KHL = Extortion?

[Chadd 916]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?...cupplayoffsblog

Apparently, Medvedev informed the union chief the KHL will hold its first 17-year-old player draft next month. Those players will sign five-year deals with the KHL teams that select them. In the five years after that, those players will be considered restricted free agents with their Russian teams able to match any contract offer from NHL or European teams around the world. The bottom line is that KHL teams, theoretically, could hold on to these players through the age of 27.

[JohnnyCanuck 0]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?...cupplayoffsblog

Apparently, Medvedev informed the union chief the KHL will hold its first 17-year-old player draft next month. Those players will sign five-year deals with the KHL teams that select them. In the five years after that, those players will be considered restricted free agents with their Russian teams able to match any contract offer from NHL or European teams around the world. The bottom line is that KHL teams, theoretically, could hold on to these players through the age of 27.

LeBrun fails to mention that these 17 year old kids will have to actually sign a contract.

If I am some kid from Siberia that is an excellent hockey player that has grown up idolozing Pavel Datsyuk the likelyhood of me signing a contract with Avangard Omsk or Ufa before the Blackhawks or Redwings or Lightning drafting me is slim to none.

No labour court in the world is going to say that a pro sports league/team/entity drafting me means I am tied to a contract that I didn't sign.

Instead you are likely to see, in lieu of a working agreement between the NHL and KHL, is NHL teams spending more money on agents/scouts to go to Europe to advise kids to go the NCAA and CHL route, get to North America and get drafted into the NHL.

Someone had better get to these kids from our side of the water first because you would probably see the NHL viewing these kids as "damaged goods" if what Medvedev threats as coming to fruition does... The likelyhood of a return tot he KHL if you fail at the NHL level is more than a move to the NHL from the KHL (Just look at the struggles of some mature guys leaving Euro leagues and coming to the NHL like Fabian Brunnstrom and what Gustavvson will see this offseason)

[Chadd 916]

Given the reach of organized crime in Russia, good luck declining the contract.

[JohnnyCanuck 0]

Ah, good call. Forgot all about that one ;)

I know it is a soccer themed book, but it has a good chunk of Hockey stuff in it too, but I read a book called "The Fix" and it details organized crime in sports, specifically Soccer with a bit on Hockey, specifically in Russia and relating to some big names and a certain former Red Wing player. I highly recommend reading it! It will change the way you view all Pro Sports forever, surprisingly not for the worse, just for more clarity.

[Neal 41]

Given the reach of organized crime in Russia, good luck declining the contract.

Even beyond the leg breaking, how does a 17 year old turn down 5 years of guaranteed tax free income to maybe play in the NHL? Some may be able to, but many will not.

I don't like this type of restriction on how a person may earn their livelihood and choose where they will make their career, but part of me likes the idea of another strong league in the world to rival the NHL. It strikes me that this can only increase interest in hockey. I'm for anything that makes hockey more globally viable even at the expense of a weaker NHL.

A KHL with Scanadavian teams as well as the Eastern European teams would lead to more intrigue in the World Championships and Olympics as well by bringing back some of the mystery about other countries' top players. How good are the best Russians? Pretty damn good, I get to see them play for Washington, Pittsburgh and Detroit on a regular basis. But if they weren't in the NHL the Olympics and World Championships would be even better.

[Chadd 916]

A KHL with Scanadavian teams as well as the Eastern European teams would lead to more intrigue in the World Championships and Olympics as well by bringing back some of the mystery about other countries' top players. How good are the best Russians? Pretty damn good, I get to see them play for Washington, Pittsburgh and Detroit on a regular basis. But if they weren't in the NHL the Olympics and World Championships would be even better.

I don't think many people would be willing to give up a full season of those players so an annual tournament might be a little less predictable.

[chippa13 1844]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?...cupplayoffsblog

Apparently, Medvedev informed the union chief the KHL will hold its first 17-year-old player draft next month. Those players will sign five-year deals with the KHL teams that select them. In the five years after that, those players will be considered restricted free agents with their Russian teams able to match any contract offer from NHL or European teams around the world. The bottom line is that KHL teams, theoretically, could hold on to these players through the age of 27.

LeBrun fails to mention that these 17 year old kids will have to actually sign a contract.

If I am some kid from Siberia that is an excellent hockey player that has grown up idolozing Pavel Datsyuk the likelyhood of me signing a contract with Avangard Omsk or Ufa before the Blackhawks or Redwings or Lightning drafting me is slim to none.

No labour court in the world is going to say that a pro sports league/team/entity drafting me means I am tied to a contract that I didn't sign.

Instead you are likely to see, in lieu of a working agreement between the NHL and KHL, is NHL teams spending more money on agents/scouts to go to Europe to advise kids to go the NCAA and CHL route, get to North America and get drafted into the NHL.

Someone had better get to these kids from our side of the water first because you would probably see the NHL viewing these kids as "damaged goods" if what Medvedev threats as coming to fruition does... The likelyhood of a return tot he KHL if you fail at the NHL level is more than a move to the NHL from the KHL (Just look at the struggles of some mature guys leaving Euro leagues and coming to the NHL like Fabian Brunnstrom and what Gustavvson will see this offseason)

Does the KHL have a rookie cap? I wouldn't be so sure about kids chasing the dream instead of chasing the dollar.

[JohnnyCanuck 0]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?...cupplayoffsblog

Apparently, Medvedev informed the union chief the KHL will hold its first 17-year-old player draft next month. Those players will sign five-year deals with the KHL teams that select them. In the five years after that, those players will be considered restricted free agents with their Russian teams able to match any contract offer from NHL or European teams around the world. The bottom line is that KHL teams, theoretically, could hold on to these players through the age of 27.

