In retrospect, it wasn’t the brightest plan.
“Definitely tough,’’ said Seidenberg. “We were traveling all over the place. Then we finally headed over to Europe, with the time change. It was really compressed. By the time we got there, everybody was exhausted.’’
Perhaps it was no coincidence, then, that after splitting games with the Blackhawks, the Panthers flew back and fell on their faces. In their first eight games following the Finland trip, the Panthers went 1-6-1. They would conclude the 2009-10 season with a 32-37-13 record, finishing second to last in the Eastern Conference.
Such are the concerns facing the Bruins as they kick off their European trip. They have ice time in Belfast today and tomorrow. They play the Belfast Giants Select on Saturday. Sunday is a travel day to Prague. They have a morning skate Tuesday in Prague, then take a bus to Liberec for an exhibition game against HC Liberec. The real games take place against Phoenix next Saturday and Sunday.
They will return to Boston early on the morning of Oct. 11, play at New Jersey Oct. 16, at Washington Oct. 19, then open at home against the Capitals Oct. 21 — not the most efficient way to open a season that is filled with promise.
“I’ve talked to some [general managers] who didn’t do that well,’’ said GM Peter Chiarelli. “It just builds over the course that you’re there. At the end, when you’re playing your meaningful games, that’s when it all comes crashing down.
“So the advance planning is very important, and the rest period after you get back. But it’s to have fun. You go over there and make sure your guys have fun, because it is a good trip.’’
Since 2006-07, when Anaheim, as defending Stanley Cup champion, opened the season in London against Los Angeles, the NHL has been regularly sending its clubs to Europe. So far, the results upon returning to North America have been mixed.
