KHL decides to register Hudler's contract.

[Peleshob 0]

Kontinental Hockey League Official Statement

Considering the facts that:

- there is no arrangement or any agreements between Kontinental Hockey League and National Hockey League on restricted free agents transfers;

- NHL refuse to cancel the registration of a contract between Florida Panthers and Yevgeny Dadonov (contractual and sporting rights on this player belong to KHL club Traktor Chelyabinsk);

- Jiri Hudler has no valid contract with any National Hockey League club;

- Detroit Red Wings have no permission from NHL to negotiate with Dynamo Moscow on Jiri Hudler transfer rights;

- Vancouver Canucks intend to sign a deal with Sergei Shirokov (contractual and sporting rights on this player belong to KHL club CSKA);

KHL has to take the following decisions:

- to register Jiri Hudler contract with Dynamo Moscow on July 30, 2009 regardless of the results of arbitration hearing on his case in National Hockey League and to provide player with the right to choose the league he wants to play in.

- to affirm the KHL readiness to start at any time and in any form negotiations with the NHL mediated by IIHF on the restricted free agents status and other issues of the General Agreement on players transfers between KHL and NHL.

Kontinental Hockey League Press Service

http://en.khl.ru/news/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=13719

[egroen 384]

Heh -- so much for "waiting" until the arbitration hearing is settled.

Though if they had waited, they would not have the excuse that "Hudler has no valid contract".

[Peleshob 0]

I thought the same thing.

"In Soviet Russia, contract signs you"

[Guest Shoreline]

This might be an interesting reading comprehension test for some posters. I have low expectations.

[mmamolo 287]

I actually just brought this point up in another thread. Just because the Wings own Hudler's rights doesnt mean he is under contract. To me that means that Moscow Dynamo and the KHL wouldn't really be breaking the no poaching agreement by signing HUdler and the IIHF shouldnt really give them problems with a transfer card.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

I actually just brought this point up in another thread. Just because the Wings own Hudler's rights doesnt mean he is under contract. To me that means that Moscow Dynamo and the KHL wouldn't really be breaking the no poaching agreement by signing HUdler and the IIHF shouldnt really give them problems with a transfer card.

This argument went both ways-- because the Wings gave Hudler a qualifying offer AND Hudler filed for arbitration the NHL felt that Hudler was contracually bound to accept the decision of the arbiter (pending the Wings' decision to accept the arbiter's offer).

[Buppy 1,720]

I'll just say I'm less surprised by this than I was by Medvedev's original statement that they would wait until after the arbitration and possibly void the contract. Also pleased. I'd love to have Hudler @ 2 mil. At 3 mil+, no thanks, at least not with our current cap issues.

All the best to Happy, hope he enjoys Russia. I've heard Moscow is a great place to visit, but not sure about living there. Maybe in a couple years, he'll come back even better.

[Peleshob 0]

This argument went both ways-- because the Wings gave Hudler a qualifying offer AND Hudler filed for arbitration the NHL felt that Hudler was contracually bound to accept the decision of the arbiter (pending the Wings' decision to accept the arbiter's offer).

Regardless of what Hudler did, there's still only a "gentlemen's agreement" in place. The KHL was calling for the IIHF to actually come to some kind of formal rule or practice for RFA's. I don't care as much right now, because I'm not a huge Hudler fan, but if it were someone I really liked I'd be bummed. I hope they actually figure out some kind of agreement before it happens again.

[mmamolo 287]

This argument went both ways-- because the Wings gave Hudler a qualifying offer AND Hudler filed for arbitration the NHL felt that Hudler was contracually bound to accept the decision of the arbiter (pending the Wings' decision to accept the arbiter's offer).

Isnt a qualifying offer simply mean he intends to negotiate with the Wings and that the Wings aren't just walking away from him? A qualifying offer is not a full contract and shouldnt be honoured as such right?

