in total, and on both occasions, the teams involved (Dinamo Riga & Atlant Moscow) are playing at home on consecutive nights, so there's no travel involved.
In addition to the lack of back-to-backs, we don't see many instances of teams making one-game trips (for example - playing at home, then one game on the road, then back home again). That's one way that teams can really rack up the miles quickly, but 8 KHL teams have none of them whatsoever.
There are three long breaks built into the schedule that should provide most players a good amount of rest. The first comes in early November, the second from mid-December to just after Christmas, and the third is for the Winter Olympics in February.

So who knows, maybe Alexander Radulov went back overseas for all the frequent flyer miles?

Nashville Predators News: Kevin Henderson Signs 2-Year Two-Way Contract

2013-06-18T19:39:28Z

The Nashville Predators have locked in some organizational depth with the signing of winger Kevin Henderson to a two-year, two-way contract. Henderson had a productive season in Milwaukee, which included a four-game call-up to the NHL which included a goal on April 19 at Chicago.

I wouldn't be surprised to see him get another cup of coffee in the big leagues as an injury replacement, but this signing would appear to be mostly about solidifying the Admirals' lineup.

The team's press release follows:

Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed forward Kevin Henderson to a two-year, two-way contract. He will make $550,000 at the NHL level and $75,000 at the AHL level in 2013-14, and $550,000 at the NHL level and $80,000 at the AHL level in 2014-15.

Henderson, 26 (12/3/86), suited up for Nashville's final four regular-season contests in 2012-13, scoring a goal in his NHL debut on April 19, 2013 at Chicago. The 6-3, 210-pound left wing also ranked third on the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL) in goals (17) and plus/minus rating (+13) during the 2012-13 campaign, his second season with Nashville's primary developmental affiliate. Since 2009, Henderson has 76 points (31g-45a) in 234 AHL games with Worcester and Milwaukee.

Signed by the Predators as a free agent on July 1, 2012, the undrafted Toronto native helped the University of New Brunswick win the 2009 CIS National Championship, receiving 2008-09 CIS All-Canadian Honorable Mention after tying for fifth in the nation in points (19g-31a-50pts) and goals, and ranking fourth in assists and plus/minus (+31). He was also teammates with current Predators Nick Spaling (2005-07) and Matt Halischuk (2006-07) with the Kitchener Rangers during his OHL career.

Henderson is on Twitter @KHendo86.

NHL Mock Draft 2013: Nashville Predators select Aleksander Barkov with No. 4 pick

2013-06-18T15:00:06Z

With names like Filip Forsberg, Taylor Beck, Brendan Leipsic and Jimmy Vesey showing promise as NHL-caliber wings, the Nashville Predators could use a young center capable of leading the way for this team 3-5 years down the road. Aleksander Barkov is not only suited for that job, but he has the potential to become the kind of 1st-line center that Preds fans have long yearned for.

He wouldn't have to be "the guy" right from Day One, but he could grow into that role over time.

Rated by NHL Central Scouting as the top European skater in the 2013 Draft, Barkov is a 6'2" 205 lb center who finished 9th in Finland's SM-liiga scoring race with 48 points in 53 games, at the tender age of 17. Unlike most of the other prospects in this draft, Barkov is already competing against grown men and succeeding.

Corey Pronman at Hockey Prospectus has a thorough review of his game. The bold sentence is my own emphasis:

He has an incredible amount of patience, vision, and awareness. He can slow the game down and dictate the tempo, as well as be the focal point on the power play. He also has a high level of defensive skill, showing ability at a very young age to be a quality defensive center. He has good technique on faceoffs, as he keeps his hands low, pulling pucks back quickly. Despite having good puck skills, he is not a player who will consistently try to stickhandle around players. He is selective, but he has the talent to create offense out of nothing. Barkov is a big, strong player. He will not crash and bang, but he protects the puck well. His skating is a tick below average. It is possible he could improve to an average skater, but his game will not be predicated on blazing past defenders. When bringing the puck out of his zone, he tends to prefer making a good pass rather than rushing the puck up.

That sentence in bold is what encourages me about how Barkov might fit within the Predators' system. The best puck-handlers in the world will only beat NHL defenders a small minority of the team, so knowing when to apply those skills is essential to Nashville's style. How many times over the years have we heard Barry Trotz bemoan the disastrous effects of a turnover right around the blueline?

Cue the highlight reel...

We see a nice variety of goals here - shots from a decent range, courageous drives to the net, a patient set of hands, and the ability to win puck battles around the crease.

P.Y.T.

When considering the potential of a prospect, age is a critical factor, and the fact that Barkov is one of the youngest players in this year's class only adds to his considerable upside. A couple months ago Jonathan Willis compared Barkov's production against some of the best prospects to come from Sweden & Finland since 1990, and found that only Peter Forsberg boasted a more impressive resume:

At first, it looks like Barkov performs very well but trails three players - Forsberg and the Sedin twins. However, because the NHL draft cut-off is September 15, the comparison to the Sedins is misleading - with a September 2 birthday, Barkov is at the youngest end of his draft group, while with a September 26 birthday the Sedins were at the oldest end of theirs. In other words, the Sedins are three weeks short of being a full year older than Barkov at the time of these statistics, and so the proper comparison between Barkov and the Sedins is Barkov's draft year versus the Sedins' pre-draft season. At the same age as Barkov, Daniel Sedin recorded 13 points in 45 games in the Elitserien; Henrik Sedin recorded five points in 39 contests.

