Radulov to Russia while still under contract?

Question

I wonder what the NHLPA position is on this type of situation. I guess if he returns to the NHL, either he has to take his pay level, or if he holds out to sign elsewhere, can he get sued by the Predators

Answer 1

I don't find anything wrong with this. Most Europeans want to go home to play hockey now the KHL (new Russian Hockey League) allows players to finally return to their homeland. You'll see more of this happen within the next few years. The problem is it's going to hurt AHL teams. These European teams can and will throw more money at FA's than any AHL team would.

Answer 2

After hearing about this late yesterday, I combed the Preds message boards and looked for anything I could find on this.. my initial reaction as a Pred fan was the obvious P.O. at Radulov.. After thinking it over, I am only left with one drawback personally towards Alex-- You signed another contract while under contract with youre current team.. THATS the only part that doesnt fit right..

Look at it from his perspective--- His home country is offering him as much money as the most coveted forward in the NHL.. Is he worth it-- ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!  But what would we do if the shoe were on our foot??  EXACTLY!!  He has a chance to get in on the ground floor of a new league in his homeland and is probably being viewed as a returning patriot of the game--- Cant really blame a man for that...  

The past season has saw Rads lose his biggest teacher-Foppa , His favorite linemate- Kariya, His defensive friend- Timonen,  A good friend in the Czech goalie Vokoun- whom he stayued after practice with on MANY occasions; and just 2 weeks ago his best friend Darcy Hordichuk was traded out of his immediate lifestyle..  

Talk about hitting a kid hard that is living in a country where his language skills are the polar opposite of his puckhandling skills..  I fear the fans , if Rads plays in Nashville , will not be very forgiving, much less kind to his on ice appearance.. While I think this can be squarely put on the shoulders of his agent looking to benefit the maximum possible from his client, a man is ultimately in control of putting his name on the dotted line HIMSELF.. with that much money on the table, a little better due process could have been observed by the Radulov camp..

The only way I see this guy not being lynched by the Prednation is by signing a multiyear deal this following offseason.. and eventhough he has signed that deal with the Russian league, He shouldnt have any problem signing another contract while there is one in effect already..  

Decisively-- This is realistically the end of Radulovs career, with the exception of the Russian League-- Unless he does the afore mentioned above..  What a shame...

Answer 3

There is some speculation that the KHL will void the contract.  The owner of the team who signed Radulov supposedly did it with out the consent of the league.  Its being said that the KHL wants more control over the league than the other Russian league, who's team owners pretty much do whatever they want.  Since the KHL and NHL came to an agreement that they wouldn't steal players under contract, I wouldn't be surprised if they do end up voiding it and not allow him to play.

RedWingsDynasty, if you were basing your comment off of what I said, I think you misunderstood me.  Its being said that the KHL will void the contract Radulov just signed for their league, not his contract with the NHL.  Its being said that they didnt give the team permission to sign Radulov and they might not let him play in their league.

Answer 4

I thought there were more severe ramifications to the Russian league if they were to steal a player under contract.  Radulov was still going to be a RESTRICTED free agent after next season.  Couldn't they match (if the Russian didn't just throw a billion dollar deal at him) the KHL's deal and shove that offer sheet back up the Russkies a$$es next year?  How can they just void his contract with Nashville?

I thought the IIHL said, although most rules are unwritten, that the KHL could be heavily fined, or even that Russia could be disqualified from olympic play.  I hope they do something about this.  You can just jerk a player out from under contract.  Nashville desperately needed that offensive contribution, now what will they do?  I'm pissed for Nashville fans.

Answer 5

Hi

We are used to seeing this the other way around, look at Malkin for example. There is no transfer agreement though so that all owes players to simply walk out of contracts to go play in the other country. I would express the opinion that he will have problems resigning in the NHL now though if he so chooses.  GM's would treat him much the same as Emery, blacklisted.

Thank You