[Guest Shoreline]

Alright, so, before I get sucked into gaming land, I'll point out the plainly obvious part of the KHL's rationale regarding Hudler, noted in the OP, in fact, taking up about half the post, was the NHL bringing over people under KHL/RSL contracts. No one was paying attention, and I don't expect they'd take the league to task for this apparent hypocrisy either. Oh well.

Edited July 30, 2009 by Shoreline

[Peleshob 0]

Alright, so, before I get sucked into gaming land, I'll point out the plainly obvious part of the KHL's rationale regarding Hudler, noted in the OP, in fact, taking up about half the post, was the NHL bringing over people under KHL/RSL contracts. No one was paying attention, and I don't expect they'd take the league to task for this apparent hypocrisy either. Oh well.

Sure, but no one here really gives a crap about the KHL. As hypocritcal as it is, people look at them poaching an NHL'er as bad, and the NHL pulling a player out of there as "saving them". Nearest most people here can figure, they play hockey outdoors and are constantly held at gunpoint if they don't pan out as PPG players.

[egroen 384]

Sure, but no one here really gives a crap about the KHL. As hypocritcal as it is, people look at them poaching an NHL'er as bad, and the NHL pulling a player out of there as "saving them". Nearest most people here can figure, they play hockey outdoors and are constantly held at gunpoint if they don't pan out as PPG players.

And fat trainers make their players wear hats....

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Isnt a qualifying offer simply mean he intends to negotiate with the Wings and that the Wings aren't just walking away from him? A qualifying offer is not a full contract and shouldnt be honoured as such right?

Yeah, but the NHL's arguement is that by filing for arbitration after recieving the qualifying offer the player has committed themself to accepting the arbiter's decision.

Like Shoreline said- the NHL is as guilty of poaching as the KHL is. That doesn't make it 'right' though. And the two players taken from the KHL were s*** anyway. Hudler's expected to be a star player in the KHL (not that that makes a difference in principle).

Although, to be fair, the KHL established themselves as poachers early when they took Radulov even though he was under contract.

[Guest Shoreline]

Sure, but no one here really gives a crap about the KHL. As hypocritcal as it is, people look at them poaching an NHL'er as bad, and the NHL pulling a player out of there as "saving them". Nearest most people here can figure, they play hockey outdoors and are constantly held at gunpoint if they don't pan out as PPG players.

So your position is the KHL should adhere to some non-existent transfer rules (except regarding the IIHF for olympics/worlds) but the NHL shouldn't?

And yes, they are doing some PR of their own, but compare that to the demonizing of the KHL done here. This reeks like the our-s***-doesn't-stink Iraq issue. The NHL has, for years, been taking players from other leagues, ignoring contracts. The Russian Super League kept bitching about it, and now suddenly that the KHL is doing what the NHL has been doing, they're being demonized. It's funny as hell to me. Of course, it's also way the f*** over people's heads too.

Edited July 30, 2009 by Shoreline

[uk_redwing 495]

Wheres Eva Font Stat and his blind faith/love for Hudler? Im pissed off at the Jason Williams saga and want to have an argument with someone...

[Peleshob 0]

So your position is the KHL should adhere to some non-existent transfer rules (except regarding the IIHF for olympics/worlds) but the NHL shouldn't?

And yes, they are doing some PR of their own, but compare that to the demonizing of the KHL done here. This reeks like the our-s***-doesn't-stink Iraq issue. The NHL has, for years, been taking players from other leagues, ignoring contracts. The Russian Super League kept bitching about it, and now suddenly that the KHL is doing what the NHL has been doing, they're being demonized. It's funny as hell to me. Of course, it's also way the f*** over people's heads too.

No, actually. I figured that you would pick up on my sarcasm, but I guess not. I'm aware of the NHL's poaching of other leagues, and sure it's a *****, but I like the NHL. I could give a s*** about the KHL, SEL, FNL, etc. They're all valid leagues, and they all have a right to have players, but I'm a fan of the Detroit Red Wings. I'm not a fan of Moscow Dynamo, Frolunda or Jokerit. I want to see the highest quality product I can in the NHL, and if that means getting the best players in the world, then so be it.

