Sweden might withdraw from Player Transfer Agreement

[FinRedWing 172]

I haven't seen this anywhere else,I only have link for Finnish site.

http://www.mtv3.fi/urheilu/hockeynight/uutiset

Edit: link for the Sweden's biggest newspaper:

http://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/hock...ticle1354491.ab

Basically it says that Sweden is going to withdraw from player transfer agreement,'cause Swedish teams are sick of losing their best players to the NHL at such a young age. Most of them are going directly to the AHL.

Chairman of the Swedish ice hockey federation,Christer Englund says: " We have calculated that we've lost 65 players to the NHL this year alone. Only 7 of them are playing in the NHL".

They're currently negotiating with IIHF over this matter,seems like even IIHF is starting to question the deal Europeans have with the NHL.

If IIHF doesn't resist,Sweden has until 1.1.2008 to withdraw from their agreement.

[Guest jaytan]

I agree with them. I don't like how our league has to destroy all of the European league's talent bases and as a result offer fewer opportunities for our own home-grown talent.

[omnipotent_hudler 0]

If anyone was looking for a harbinger of an impending Wings decline, here it is.

[Anomalously 0]

If anyone was looking for a harbinger of an impending Wings decline, here it is.

Why? We can pay more to get our players, whereas other teams have financial limitations and can't.

[omnipotent_hudler 0]

Why? We can pay more to get our players, whereas other teams have financial limitations and can't.

The Wings have always(since illitch) drawn their strength from the draft. Its generally considered to be the best way to build a team up. Going after big name FA's with large amounts of $$$$(especially in the cap era) isn't going to produce successful teams most of the time. We've been able to transition pretty smoothly from a 3 time stanely cup winning team to a team that is still challenging for it with no "slump" period not because we went out and got big name FA's but because we were able to find gems in the draft. We have the best Swedish scouting team in the NHL at the moment. A lack of players from Sweden will hurt us simply because we are set up right now as a team that can find diamonds in the rough from Sweden more than any other country.

[Guest paveldatsukthenextsavard]

yeah this could make hollands job more difficult

[eva unit zero 271]

The Wings have always(since illitch) drawn their strength from the draft. Its generally considered to be the best way to build a team up. Going after big name FA's with large amounts of $$$$(especially in the cap era) isn't going to produce successful teams most of the time. We've been able to transition pretty smoothly from a 3 time stanely cup winning team to a team that is still challenging for it with no "slump" period not because we went out and got big name FA's but because we were able to find gems in the draft. We have the best Swedish scouting team in the NHL at the moment. A lack of players from Sweden will hurt us simply because we are set up right now as a team that can find diamonds in the rough from Sweden more than any other country.

What Anomalously meant, correctly, is that the Wings can afford to pay the exorbinant transfer fees that Swedes might start charging, while other teams can't. If anything, this would allow the Wings BETTER access to Swedes as more of the top Swedish players will fall lower in the draft, but could still be brought over by a team with the right finances.

[Kp-Wings 3]

This might actually force Holland to draft some Canadians and Americans for once. Might not be such a bad deal after all, because this team needs some North Americans.

Edited November 29, 2007 by Kp-Wings

[eva unit zero 271]

This might actually force Holland to draft some Canadians and Americans for once. Might not be such a bad deal after all, because this team needs some North Americans. I don't care if they draft Europeans and what not, because there are plenty of good players there, but I really don't care for the fact that only 6 out of our 14 forwards are North American, and the team in general has way more Europeans. Some balance would be nice, for once.

Yeah, Holland hasn't drafted any North American players in the first or second round the past couple seasons...except Justin Abdelkader, Shawn Matthias, Cory Emmerton, Brendan Smith, or Zack Torquato. He's also drafted guys like Darren Helm, Logan Pyett, Kyle Quincey, Evan McGrath, Ryan Oulahen, Randy Cameron. But yeah...Holland only drafts European players.

[akustyk 84]

so where is this "greedy Swedes" bashing etc.?

why everybody was bashing Russia when it refused to sign agreement and with Sweden there's no longer any chat of di*holes, etc.?

I totally agree with them. even more now that Buttman is talking of withdrawing NHL players from Olympics. seriously, who can blame Russians or Swedes for this situation if their national audience is no longer able to watch home grown talent except for 1:00 AM games at Sopcast? anyone?

about time to show some middle finger to NHL which drains the talent from Europe and refuses to let it go even to Winter Games.

I'm fully expecting to see Czechs and Finns doing similar thing. or for once Buttman recognizes Europe is not just a playschool to shop young talent but is as much hockey-frenzy as Canada/US. well... with US it's not that difficult. kids in european hockey countries know more about NHL teams than usual American

[SweWings 45]

so where is this "greedy Swedes" bashing etc.?

why everybody was bashing Russia when it refused to sign agreement and with Sweden there's no longer any chat of di*holes, etc.?

