The KHL has announced, according to multiple sources, that all returning Russians from the NHL will not count against the salary cap. What will the Penguins do in 2 years if some crazy, stupid, rich KHL owner offers Geno $25 million tax free per season like Jaromir Jagr was making in Omsk? Sure it’s the KHL, but Geno speaks the language, eats the food and wouldn’t have to pay for mom and dad to come visit him. He has already won a Stanley Cup so take that out of the equation too.
I have a feeling you’re going to see quite a few Russians bolt back to the KHL with the first being Alex Semin and possibly two of the top draft pick prospects, Nail Yakupov and Grigorenko. Why would these guys play for 3 year entry level wages when some KHL oil billionaire would pay them top dollar in year one?
An NHL with a salary cap, cannot compete with the KHL when that league does not have a salary cap (for NHL players). This latest move will lure a LOT of NHLers.
Paranoid…. I think not. Read the KHL rules. Player coming from the NHL and eligible for the Russian national team are exempt from the salary cap of 36.5 million.
Just look at the Olympic roster of the Russian team. That rule is specifically targeted at those guys and realistically if you look at the KHL ownership there are probably 3 teams that would consider it based on the fact they are good teams and don’t care if they make money.
It would not be shocking at all to see 1 or 2 of the teams pull the trigger on this especially if they just want to win the championship. If they do who do you think is top of the list?
Now with the lockout looming and Malkin going back to play… maybe he impresses so much and endears himself to the fans so much that some owner just can’t help himself later.
It sucks for us Pens fans because Malkin could be one of the guys. But a mass exodus is probably unlikely.
This has to be the most awful, paranoid article i have read in years. This is absolutely ubsurd. You’re more likely to believe that Sidney Crosby will take a Pittsburgh Pirate contract next year. What if who could how what where why ..stfu. Stirring a pot that doesnt need stirred. lol, remind me never to read anything from this writer ever again.
Zewg,
I appreciate the kind words. Every time a moron tells me that he’ll never read my stuff again, an angel gets its wings. Please explain to me why you consider this to be ubsurd(Your spelling, not mine)
Many consider Gino the best player in the world ! That ‘s truth even with Croz in the room. Different styles and skill sets, but Gino can make you look stupid against 2 and 3 defenders! Size and strength is the key with hands like Datsuyk…scary stuff. The Flyers keyed on Gino and Sid but Gino delivered the mail and was more effective in dirty places.Croz had a tough physical series back from concussion and I think that’s why you didn’t see him beat guys one on one like we have seen him do in past playoff performances! Dragging double teams on your back and ducking head hunters with no time and space is not an easy thing to do for 26 minutes of ice time! Losing Staal and support guys like Dupi will put more pressure on JImmy Neal to duplicate 40 and Kuni TK and Tang would really have to step up their games that were pretty solid this season!
Yea but what fun would watching Gino’s departure be when we already have that 6 million dollar head case choke Fleury sucking the life out of the most talented team in the NHL…three years running on nothing but his ring and past accomplishments he hasn’t even come close to duplicating! He’s looking more like Barrasso did when he blew their “next ring” chances toward the end of his career with a shite wagon full of soft ugly goals! A huge waste of talent for one over rated 25 year old millionaire goalie!
I like MAF but he is starting choke more often in BIG games when we need him to make that big save
i think we should have seen this happining the russians getting just small bucks when they come when the rich boys in Russia gives them the world in Russia these hockey players from the RUSSIANcountry are not stupid i bet OVESKIN IS THINKING WE MAKE THEMSTARS THEN THEY JUMP SHIP I GOTTO BE HONEST WE HAVE ENOUGH STARS HERE IN OUR COUNTRYS TO GIVE US THE BEST HOCKEY JUST MY POINT PERSONALITY IM NOT A RUSSIAN FAN ANY WAY IT SEEMS LIKE THE NHL DONT LIKE OUR CROP OF PLAYERS RATHER PAY THE BIG BUCKS TO THE OVER SEAS GROUP LIKE I SAID THEY PLAY WELL UNTILL THEY GET THERE BIG BUCKS AND WELL FLY AWAW FLY AWAY HOME TO MOMMY ANDPOPPY BOB THIS IS JUST MY OPENION
Mr. Power, what you’ve just written is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever read. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone who reads this blog is now dumber for having read it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
Hahaha…. Spot on
Yeah I feel stupid!!!
There were only 24 Russians in the NHL this season, so I guess “a lot” would be relative to that.