Malkin and Ovechkin to the KHL?

[ScottM]

I doubt it's going to happen (at least not for several years), but apparently the KHL President is trying to stir the pot.

 

http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/eye-on-hockey/24690597/nhl-rumors-khl-president-hints-at-return-to-russia-for-ovechkin-malkin

[hf101]

@ScottM

 

I read that also via a different link.  I don't think Ovie, Malkin, and Datsyuk are very likely to break their contracts with the NHL, but it will be interesting what happens with these prospects for the future.

 

 

Calgary Flames

 

- Rushan Rafikov, D, 1995. Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. 2013-14: Junior hockey. Contract: 14/15

 

Chicago Blackhawks

 

- Ivan Nalimov, G, 1994. Admiral Vladivostok. 2013-14: Junior hockey. Contract: 15/16

 

Dallas Stars

 

- Dmitry Sinitsyn, D, 1994. Dynamo Moscow. 2013-14: Played in the WHL. Contract: 15/16

 

Detroit Red Wings

 

- Alexander Kadeykin, C, 1993. Atlant Mytischi. 2013-14: 54 G, 8+15, +17. Contract: 14/15

 

Edmonton Oilers

 

- Anton Slepyshev, LW, 1994. Salavat Yulayev Ufa. 2013-14: 36 G, 3+5, +5. Contract: 14/15

 

- Daniil Zharkov, LW, 1994. Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. 2013-14: 49 G, 2+3, +2. Contract: 14/15

 

Florida Panthers

 

- Alexander Delnov, LW, 1994. Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. 2013-14: Played in the WHL. Contract: 15/16

 

Los Angeles Kings

 

- Nikolai Prokhorkin, C, 1993. CSKA Moscow. 2013-14: 52 G, 19+18, +12. Contract: 14/15

 

Nashville Predators

 

- Vladislav Kamenev, C, 1996. Metallurg Magnitogorsk. 2013-14: 16 G, 1+0, -1. Contract: 15/16

 

New Jersey Devils

 

- Artur Gavrus, C, 1994, Dinamo Minsk. 2013-14: 30 G, 1+3, -11. Contract: 14/15

 

New York Islanders

 

- Kirill Petrov, RW, 1990. Ak Bars Kazan. 2013-14: 53 G, 14+15, +11. Contract: 15/16.

- Ilya Sorokin, G, 1995. Metallurg Novokuznetsk. 2013-14: 27 G, 2.90 GAA, .911. Contract: 16/17

 

New York Rangers

 

- Pavel Buchnevich, W, 1995. Severstal Cherepovets. 2013-14: 40 G, 7+11, -1. Contract: 14/15

- Mikhail Pashnin, D, 1989. Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. 2013-14: 32G, 0+3, +9. Contract: 14/15

- Igor Shestyorkin, G, 1995. SKA St. Petersburg. 2013-14: 9 G, 2.80 GAA, .903. Contract: 14/15

 

 Philadelphia Flyers

 

- Valeri Vasilyev, D, 1994. Avangard Omsk. 2013-14: 36 G, 0+3, -9. Contract: 15/16

 

San Jose Sharks

 

- Emil Galimov, RW, 1992. Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. 2013-14: 43 G, 7+5, -5. Contract: 16/17

 

St. Louis Blues

 

- Santeri Saari, D, 1994, Jokerit Helsinki. 2013-14: Played in Finland. Contract: 15/16

 

Tampa Bay Lightning

 

Alex Burmistrov {Photo Credit: Dustin Hall @ http://www.dustinhall.ca}

Alex Burmistrov {Photo Credit: Dustin Hall @ http://www.dustinhall.ca}

- Nikita Gusev, LW, 1992. Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. 2013-14: 44 G, 8+6, -6. Contract: 15/16

 

Vancouver Canucks

 

- Nikita Tryamkin, D, 1994. Avtomobilist Ekaterinburg. 2013-14: 45G, 1+6, +2. Contract: 15/16. Interview with Nikita Tryamkin; feature about Nikita Tryamkin.