Granted, the quality of Finland's top league may be in decline (Scott Reynolds at Copper & Blue provides an excellent analysis), but overall it appears that Barkov not only has tremendous potential as a professional, but is already demonstrating it against adult competition.

And hey, if all that isn't enough to excite you, how about a dose of Uncle Bob?

Some scouts have Drouin ahead of MacKinnon, and vice vera obviously, and I know at least one who has Aleksander Barkov ahead of both of them
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) May 27, 2013

A Fine Pedigree

Not to be overlooked is the fact that Barkov will be a second-generation pro. His father Alexander Barkov played 22 years mostly in the Soviet Union and Finland as a high-scoring center. He remained productive late into his career, and finished 13th in SM-liiga scoring at age 37, so Barkov the Younger should have a pretty good understanding of what the life of a pro athlete entails in terms of commitment to conditioning and skill development.

The Total Package

When you put it all together, Barkov represents Nashville's best hope to enjoy the kind of home-grown star quality forward that fans have long wished for. He boasts a wonderful combination of size & skill, and is already delivering on some of that promise in Finland's top pro league. With the Predators, he could theoretically step right into the NHL lineup (getting protected minutes behind Mike Fisher, David Legwand and Paul Gaustad) or spend a season in Milwaukee acclimating himself to the smaller North American rink.

Regardless of where he plays in 2013-2014, Aleksander Barkov would make an outstanding addition to Nashville's organizational depth chart (which is thin at center) for years to come.

Tuesday's Dump & Chase: Bruins Shut Down Hawks, Up 2-1

2013-06-18T13:11:48Z

Nashville Predators News

Nashville Predators likely to be in market for backup goaltender | The Tennessean

Being that Pekka is coming off hip surgery...

Smashville 24/7 - Podcast: NHL Draft Preview

Couldn't agree more.

Hickory Hollow area to become home to two new rinks | Section 303

I've lived here 3 years, and have no idea where Hickory Hollow Mall is. None.

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

3 KEYS: To the Blackhawks’ Game 3 loss - Chicago Sun-Times

That 0-11 on the power play is pretty ugly.

The great Marian Hossa Game 3 injury mystery | Puck Daddy - Yahoo! Sports

If you're gonna say "upper body injury", why say anything at all? Totally useless information.

Price is steep for top picks in NHL draft | CBC Sports

Shocking to see a Meg Griffin reference in 30 Thoughts today.

Logan Couture agrees to contract extension - Fear The Fin

Terms haven't been announced, but here's a prediction: Several years and LOTS of dollars.

Flyers and Mark Streit agree to four-year deal - Broad Street Hockey

At $5.25 million per year. This is not a joke.

Big Bad Blog " Don Cherry:Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin ‘a loser’

Sure, why not.

Jack Edwards Is America's Best And Most Insane Sports Broadcaster-Buzzfeed

They're half right.

Tuukka Rask Shuts Out Chicago Despite "Shitty" Ice; Bruins Lead 2-1-Deadspin

I thought the ice was only bad in the non-traditional markets.

Google is Mean to America's Crappiest Sports Teams and Athletes - SportsPickle Opinion

Poor Gary Bettman.

Monday's Dump & Chase: Game 3 Tonight!

2013-06-17T13:30:33Z

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

Blackhawks face ominous Game 3 in Boston| Toronto Sun

They've lost every Game 3 this year, which means...probably nothing.

Players controlling ‘fatigue factor’ in Stanley Cup Final | ProHockeyTalk

They've already played 3+ games with all the overtimes.

Logan Couture points out Vezina injustice | Puck Drunk Love

I've got no problem with Bob winning the award, but he does have a point.

Flyers offseason: A silver lining in the 2013 goalie market - Broad Street Hockey

Speaking of Bob...the Flyers should totally sign him to an offer sheet. That would be perfect.

What We Learned: Worst thing about NHL Awards? The voters | Puck Daddy - Yahoo! Sports

Publish the ballots. As a sportswriter, you should welcome the opportunity to defend your vote.

List: Every Synonym For "Pass" That Rifled Out Of Doc Emrick's Mouth-Deadspin

Wow. Just amazing.

NHL’s Coyotes back on the table for Seattle and arena plan? | Seattle Sonics Blog - seattlepi.com

Can this just end already? For all the parties involved.

Stars' new coach likely to be one of these two guys ... | Dallasnews.com

They misspelled Tortorella.

Sunday's Dump & Chase: Hawks, Bruins Lazy, Play Only 1 OT

2013-06-16T14:12:28Z

Nashville Predators News

Annual Report Card: Chris Mason | The Predatorial

When your first game is your only good game, the resulting grade will be an___.

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

Five reasons why the Boston Bruins won Game 2 | Puck Daddy - Yahoo! Sports

Number 4 seems like a pretty big one.