Not really the same history of problems with player transfers I guess.

I totally agree with them. even more now that Buttman is talking of withdrawing NHL players from Olympics. seriously, who can blame Russians or Swedes for this situation if their national audience is no longer able to watch home grown talent except for 1:00 AM games at Sopcast? anyone?

Well I don't mind. Detroit has been my absolutely favorite club team for most of my life.

about time to show some middle finger to NHL which drains the talent from Europe and refuses to let it go even to Winter Games.

I'm fully expecting to see Czechs and Finns doing similar thing. or for once Buttman recognizes Europe is not just a playschool to shop young talent but is as much hockey-frenzy as Canada/US. well... with US it's not that difficult. kids in european hockey countries know more about NHL teams than usual American

I think the biggest problem with the current agreement is the fact that players from Europe are signed to contracts a lot earlier than they used to be. In general that's not a good thing. Sure if it is a player that's more or less ready to play for the big club but if not then I think most players develop and mature better in a familiar environment. The best ones also get to play for the national team in the WC which is top notch training.

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

Yeah, Holland hasn't drafted any North American players in the first or second round the past couple seasons...except Justin Abdelkader, Shawn Matthias, Cory Emmerton, Brendan Smith, or Zack Torquato. He's also drafted guys like Darren Helm, Logan Pyett, Kyle Quincey, Evan McGrath, Ryan Oulahen, Randy Cameron. But yeah...Holland only drafts European players.

Damn. Somebody just got owned.

[Opie 308]

Yeah, Holland hasn't drafted any North American players in the first or second round the past couple seasons...except Justin Abdelkader, Shawn Matthias, Cory Emmerton, Brendan Smith, or Zack Torquato. He's also drafted guys like Darren Helm, Logan Pyett, Kyle Quincey, Evan McGrath, Ryan Oulahen, Randy Cameron. But yeah...Holland only drafts European players.

* sniffs, wipes tears away from eyes* Eva you have always been one of my favorite posters *sniffs

[sarcasm]

Logic, realism, what is wrong with you, don't you know that as a red wings fan it is your duty to ignore logic, refuse to research your posts and bash anyone that doesn't draft Big, Hulking players who do little more than drop the mitts, because as you know THIS TEAM NEEDS GRIT AND ENFORCES and since they don't have any it must be Hollands fault and therefore he doesn't draft N. Americans.

Damn you Eva how many times do I have to scold you!!!

[/sarcasm]

[Winged Scooter 0]

Here's a thought, with the already existing problem with Russia, and now possibly Sweden, this will shrink the talent pool considerably. If we go back to they so called "good old days" where the league is consisted of a VAST majority of North American players, would that not FORCE the league into contraction eventually? Seeing as many people consider the talent pool highly deluted already with 30 teams?

And you may all feel free to bash me unmercifully if you think I'm crazy, or disagree... ( I can take it... )

[Louisville 112]

Yeah, Holland hasn't drafted any North American players in the first or second round the past couple seasons...except Justin Abdelkader, Shawn Matthias, Cory Emmerton, Brendan Smith, or Zack Torquato. He's also drafted guys like Darren Helm, Logan Pyett, Kyle Quincey, Evan McGrath, Ryan Oulahen, Randy Cameron. But yeah...Holland only drafts European players.

Oh snap!

[akustyk 84]

Here's a thought,

(...)

Seeing as many people consider the talent pool highly deluted already with 30 teams?

And you may all feel free to bash me unmercifully if you think I'm crazy, or disagree... ( I can take it... )

then take it

because Buttman may as well expand the league with another couple of US teams

[Viperar 16]

Damn. Somebody just got owned.

that they did

[MacK_Attack 108]

What Anomalously meant, correctly, is that the Wings can afford to pay the exorbinant transfer fees that Swedes might start charging, while other teams can't. If anything, this would allow the Wings BETTER access to Swedes as more of the top Swedish players will fall lower in the draft, but could still be brought over by a team with the right finances.

Well, as it sits right now, the NHL has forbidden its teams to pay any transfer fees to Russian teams and I would assume they would do much the same if Sweden opted out.

[eva unit zero 271]

Well, as it sits right now, the NHL has forbidden its teams to pay any transfer fees to Russian teams and I would assume they would do much the same if Sweden opted out.

Yes...but Evgeni Malkin made it over. Also, transfer fees only apply for players under contract; making it more difficult for teams to bring Swedish youngsters over is going to reduce the draft stock of Swedes, but it would actually allow the Wings better access as better Swedes would be available later in the draft, and the Wings can afford to leave them in Sweden until they can be brought over without a headache. The Wings have a history of offering contracts that say 'NHL or home country' to top prospects (Datsyuk, Zetterberg. Grigorenko) and the fact that so many Swedish players are coming over and ending up playing in the AHL is the point of contention.