(Viktor) Kozlov going to the KHL, too

[Datsyerberger 279]

http://www.rds.ca/hockey/chroniques/275398.html

There ya go. So much for a Russian ensemble on the Caps.

I have no idea what any of that says, by the way.

Edited May 26, 2009 by Datsyerberger

[Guest Shoreline]

At least these are guys around the end of their careers. Not exactly a big loss over him and Fedorov.

Edited May 26, 2009 by Shoreline

[Datsyerberger 279]

At least these are guys around the end of their careers. Not exactly a big loss over him and Fedorov.

My guess is that the contracts they got are bigger than they + their agent expect they could get in free agency, plus the chance to settle in back home at the twilight of their careers. They both still could easily hold roster spots in the NHL (and are both still rather useful, really).

[Guest Shoreline]

It's great PR for the KHL too, given the back-and-forth nature of the contract disputes, and Russian/European leagues not being terribly happy with virtually all of the skilled players coming to the NHL. In a sense the Sport-Express or other news/media outlets there can embellish this to mean the NHL is fading, but in reality they're getting guys who can't make it in the NHL, or are at the end of their careers and want more money than they'd be getting from here (partly thanks to the economy and cap era both rearing their money-conscious heads).

Edited May 26, 2009 by Shoreline

[drfnr14 0]

wow, everyones leaven, who's next?

[ilmickeyli 40]

Samsonov is my guess

[P. Marlowe 748]

Samsonov is my guess

I wouldn't say... He's only 30 and had his best season in years.

[Guest Shoreline]

Who's next? Maybe Kovalev, Khabibulin?

Look, the Superleague/KHL is a retirement home for the most part, for Russian NHLers.

Zelepukin? Tverdovsky? Zhitnik? Zhamnov? Nikolishin? Boris Mironov? Titov? Yashin? Morozov? I can keep going on and on..

These were all decent/great Russian NHLers that went there after a semi-lengthy or lengthy NHL career and have or are going to retire there.

Edited May 26, 2009 by Shoreline

[cupcrazy 13]

I have no idea what any of that says, by the way.

Viktor Kozlov (Photo Getty) L Â’ attacking of Capitals of Washington Viktor Kozlov turns over to play in its country.

Kozlov, which could have become autonomous player on first next July, signed a contract with L Â’ Salavat team in the continental League of Russia.

The terms of L Â’ agreement N Â’ were not revealed.

In 897 matches in career in the LNH, Kozlov registered 198 goals and 339 master keys. It also carried the colors of Islanders, Devils, Panthers and Sharks.

Last year with Capitals, the large attacker of 6 ' 4 '' and 232 pounds marked 13 goals and piled up 28 master keys in 67 meetings. In 14 eliminatory matches, it obtained six points including four goals

[grwingfan 21]

No worries about the KHL. That is the NHL retirement league.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

At least these are guys around the end of their careers. Not exactly a big loss over him and Fedorov.

I disagree there. Both the players provided scoring depth, which Washington desperately needs (well not as badly as they need defensemen that actually play defense).

Kozlov isn't a huge loss since he can easily be replaced with a free-agent.

Fedorov is tougher because he was so versatile and was definitely a mentor for Ovechkin. If you watched the Caps in the playoffs it was Feds that Ovi would go to first when he scored and they were constantly talking on the bench.

Fedorov was also one of their best face-off men, one of their best defensive forwards, provided much needed veteran savy and was able to fill in on defense when injuries occurred.

Overall it's not a crippling loss, but the Caps will definitely have to find another good face-off man and at least one more shut down forward.

[Glubki 17]

My guess is that the contracts they got are bigger than they + their agent expect they could get in free agency, plus the chance to settle in back home at the twilight of their careers. They both still could easily hold roster spots in the NHL (and are both still rather useful, really).

Plus they don't have 40% taken out in federal taxes and there are lots of young russian tennis players running around...

[MidMichSteve 1,115]

Federov may be making amends for defecting to the USA. He probably just wants to go home.

*clicks heels three times*

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

In a few years, there will probably be about a dozen total Russian players left in the NHL.

I hate the KHL, and wish their league would go under somehow.

[Valas19 50]

So, the KHL is to the NHL as to what Florida is to the United States.

[C-TownWing 0]

In a few years, there will probably be about a dozen total Russian players left in the NHL.

I hate the KHL, and wish their league would go under somehow.

It is pretty crazy how few Russians are left already--and three of them are up for the Hart. Who would've thought we'd be down to about 30 Russians (don't remember the exact number) in the NHL 10 years ago?

It's probably accurate to say that the NHL has all the best, but that the marginal guys can make more and be superstars in the homeland. I'm okay with that balance as long as it stops there.

But at the same time, I wish nothing but bad things for the KHL. I have a feeling that league will implode in the next couple years anyway.

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

We'll know this is a serious league when we read the headline:

"NHL announces KHL TV deal on Versus."

[kylee 727]

We'll know this is a serious league when we read the headline:

"NHL announces KHL TV deal on Versus."

hey, id check it out!

[Systemfel 33]

wow, everyones leaven, who's next?

Afinogenov.

[mjlegend 155]

Malkin.

[Zetterberg2008ConnSmythe 0]

97.1 says Fedorov hasn't signed s*** yet