FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Blame it on the KGB and the Russian mafia. It is what it is as they say. lol

It is all about money..

Don't close the pipeline yet. I heard Sundin has not ruled out going there yet

You know, the NHL was fine when the only Russians in the league were defectors who had to have James Bond plots to get them over to North America. Maybe the league needs to focus on players from everywhere but Russia to fill their rosters. There's enough talent in Canada and the U.S. to suffice. Besides, maybe this will encourage the contraction of the league if there aren't enough players to keep the level of talent in the NHL up to snuff. It's a thought (and a wish on my part).

This article is silly. Everything is cyclical. I remember following drafts where only a few Canadians were picked in the 1st round, and reporters were discussing the downfall of Canadian hockey. Next year, there could be 50 Euros/Russians picked... it just depends on the crop. The new Russian League will certainly compete because of the salaries they are tossing around, but the NHL will still draft from Europe and anywhere else if the product is good.

I still dont think this is going to effect the draft all that much. Like PopKing said the NHL will just draft more from other countries besides Russia. The KHL will have all of the same people to pick from for thier draft. Besides just because a team drafts you doesnt mean you are going to sign. The two leagues need to work something out though. There are bound to be alot of legal problems without one.

This is a ridiculous bit of reporting. If it's suppossed to about playing the game, and these guys happen to be on top right now (for as noted, it is cyclical) where's the problem? So if eurpean football clubs operated the same way, they should stop signing Brazilians?
Some of this I sense, is from two sources:
1) Olde Cold War thinking..and Putin, et. al have done nothing to quash thos fears
2) Good olde fashioned jingoism

Why playin the NHL and pay the high taxes on the American/Canadian side then get penalized with another tax for every city you play in? If your playing in russia you get paid TAX FREE. Not a bad gig.

Another midget mistake looming....

Another midget mistake looming....

cmh_phx |

And yet the little f***er still has a job

Whew, I thought they were going to close the Alaska pipeline.

"Only nine Russians have been taken in each of the last two drafts"

YEEEESSSS!!!!! Nothing can make me happier! Oh! Wait! That's still nine too many!

If players like AO and Malkin really want to play in the NHL, they'll have to fing a way! Show us you have some balls and really want to be here! Otherwise .... stay home! Nobody wants you and nobody will miss you and you whining ways!

No seabird the tree huggers what to close the Alaska pipe line.

DCruiser, I hope that was a joke.

No seabird the tree huggers what to close the Alaska pipe line.

thunderdragon

Tree Huggers?
What is this, The Reagan Admin?

thunderdragon

Tree Huggers?
What is this, The Reagan Admin?
Spiny Norman

Uh oh, have I unleashed the demon known as political debate on the hockey threads again??? Ah well, baunded is still at work, no fear of Whapping yet....

I never quite got the deification of Ronald Ray Gun. The man confused a former president with an early 20th century major league pitcher, claimed that trees caused air pollution and then tried to foist ketchup on our nation's school children in the name of "nutrition". Somehow I'm guessing that he always got a square meal. As for the pipeline, that's here to stay but hopefully they'll leave the Arctic Ntl. Wildlife Regfue alone. Any questions as to my political "leanings", "opinions", etc.? ( those quotation marks are for you there, Hank :) ). Yes, thunderdgagon, I am that entity known and reviled by the Republican right; an Environmentalist. I would think that my nickname and Avatar would give that away anyhow.
I hear the artillery being rolled up now......

I never quite got the deification of Ronald Ray Gun.

seabird56

He was pretty good in that Genesis Land of Confusion video.

No, wait. that was a Spitting Image puppet?

Or was it?

I never quite got the deification of Ronald Ray Gun.

seabird56

These threads are not long enough to answer this question, though I will say when I write my book about "where it all went wrong" I'm almost certain we can point to the year 1980.
One thing about Reagan is he believed all of that "Greatest Country in The World" rubbish, and the weak minded follow, as they have whenever a flag is waved that hard throughout history

Just send Bettman. He'll clog any pipeline.......

Just send Bettman. He'll clog any pipeline.......

Therrien Rocks |

Just by standing in it?