KHL trying to steal some thunder?

[DatsyukownzU13 1]

The KHL in Russia seems to be trying to sign more and more NHL players, despite a majority being either washed-up or NHL rejects. It seems like they are just trying to draw some publicity to their league with all these signings and the big money being thrown around. Think it's possible that the KHL could ever rival the NHL?

List of NHL/North Americans that have left for the KHL this year:

Salavat Yulaev: Radulov

Lokomotiv: Vasicek

Metallurg: Pilar

Ak Bars: Dubielewicz, Kapanen

CSKA: Khomutov

SKA: Zyuzin, Brylin

Dinamo: Rachunek, Tolpeko

Severstal: Kwiatkowski, Krog

Atlant: Emery

Avangard: Grahame, Jagr

Spartak: Baranka, Radivojevic, Ruzicka

Amur: Lampman, Wanvig

Vityaz: Simon

Dinamo Riga: Hossa, Ellison

Sibir: York

Barys: Stumpel

[Cicada 4]

apart from Radolov they're all borderline or old players...

nothing to worry about, yet

[octopusonice 0]

Didn't the WHL try to do the same thing?

It remains to be seen. It looks like some of the teams out there are willing to use loss leaders in the form of these ridiculous contracts to get the thing going. I question whether the economics can support it. What kind of TV contracts do they have? That's where the money comes from.

As far as I can recall, no league in a major sport has been able to put a well established league in the same sport out of business. The most that has happened is a merger.

Edited July 11, 2008 by octopusonice

[3chrisosgood0 7]

nothing to major there outside of radulov jagr and emery

and those last two are not all that special

maybe one day if they landed a malkin like player then it would be some cause fo concern

[Hank 0]

Jamie Heward played in the RSL last season and he was recently on XM speaking about his experiences.

While he admitted that there are a few teams in the RSL and in Europe that could probably skate with a few of the NHL teams, he said the arena's and general conditions of this KHL are so pathetic that they are, and I quote "at least 20 years away from competing with the NHL".

He went on to say that on average the RSL/KHL is probably on the same scale or lower than the AHL in terms of skill. But as far as amenities like good buildings, hotels, air accomadations and travel, the KHL is in the stone ages.

He said one team was so far east it was a 6-hour flight from it's closest team.

As far as I'm concerned the KHL is doing the NHL a favor. It's taking all the washed up European players, and North American skaters nobody wants any more.

Think of it as an eager Garage Sale Hunter. You put out all the crap you no longer need or want, and they scoop it up like it's gold. Sure, there might be a gem or two in there, but you're still going to have all the things you want and need.

So let this league have that old 1972 couch and Hulla-dancer Lamp.

[lfd250 1]

The KHL in Russia seems to be trying to sign more and more NHL players, despite a majority being either washed-up or NHL rejects. It seems like they are just trying to draw some publicity to their league with all these signings and the big money being thrown around. Think it's possible that the KHL could ever rival the NHL?

List of NHL/North Americans that have left for the KHL this year:

Salavat Yulaev: Radulov eh

Lokomotiv: Vasicek who

Metallurg: Pilar who

Ak Bars: Dubielewicz, Kapanen who

CSKA: Khomutov who

SKA: Zyuzin, Brylin who

Dinamo: Rachunek, Tolpeko who

Severstal: Kwiatkowski, Krog who

Atlant: Emery Problem Child

Avangard: Grahame, Jagr eh

Spartak: Baranka, Radivojevic, Ruzicka who

Amur: Lampman, Wanvig who

Vityaz: Simon who

Dinamo Riga: Hossa, Ellison eh

Sibir: York eh

Barys: Stumpel eh

[Hank 0]

Exactly!

You could mention the name 'Vacicek' to 1,000,000 NHL fans and most would say "who?".

[jawbreaker 0]

Russian media says that SKA is offering contract to Brendan Shanahan. I doubt that he will go, 'cos it's too far from Boston

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Russian media says that SKA is offering contract to Brendan Shanahan. I doubt that he will go, 'cos it's too far from Boston

I honestly believe Shanny would retire before going to Europe.

[Hank 0]

I honestly believe Shanny would retire before going to Europe.

I think he would too. Besides, I think he has too much left in the tank for an NHL team not to give him a chance.

Boston would be a perfect fit for him.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

I think he would too. Besides, I think he has too much left in the tank for an NHL team not to give him a chance.

Boston would be a perfect fit for him.

Boston or Montreal seem like perfect places for Shanny to go.

[Opie 308]

Shanny could be the B's new Murray!!

Bloated contract, overpaid and depleting in the skill category living solely off of reputation.

They will sign him to 4 years, to impress the locals all they will care about is the name, and in 2 years he will be weighing the team down!

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Shanny could be the B's new Murray!!

Bloated contract, overpaid and depleting in the skill category living solely off of reputation.

They will sign him to 4 years, to impress the locals all they will care about is the name, and in 2 years he will be weighing the team down!

I was thinking more of a 3.5 million 1 year deal, 20 goals and good leadership for Savard, Kessel, Lucic and Bergeron. Have Boston bought out Murray yet Opie?

[Opie 308]

There have been talks of him being bought out but I haven't heard anything, but when it comes to B's news I have only been paying attention to is Bergeron (I spelled it right this time!!!) related.

[DyingAlive 27]

I still can't believe that Dubielewicz signed with Ak Bars.

I loved him when he played for the Sound Tigers, and briefly when he actually played with the Islanders.

Sad to see him leave.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

I don't think you guys are taking this seriously enough.

It doesn't matter that these guys aren't star players because a team can't be full of star players. However, some of these guys are solid role players, and many of them I would never have expected to play in Russia.

All this can only be the beginning of a nasty trend of players jumping to play overseas. It's bad enough for teams to worry that their players might play for some other NHL team, but now they also have to worry about the foreign teams, which wasn't that big a deal in the past.

[uk_redwing 495]

European hockey is like watching paint dry.

its sooooo slow!

[Outsider 42]

I still can't believe that Dubielewicz signed with Ak Bars.

I loved him when he played for the Sound Tigers, and briefly when he actually played with the Islanders.

Sad to see him leave.

You and me both. He was treated shoddily by the Isles Org on his departure.

Surprise, surprise....

<sigh>

[Outsider 42]

I don't think you guys are taking this seriously enough.

It doesn't matter that these guys aren't star players because a team can't be full of star players. However, some of these guys are solid role players, and many of them I would never have expected to play in Russia.

All this can only be the beginning of a nasty trend of players jumping to play overseas. It's bad enough for teams to worry that their players might play for some other NHL team, but now they also have to worry about the foreign teams, which wasn't that big a deal in the past.

You can thank Gary Bettman, the Owners, and all the fans who vowed that they'd pay to see Replacment Players before they'd give one more dime to the "greedy Players".

They got their Cap. They got their max entry level contract. They got everything they wanted.

There's always a price to be paid. For everything. And, as always, it will be the FANS, fans of the small market Teams in particular, who will bear the heaviest burden.

Gary Bettman and the Owners are seeing their chickens come home to roost. And this is just the beginning, believe me.