 

Winnipeg Jets

 

- Alexander Burmistrov, C, 1991. Ak Bars Kazan. 2013-14: 54 G, 10+27, +6. Contract: 14/15

- Pavel Kraskovsky, C, 1996. Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. 2013-14: 8 G, 1+0, +1. Contract: 15/16

- Ivan Telegin, W, 1992. CSKA Moscow. 2013-14: did not play (suspended, injured). Contract: 15/16

http://thehockeywriters.com/thws-list-of-prospects-playing-in-the-khl/

[ScottM]

@hf101 I don't think the KHL is ready to truly compete with the NHL for many top players yet since the money is so much better here, but it has made some surprising strides. If I were to guess, the vast majority of those named will end up in the NHL if they prove to have the skill, but I wouldn't dismiss the idea of a couple of them going to Europe.

 

On a semi-related note, do you think the KHL might end up turning itself into a European Super League at some point? It almost seems to be headed in that direction now.

[jammer2]

@ScottM  Great article on the KHL, a tad long, but worth the time, it sheds a lot of light on the subject. Sidenote, the upper echelon of the KHL has more money then the NHL could ever dream of....stars like OV would be given at least 20 mill...hell, maybe even 30 mill a year. The real difference maker is the endorsements, not their salary. If they could make the same money off endorsements in Europe, they will be gone soon, I can really see it happening.

 

 http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/2012/01/06/khl_gunslinging_owners_drugs_dodgy_air_travel_all_part_of_the_game.html

[ruxpin]

They're Russian. They could go play for Donetsk and ALSO not be in Eastern Ukraine. (wink wink)

[yave1964]

I have been saying for a long time that the KHL is formidable and needs to be kept an eye on. I agree with HF, the kids coming up may decide to stay in Russia rather than come here. Kuznetsov took forever to come to Washington, Jori Lehtera who just came over to the Blues spent four years in the KHL honing his craft, he is 26 and should be a solid 2nd line center for a long time and nearly never came over.

That said, I think the Ovie and Malkin talk is just that, talk. The two leagues have a no poaching policy,both players are under long term deals and the Caps and Pens are not in the position the Devils were in a few years ago with Kovy.

What I do think will happen is Russian stars will get longer term deals, like Malkin and Ovie to guarantee they will never leave to return to the motherland. It is one hell of a negotiating point.

[jammer2]

@yave1964   It's in the NHL's best interest to keep the no poaching agreement going. If that did not exist, the NHL would be screwed, at least when it came to Europeans. The NHL has a max salary to deal with, the KHL can play their stars whatever they want.

[Vanflyer]

On a semi-related note, do you think the KHL might end up turning itself into a European Super League at some point? It almost seems to be headed in that direction now.

 

Its a good question. Outside of Russia, Czech and the Scandinavian leagues (ie Finland, Norway and Sweden), I don't think there is a deep enough talent pool to form a European super league. Also, while the KHL has deep pockets, if you were to expand into other european markets, I don't think they have near enough capital to attract the talent level to build competitive teams and make a European Super league.

 

I also think that allot of the drawl for Russian players to play in the KHL is cultural (ie. native language, etc.).  

[nossagog]

With the current political climate in Europe with what Putin is doing, I don't think a European Super League would be able to form up for quite some time.   What I would worry about is with the way Putin is running Russia, he may make it harder for Russians to leave the country, making it harder for players to play in other leagues.

[ScottM]

With the current political climate in Europe with what Putin is doing, I don't think a European Super League would be able to form up for quite some time.   What I would worry about is with the way Putin is running Russia, he may make it harder for Russians to leave the country, making it harder for players to play in other leagues.

 

Having been to Russia once, I can tell you that traveling TO Russia isn't exactly the simplest thing in the world. It seems like the KHL is trying to make a run at a Super League, but you may be right about politics getting in the way.