Controversial Play - TSN Video

See above.

Stunning ineptitude on power play could cost the Hawks the Cup - Chicago Sun-Times

Taking a big, fat goose egg on their last 15 isn't good.

Jaromir Jagr's favorite player growing up was ... Jaromir Jagr | Puck Drunk Love

If only he had such good taste when it came to the hairstyle. Or the beard.

The Maple Leafs re-upped their fighter because every team has a fighter | Backhand Shelf

The Predators don't.

New York Rangers should get Mark Messier coaching experience in the AHL - NY Post

That way, they can bump him right up when they fire Vigneault in 2 years.

Report: Avs reject Flames’ bold bid for 2013′s top pick | ProHockeyTalk

Given the quality of players available to the Avs at 1, I wouldn't do this deal either.

Watch Zdeno Chara Punch Sidney Crosby in the Face - Sporting News

Here's a little something for all the Crosby haters out there.

Here's ESPN promoting the Stanley Cup Finals on NBCSN | Awful Announcing

Finally we get some hockey on The Worldwide Leader.

Greatest Moments In Stanley Cup Finals History | The Onion

Some of these could be a bit off. No way to tell for sure, though.

Happy Father's Day From OTF

2013-06-16T13:17:10Z

My dad took me to my first NHL game - I don't recall the date, but I do remember that the Detroit Red Wings hosted the Atlanta Flames at the long-gone Olympia. I can still see the scoreboard (a collection of good old-fashioned light bulbs) and feel the stickiness of the floors (presumably due to decades of fossilized beer spills) as we'd climb the stairs to get to & from our seats. After that, we had years of skating at either the neighborhood rink or on the pond in front of our house, which froze over perfectly for a few weeks every winter.

When you're a kid just learning how to skate, there's nothing better than have your dad tie your skates up, give you a pat on the shoulder, and let you know that falling down is perfectly OK - his hand will be right there to help you get back up.

One of the great things about the atmosphere at Nashville Predators games is how family-friendly it is. I've never had a problem with bringing my wee folk to a game, something which can't be said of every team in the league. I know compared to the rest of Bloggers Row I'm not up there in the press area very often, nor do I stay into the wee hours of the night after interviewing players post-game in the locker room. Frankly, I'd rather be in the stands with one (or more) of my kids, creating our own special moments.

I can still finger-point the exact instant, for example, that my youngest got bit by the hockey bug - it was in the 2008 playoffs, when the Predators scored twice in 9 seconds to beat Detroit. It was a piece of magic that wasn't just about what happened on the ice, but how the entire building erupted in a moment of stunned jubilation. His eyes grew wide as saucers, and he could yell & scream along with the masses, without being told to settle down. Will he look back in a few decades and recall that moment like I did? I can't help but wonder.

So I ask you, Dear Reader - what are your favorite hockey-related Dad memories?

Nashville Predators News: New Hockey Rink, Practice Facility Coming to Hickory Hollow

2013-06-15T22:14:53Z

Today the Tennessean followed up a report from Friday by WSMV, with news that Monday's Summer Festival being put on by the Nashville Predators at the site of the former Hickory Hollow Mall in Antioch will indeed feature the announcement that more ice is coming to our city:

The hockey rink will also double as a practice facility for the National Hockey League franchise. The rink is planned near the north entrance of the mall next to where city officials will break ground on Monday for a new library, regional community center and park. An agreement between the city and owners of the re-branded Global Mall at the Crossings to swap parking lot space should pave the way for the new rink.

Development details, including the cost, are expected to be revealed at Monday's announcment.

--- Getahn Ward, The Tennessean

This area is long overdue for another sheet (or two, or four...) of ice, as hockey leagues are usually maxed out and players are required to play late at night. When I first moved here it took a year to get on to a rec league team, simply because there were no regular spots available. As the sport becomes more popular, but rinks are fully utilized, you reach a situation where some folks can get squeezed out, and the opportunity to build upon that growth can be missed.

The location adds a nice complement to A-Game in Cool Springs, and Centennial Sportsplex in Nashville. I'm sure people on the north side of town are itching for a facility to be added up there, too, but this is important progress, and makes hockey much more accessible to potential players from Rutherford County to the southeast of the city.

View Hockey Rinks in Nashville TN in a larger map

We'll await further details on Monday, but the new rink can't open soon enough...

On the Forecheck - All Posts

KHL Super Schedule 2013-2014: Taking Hockey Travel to the Extreme

You're Not In Kansas Any More

Google Map of KHL Teams

Nashville Predators News: Kevin Henderson Signs 2-Year Two-Way Contract

NHL Mock Draft 2013: Nashville Predators select Aleksander Barkov with No. 4 pick

P.Y.T.

A Fine Pedigree

The Total Package

Tuesday's Dump & Chase: Bruins Shut Down Hawks, Up 2-1

Nashville Predators News

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

Monday's Dump & Chase: Game 3 Tonight!

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

Sunday's Dump & Chase: Hawks, Bruins Lazy, Play Only 1 OT

Nashville Predators News

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

Happy Father's Day From OTF

Nashville Predators News: New Hockey Rink, Practice Facility Coming to Hickory Hollow