LeBrun fails to mention that these 17 year old kids will have to actually sign a contract.

If I am some kid from Siberia that is an excellent hockey player that has grown up idolozing Pavel Datsyuk the likelyhood of me signing a contract with Avangard Omsk or Ufa before the Blackhawks or Redwings or Lightning drafting me is slim to none.

No labour court in the world is going to say that a pro sports league/team/entity drafting me means I am tied to a contract that I didn't sign.

Instead you are likely to see, in lieu of a working agreement between the NHL and KHL, is NHL teams spending more money on agents/scouts to go to Europe to advise kids to go the NCAA and CHL route, get to North America and get drafted into the NHL.

Someone had better get to these kids from our side of the water first because you would probably see the NHL viewing these kids as "damaged goods" if what Medvedev threats as coming to fruition does... The likelyhood of a return tot he KHL if you fail at the NHL level is more than a move to the NHL from the KHL (Just look at the struggles of some mature guys leaving Euro leagues and coming to the NHL like Fabian Brunnstrom and what Gustavvson will see this offseason)

Does the KHL have a rookie cap? I wouldn't be so sure about kids chasing the dream instead of chasing the dollar.

No it doesn't thus Radulov playing there vs here. Long term the ability to develop and grow while earning very good money is in the NHL. Those owners will only pay silly money to the guys willing to go play there in the twilight of their careers such as Jagr.

[Neal 41]

A KHL with Scanadavian teams as well as the Eastern European teams would lead to more intrigue in the World Championships and Olympics as well by bringing back some of the mystery about other countries' top players. How good are the best Russians? Pretty damn good, I get to see them play for Washington, Pittsburgh and Detroit on a regular basis. But if they weren't in the NHL the Olympics and World Championships would be even better.

I don't think many people would be willing to give up a full season of those players so an annual tournament might be a little less predictable.

That may be, but I'm not most people. I'm not trying to speak for anyone here, just myself. And I'm trying to think beyond just the NHL to what is best for hockey globally. The NHL is really just a corporation.

I enjoyed the NHL before there were any Russians playing in it and only a few Europeans. I'll still enjoy it if some or most of them stay overseas to play in "their" leagues.

[JJ Thompson94 0]

Man Typical Russia. My parents ran away from that country about 35 years ago and even after the fall of "communisum". it's still a country run by criminals trying to cheat their way to success.

Are people really worried about a league where their best player (jagr) already wants out. Will the NHL lose a few good players yea. yeah those players like Datsyuk and Nabokov. Players that would be drafted in the late rounds in the NHL will probably decide to go for the big bucks in the KHL but if an 18 year old kid is being told he could be a first round pick in the NHL, why would they stick around for the KHL.

In the long run corruption never works. It will eventually bring down the league. Plus who really cares. So we'll lose a few russian players. The great ones will still want to play against the greatest competion which is still in the NHL.

[shooter27 116]

Isn't there a provision in Russia that an employee can terminate any contract with 60 or 90 day written notice? I remember something like that occurred recently with a player, he signed in the NHL, the KHL tried to fight it, lost and, since they're aren't part of the IIHF transfer agreement, got a big zero for the player.

[donkey87 0]

A Russian employee can terminate a contract with two weeks notice (as done by Malkin), however in 2008 the law was revised. Under the revised law athletes can no longer terminate a contract with two weeks notice.

[chippa13 1844]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?...cupplayoffsblog

Apparently, Medvedev informed the union chief the KHL will hold its first 17-year-old player draft next month. Those players will sign five-year deals with the KHL teams that select them. In the five years after that, those players will be considered restricted free agents with their Russian teams able to match any contract offer from NHL or European teams around the world. The bottom line is that KHL teams, theoretically, could hold on to these players through the age of 27.

LeBrun fails to mention that these 17 year old kids will have to actually sign a contract.

If I am some kid from Siberia that is an excellent hockey player that has grown up idolozing Pavel Datsyuk the likelyhood of me signing a contract with Avangard Omsk or Ufa before the Blackhawks or Redwings or Lightning drafting me is slim to none.

No labour court in the world is going to say that a pro sports league/team/entity drafting me means I am tied to a contract that I didn't sign.

Instead you are likely to see, in lieu of a working agreement between the NHL and KHL, is NHL teams spending more money on agents/scouts to go to Europe to advise kids to go the NCAA and CHL route, get to North America and get drafted into the NHL.

Someone had better get to these kids from our side of the water first because you would probably see the NHL viewing these kids as "damaged goods" if what Medvedev threats as coming to fruition does... The likelyhood of a return tot he KHL if you fail at the NHL level is more than a move to the NHL from the KHL (Just look at the struggles of some mature guys leaving Euro leagues and coming to the NHL like Fabian Brunnstrom and what Gustavvson will see this offseason)

Does the KHL have a rookie cap? I wouldn't be so sure about kids chasing the dream instead of chasing the dollar.

No it doesn't thus Radulov playing there vs here. Long term the ability to develop and grow while earning very good money is in the NHL. Those owners will only pay silly money to the guys willing to go play there in the twilight of their careers such as Jagr.

There are quite a few younger Ruskies who decided to take the million or two a year in the KHL over developing in the "A". Zinovjev is a player that immediately comes to mind. He left the Providence Bruins for a million dollar a year deal in Russia a few years back.