The Forechecker today has a fascinating breakdown of miles traveled by NHL clubs in 2008-09. The San Jose Sharks will migrate more than 56,000 miles, he tabulates, while only the New York Islanders will travel less than the Caps (28,321 miles). Of course, if the league wised up and reconstituted the Patrick division, there’d be even less travel for the team. Perhaps someone in Congress during our leaders’ energy deliberations this year will offer that as an amendment.
It is sort of an interesting question — could entrenched high oil prices force not just the NHL but other leagues to realign toward bus and train-friendly distances within divisions? Obviously, there are limitations with what can be achieved on that front out West. But in the years ahead, as there is certain to be no short-term solution to America’s vexing energy challenges, we may see something like multiple games played against a common opponent, especially on weekends, as in Canadian Major Juniors.
The Caps are also aided this season by a modest slate of games on back-to-back nights — just eight such over the 82-game schedule: one in October, three in November; two in January; and just one in February and March.
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If anything there could be more train travel for teams on the Northeast Corridor. The Rangers play ontop of NY’s Penn Station, so that makes sense and the Devils are very close to Newark’s Penn Station. I know that Nats have taken the train between here and NY. Boston and Philly probably make sense as well.
Realignment to suit geography probably needs to happen with the price of gas/fuel being as high as it is. I also agree with more train/bus travel. What might also make sense would be limiting the travel in another way. For example, we could play Philly/NY Rangers/NY Islanders & NJ Devils on the road in a 3 week span. We could play them each twice and really limit the travel. You could do the same thing with Atlanta and the 2 teams in Florida. You could also do a combo of St Louis & Chicago or Pittsburg & Columbus. It would give all teams some long road trips, but also some real long home stands and save on fuel.
So, anyone else think the Father/Son trip might happen over Valentine’s weekend? Sat in Miami, Sunday in Tampa. Would just have to stay over for Monday and then make it back for a Wed home game against Montreal.
The next Panthers/Lightning road trip is in the middle of the week in March.
By my count the caps have 13 sets of back to back games.
1) Oct 10-11
Jan. 13-14
2) Nov. 14-15
3) Nov. 19-20
4) Nov. 28-29
5) Dec. 6-7
6) Dec. 12-13
7) Jan. 9-10
9) Jan. 19-20
10) Jan. 31-Feb. 1
11) Feb. 14-15
12) Feb. 28-Mar. 1
13) Mar. 16-17
That smiley guy was auto-emoticoned and is not representative of my typing skills.
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