International League Players?

Question

How come all the teams in the international don't have all the big names playing for them, like Sundin, Forsberg, Joe Sakie, etc. I know that they have some players not playing for them since there in the playoffs but how about these other players?

Answer 1

Injury, family matters, fatigue all factor in.

Some battle through these issues (Saku Koivu) while others just can't make it. Forsberg is definitely no surprise. Sakic was playing through injury and I am not positive on Sundin.....getting married I think.

Answer 2

Some of those guys were just playing in the NHL Playoffs and they may be  a little banged up and do not want to risk further injury. Guys like Crosby Malkin Datsyuk and Zetterberg would be playing if they weren't still in the race for the CUP. Obviously these guys need to be replaced and some of the players that are replacing them play for their Countries National Team. A guy like Aleksey Morozov formerly of the Pens has played in Russia for a few years now and players like him are a lock to be on these teams.

Answer 3

Money,  Contracts say they can't play for them in offseason