Dinamo Riga 17/18 - Predicted Gargarin Cup Champions!

SoundAndFury

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May 28, 2012
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Well Riga is announcing the players they signed every day now, so things are moving forward, at least. At the same time, other than Stollery, no impact signings yet.
 

Rigafan

Registered User
Jul 28, 2016
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Well Riga is announcing the players they signed every day now, so things are moving forward, at least. At the same time, other than Stollery, no impact signings yet.

Yes its about time we had some news, they don't even update their website so much.

I'm sure the usual Team Latvia guys will be back, just depends what kind of recruiting goes on. Hopefully we get a nice big name in to keep it exciting this season
 

hansomreiste

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Sep 23, 2015
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Ankara
Does anyone have any expectations for the upcoming season? Would you say that things will be most likely the same with Riga staying one or two levels below mediocrity or can they do something different and maybe a playoff push this time? I know not many signings have been made or announced but I thought maybe some improvements that hint something may have happened. To me it looks like they will not be as bad but still unsure if I must expect something worth seeing from Dinamo. What is the problem for them? Lack of money? Lack of Latvian hockey players?
 

Rigafan

Registered User
Jul 28, 2016
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Europe
Does anyone have any expectations for the upcoming season? Would you say that things will be most likely the same with Riga staying one or two levels below mediocrity or can they do something different and maybe a playoff push this time? I know not many signings have been made or announced but I thought maybe some improvements that hint something may have happened. To me it looks like they will not be as bad but still unsure if I must expect something worth seeing from Dinamo. What is the problem for them? Lack of money? Lack of Latvian hockey players?

Like you said there isn't much activity yet and I don't expect too many import signings - hope I'm wrong though!

Getting Sandis Ozo as HC is a nice move. The team has tanked badly the past few seasons, attendance has been shocking, rightly so its not exactly cheap to go in a country that isn't exactly rich!, and when you are getting beat every game what's the point in showing up? - So I think having Sandis as coach will give some renewed interested, he's the legend after all!

We have new sponsors on board who seem to care about hockey - WinGas, lets see how much money they & Gazprom give us this year :handclap:

I wouldn't say 'lack of money' just where does it come from in such a small economy? Remember Latvia is just over 2m population - yet has a team in one of the most expensive leagues! I think the budget last year was something like €8m. I'd expect it to stay the same this time too.

I'm just hoping we don't embarrass ourselves again like last season, 11 wins is ridiculous
 

SoundAndFury

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May 28, 2012
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I wouldn't say 'lack of money' just where does it come from in such a small economy? Remember Latvia is just over 2m population - yet has a team in one of the most expensive leagues!

Well I live in Kaunas and Zalgiris is going to have >10m euros budget next season without having major sponsors like Gazprom so when there's will there's a way. But Riga has to start from the bottom to build reputation.

Lack of Latvian hockey players obviously isn't the problem as best of those aren't even playing in Riga, lack of money obviously is.
 

Rigafan

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Jul 28, 2016
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Lack of Latvian hockey players obviously isn't the problem as best of those aren't even playing in Riga, lack of money obviously is.

I'd agree with that, players don't seem to have to stay in Riga to make money. I've read that Ozo was on €800k when he came back and then went to Atlant to 'cash in' for his retirement. Shows the kind of salaries we can afford right now
 

SoundAndFury

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May 28, 2012
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And Abols signs with Orebro which a bit of a head shaker. Because he is ready for the first team, he is cheap, he is Latvian.. Why the hell didn't they sign him.
 

SoundAndFury

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May 28, 2012
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+/-? Come on. Playing for bad teams isn't a crime.

Lessio is unspectacular but decent. But still, we don't even know what his role is supposed to be.
 

Rigafan

Registered User
Jul 28, 2016
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His minus/plus doesn't look good at all, though. I mean, he is consistently on the wrong side.

I was just looking at his experience, plenty of NHL call ups. The guys we've been signing the past few years wouldn't have looked out of place in the UK League :laugh: These recent two look more like guys who may work in the KHL... hopefully
 

Milos Krasic

Best Serbian Footballer (2009) / Serie A Winner
Jul 1, 2008
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I wonder if Riga signs any Russians. They had Schastlivy and Toluzakov last year.
 

SoundAndFury

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May 28, 2012
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I was just looking at his experience, plenty of NHL call ups. The guys we've been signing the past few years wouldn't have looked out of place in the UK League :laugh: These recent two look more like guys who may work in the KHL... hopefully

At the same time, one of those UK League guys, Colton Gillies, got an extension. That kinda paints the full picture, this team, once again, is going to be terrible.
 

Rigafan

Registered User
Jul 28, 2016
902
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Europe
At the same time, one of those UK League guys, Colton Gillies, got an extension. That kinda paints the full picture, this team, once again, is going to be terrible.

Haha, who doesn't enjoy competing for last place :handclap:

Gillies was playing like a man possessed during the last 2 games of the season. He was clearly looking for an extension, clearly it worked.
 

SoundAndFury

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May 28, 2012
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Well Dinamo signed Peters and Kristo who, on one hand, at one point were very close to an NHL jobs. On the other, played themselves out of the AHL pretty much, not to mention losing any kind of relevance to the NHL teams.

Overall, cautiously optimistic about those signings. Concerned Darzins isn't signed yet.
 

ozo

Registered User
Feb 24, 2010
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Damn I somewhat irrationally hated Peters in NHL. Do not like.
 

BalticWarrior

Registered User
Apr 28, 2012
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Riga
Jesus, this team will be garbage and that Ņiživijs and Laviņš combo on the bench :laugh: :laugh: probably two of the worst coaches in Latvia
 
Jun 21, 2016
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Latvia
I would not hope for too much if I were you guys. In best case scenario I see us challenging 8th seed. Our coaching staff is very inexperienced and with players like ours it`s not a good sign.
 

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