Confirmed Signing with Link: Joe Thornton signs with HC Davos in Switzerland

[sabresEH]

I know he isn't doing it for the money, it's more of a lifestyle choice for him at his age, he has made plenty of money in his long career. But, i'm surprised he is the first NHL'er of note to do so. With so many league minimum contracts being signed you would think a smart agent and player would have signed in Europe for more money, easier schedule and if they do well they can sign back in the NHL after the Euro season ends. Double dip if you will. They are currently playing and the NHL won't start for months. Perfect opportunity to double dip, I don't think there is a rule against it. I may be wrong.

I think Joe having a Swiss passport and not taking up an import slot is a big reason why he signed and other stars haven’t.

 

[fahad203]

Who doesn't want to be in the land of Ace of Base, hot blondes, and delicious meatballs?

Ace of Base is Swedish?

 

[Lolonegoal]

Some key stereotype level differences that make it easier to keep track:

Switzerland: Central Europe - German, Italian and/or French language - one of the smallest surface countries in Europe - lots of high mountains - downhill skiing - yodeling - chocolate.

Sweden: Northern Europe - Swedish language - one of the biggest surface countries in Europe - not very mountainous, more rolling hills - cross country skiing - Volvo/IKEA - meatballs.

Dont forget about death metal

 

[TBF1972]

Those are both Swedish ya good!
Hell Volvo's are as good as Chinese now.

Both have nothing to do with Switzerland.

I'm teaching you this because you made an ass of yourself here, don't make an ass of yourself out there!

kamprad lived in switzerland for years.
and probably the black money of the volvo management team is booked in a swiss bank.

 

[DropTheGloves]

Ace of Base is Swedish?

Of course. How did you miss all the signs?

 

[MarkusKetterer]

Of course. How did you miss all the signs?

It’s been a cruel summer

 

[hirawl]

They should bring back Nash too.

And Nik Hagman. Ooh boy did they ever kill it the last time around.

 

[Karl Eriksson]

Who doesn't want to be in the land of Ace of Base, hot blondes, and delicious meatballs?

he will thrive in Sweden.

 

[The Worst One]

Makes sense, he loves IKEA and drives a Volvo.

Both IKEA and Volvo are Swedish, ya f***ing lock jammer.

 

[sxvnert]

Makes sense since he spends the summers there.

 

[Shocker]

Stop being offended by everything, lol goodness

If you think that not finding something funny = offended, i don't think you're qualified enough to have an opinion about anything.

This is not me being offended, i think i have to point this out considering the context.

 

[ffh]

He’s played for HC Davos before during both lockouts.

there's a word for that. he's a billionaire that doesnt need to be taking someone job who can use the money for the 3rd time.

 

[Kaner9]

Thornton seems like the guy who wants to play hockey and have a good time. Not necessarily chase the cup at all costs. This isn't shocking especially with his wife coming from that country.

 

[Mafoofoo]

Thornton seems like the guy who wants to play hockey and have a good time. Not necessarily chase the cup at all costs. This isn't shocking especially with his wife coming from that country.

Say what you will about him but you cannot deny his love of playing the game.

 

[Blue Line Turnover]

he will thrive in Sweden.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this will be the first time that he will be donning the "Tre Kronner"?

 

[coletta44]

Makes sense,quality of life is top shelf in Switzerland and it seems Joe cares about that.Would you blame him?

 

[DrSteveBrule]

Makes sense,quality of life is top shelf in Switzerland and it seems Joe cares about that.Would you blame him?

Don’t know who could.

 

[Coachcorner]

Makes sense since he spends the summers there.

Exactly, sire. And after this 2 month stint, he'll be a Maple Leaf for life sire I'm so loving life right now since we are doing it back to the pat quinn days. Vets, thugs, hittas, heavy, old, presence, hard. Everything. This is what makes the REAL maple leaf fan tic hard. This is all we ask. We might lose, after winning some. But our motto was then: If a sucka loses, lose hard. That's life and we all loved it. Now its back.

 

[lakeshirts37]

Stop being offended by everything, lol goodness

Not offended in the slightest lol. It’s just objectively not funny.

 

[lakeshirts37]

Yes it was

No, it wasn’t lol.

 

[Blade Runner]

Sharks won't win the cup in the next years, good choice.

 

[Mr Fahrenheit]

Sharks won't win the cup in the next years, good choice.

There are no Sharks in the Swedish league, I checked

 

[mattihp]

Some key stereotype level differences that make it easier to keep track:

Switzerland: Central Europe - German, Italian and/or French language - one of the smallest surface countries in Europe - lots of high mountains - downhill skiing - yodeling - chocolate.

Sweden: Northern Europe - Swedish language - one of the biggest surface countries in Europe - not very mountainous, more rolling hills - cross country skiing - Volvo/IKEA - meatballs.

The ones accidently getting swedish chocolate and swiss meatballs would be very disappointed

 

[BruinLVGA]

What I got out of this. 31 time champs?!?! What are there 2 teams?

It was mostly in the very early, "primitive" era. In one form or another, the Swiss league existed since 1909.

HC Davos won the championship 8 times from 1961 to now (last in 2015).

They won 23 times from 1926 to 1960. In those days, being in a colder region, like the canton (= state) of Graubünden (=where Davos is) is, was a significant advantage.
Think of this... Out of 34 seasons from 1926 to 1960, only 3 seasons saw a team from outside Graubünden win the championship. For 31 seasons, the winners were Davos (23), Arosa (7), St Moritz (1).

I hope this helps.

 

[BSHH]

He lives in Switzerland in the offseason -- as that is where he met his wife.

Whatever deal he made with Davos would also likely include an out should he sign an NHL contract.

For a guy signing at league minimum (in the context of the 27 year olds), the prospect of leaving North America for Europe in the middle of a pandemic is not exactly exciting, as well, it poses the risk that whatever roster spot they would have gotten in the NHL gets taken up by somebody who is available to start the year.

Without being an expert, I would easily trust the Swiss health care system over any other. The virus also seems to be much more widespread in the US than in Switzerland.

Gruß,
BSHH