CALGARY -- Bill Peters is expecting the Calgary Flames to gain a competitive advantage heading into the season by participating in the 2018 O.R.G NHL China Games.
The Flames will play against the Boston Bruins in two preseason games: in Shenzhen, China, on Sept. 15, and in Beijing on Sept. 19.
Peters, who was hired by the Flames on April 23 after coaching the Carolina Hurricanes the past four seasons, hopes the trip will play an integral part in bringing his new team together.
"It's huge for our coaching staff," Peters said. "Instead of 70 and three teams, we're at 26 and one group. We're taking five lines, eight D and three goaltenders. We know what we're going to do with the games in Shenzhen and Beijing, and we're excited to get over there.
"It's exciting to go to China because it's a tighter group and a smaller group and you spend some time together. When we get over there, we're going to have four practices, two games, a pregame skate, we play an afternoon game in Shenzhen, we go to the Great Wall of China, we fly home. It's outstanding. Let's get there. Let's get started. … I'm ready."
After missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season, the Flames acquired forward Elias Lindholm and defenseman Noah Hanifin in a trade with the Hurricanes on June 23. They also signed forwards James Neal, Derek Ryan and Austin Czarnik in free agency.
The games in China will be the first opportunity for them to develop a chemistry with the Flames' core.
"I can't remember the last camp where you basically start with a lot of your team right off the start of camp and are able to travel together and go away together and spend that week plus as a team," captain Mark Giordano said. "We've got to use it the right way. We've got to get all that stuff, that team bonding, those things out of the way and bring it on the ice.
"It's going to be a cool experience. It's a part of the world that not many of us have been. In saying that, when we get there, we really have to not lose focus. We're still in camp, and we still have to get going and get into game shape and get those exhibition games, get that feel back."
Lindholm, who had 44 points (16 goals, 28 assists) in 81 games with the Hurricanes last season, said the trip presents a good opportunity to get acquainted with some of his new teammates.
"It's good to get to know everyone," he said. "Especially for me coming here, I don't know too many guys so it's a lot of new faces. It's good for me, especially, and good for the group as well. You get to know each other and go for dinners and hang out."
Sean Monahan, who led the Flames with 31 goals last season, agreed.
"We've got a lot of new faces," Monahan said. "I think the best time of the hockey season is when you're on the road. You basically spend day and night with the guys on your team, fly together, play cards, get to know each other. It's when the real bonds happen.
"To start the season off on that note is going to be huge. Our flight is 15 hours. I think you'll get to know a lot of each other. I think it's going to be a great experience and I look forward to that."
Monahan also said being able to practice and play two preseason games with a trimmed roster is something that will help Calgary begin the season on the right note.
"A lot of training camps, you have those three teams and you're playing with guys who are trying to make it from junior and [American Hockey League] guys and PTO guys," he said. "To have the majority of the team together, that's great, especially in the situation we are in.
"You've got a new coaching staff, a lot of new faces, and we'll be running a lot of new systems. To get to know those systems and get to know each other quicker, it's going to benefit our club a lot."
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