Am I selfish? Yes. Am I ignorant? Not at all. I'm fully aware of my hypocrisy, and I'm fine with it.

Edit: For the record, if there is an agreement in place it should go both ways. I'm not calling for the KHL to stop poaching, while the NHL can. At this point no big name "stars" have been taken from the NHL, so I'm fine with it.

Edited July 30, 2009 by Peleshob

[JPT 26]

If I understand correctly - Hudler, by initiating arbitration, is legally obligated to sign for whatever dollar amount the arbitrator decides on? I know the Wings have the ability to walk away from it.

If Hudler is obligated then the KHL seems to be in the wrong here as Hudler himself intended to play for the Red Wings by going to arbitration and is bound to accept their contract so essentially he would be under an NHL contract. Did Hudler sign the KHL deal before or after he files for arbitration?

The KHL RFA process is insanely restricting so its no wonder the NHL chooses to poach players....

[Guest Shoreline]

No, actually. I figured that you would pick up on my sarcasm, but I guess not. I'm aware of the NHL's poaching of other leagues, and sure it's a *****, but I like the NHL. I could give a s*** about the KHL, SEL, FNL, etc. They're all valid leagues, and they all have a right to have players, but I'm a fan of the Detroit Red Wings. I'm not a fan of Moscow Dynamo, Frolunda or Jokerit. I want to see the highest quality product I can in the NHL, and if that means getting the best players in the world, then so be it.

Am I selfish? Yes. Am I ignorant? Not at all. I'm fully aware of my hypocrisy, and I'm fine with it.

I see you're very much interested in what you want. I am too, just not to that degree. Take a look at the bigger picture. Not respecting contracts begets the same. Anyone who complains about the KHL "poaching" (the perfect representative word you gave to describe that) NHL players looks silly doing so without understanding this league in it's former name for years complained about the NHL doing the same, not to mention other European leagues.

I likely wouldn't watch the KHL even if Medvedev (the KHL guy, not the politician) personally offered up vodka and a BJ to watch one of their games. Nonetheless, if the NHL (or it's fans) expects other leagues to operate in a respectable fashion when it comes to contracts, they should probably do the same and not be such hypocrites. Just saying. People don't seem to understand the reciprocity of these situations.

[Peleshob 0]

I see you're very much interested in what you want. I am too, just not to that degree. Take a look at the bigger picture. Not respecting contracts begets the same. Anyone who complains about the KHL "poaching" (the perfect representative word you gave to describe that) NHL players looks silly doing so without understanding this league in it's former name for years complained about the NHL doing the same, not to mention other European leagues.

I likely wouldn't watch the KHL even if Medvedev (the KHL guy, not the politician) personally offered up vodka and a BJ to watch one of their games. Nonetheless, if the NHL (or it's fans) expects other leagues to operate in a respectable fashion when it comes to contracts, they should probably do the same and not be such hypocrites. Just saying. People don't seem to understand the reciprocity of these situations.

I completely get where you're coming from. I guess my main point is I'm not beign ignorant about it. Like I said, if there is an agreement between leagues, then it needs to benefit each league equally. Right now the KHL hasn't really taken anyone of status, but they definitely could. The NHL has more to offer than the KHL (talent wise) obviously, but at the same time they could have a gem or two of their own. I've got mixed emotions about it right now, but ultimately I think I'd like to see an agreement regarding RFA's. UFA's are going to do what they want. I also wouldn't mind if there was a loaning program between the leagues, kind of like what almost happened with Khabibulin last season. Detroit is essentially loaning out Hudler anyway. The arbitration is going to ensure they retain his rights, so if/when he comes back, he's a Wing, or his rights have been moved for someone. Who even knows what the cap will look like in 2 years.