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Four big name Russians offered big money to stay in KHL … KHL president Medvedev may challenge CBA
Mark Easson
Larry Brooks via twitter: Last Friday, Evgeny Malkin, Alex Ovechkin, Ilya Kovalchuk and Pavel Datsyuk were preparing a press release that would announce their intention to stay in the KHL regardless. Brooks was told that the four had been promised an immense amount of money (with a guarantee from Putin) to remain in the KHL and not to return to the NHL. The NHLPA was able to talk the four out of issuing the statement. Ovechkin has already returned. Datsyuk has pledged to honor the 2 years of his contract with the Red Wings.
Slava Malamud via twitter: KHL president Alexander Medvedev to SportsDaily.ru: The new NHL CBA could be the basis for terminating existing contracts, and some players will stay. Medvedev: “NHL’s opinion of itself is so high… OK, let them get drunk on their greatness. We’ll see how many Euros look our way … Our league will act according to our own and international rules. If players decide to stay, we will help them … (Not going to Sochi) will be a big financial loss for NHL.. If they decide differently, that’s their problem … There is no reason to fear (IIHF’s sanctions against players who decide to stay) … Number of players have either decided to stay or are looking into it.. Can’t divulge their names, will cause speculation … Some players asked their NHL teams to stay for the (KHL) All-Star Game, but were denied. The selfishness is understandable.”
Tom Gulitti via twitter: Bill Daly on Medvedev’s comments about KHL possibly challenging NHL contracts: “We have no response. We will see what happens.”
Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: No NHLers are on the KHL all-star rosters that were announced last night. Indication that Kovalchuk and others are on their way back to North America. UPDATE: Slava Malamud via twitter: KHL revised their All-Star rosters, Ilya Kovalchuk is the only NHLer on the roster.
Arthur Staple via twitter: “Neil Sheehy adds this: Visnovsky’s wish is to stay in Bratislava. But if the KHL says he can’t stay, he will come and play for #Isles.”