The pressure is mounting on the new Russian league and the Russian government regarding the Radulov situation.

So this is the deal...(as put together from sources)

Prior to the draft, the KHL (the New Russian League), the NHL, and the IIHF shook hands and agreed that although there was no deal yet in place monitoring them, all the leagues of Europe, Russia and the NHL would honor each other's existing player contracts...In other words they put down a big "NO POACHING" sign in the jungle. The gentlemen's agreement also stated that they would put this all on paper ASAP...

So, why didn't they just put it on paper then and there?

Essentially all sides needed this gentlemen's agreement FAST. Prior to the draft, all sides realized that the NHL teams needed to know that the players in Europe under contract were off-limits! "Do not factor any of these players into your plans as you draft and trade in Ottawa," one source said.

That was why they shook on it and hurried it through.

So the fact that Alexander Medvedev, head of the KHL says in today's NY Times the "existing gentlemen's agreement" between his league, the NHL and the IIHF regarding player transfers does not apply to Radulov because Radulov th Gentlemen's Agreement had not yet been signed is RIDICULOUS and MOOT. It is a huge slap in the face of the NHL and the IIHF.

see: http://slapshot.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/12/medvedev-nhl-khl-agreement-does-not-apply-to-radulov/


So, dont think for a second the NHL's silence is indicative of a lack of action or concern. I am told the NHL is looking into legal action (Radulov's contract is an American contract andf Radulov is in on a work visa). If Radulov ends up in Russia I am told (in no uncertain terms) that NHL may really lay it on the line. "The strong talk behind-the-scenes is intense," a source said, "The NHL will soon threaten to back out of this and ANY future agreements with the IIHF if the KHL doesn't step down here, and that could adversely harm the futures of several leagues in the Eastern Hemisphere."

So essentially, any trust will be shot and the NHL could just take players "at will." The money the NHL teams pay to the teams in Europe is substantial, maybe not substantial enough, but at the end of the day for every Radulov there are 50 other players that are dying to come to the NHL and are under contract in Europe.

This is NOT to say that this situation is at all fair to the Russians who saw their own star, Malkin, essentially poached two years ago. There is a double standard here that can't be ignored. However the NHL has so much more power in this situation because the money is here and Malkin was PRIOR to the gentlemen's agreement.

And yes, you can argue that Radulov should be allowed to take this kind of money. Hell he will NEVER make 24 million over 3 years in the NHL, right? Of course he is under contract, but players are being bought out and forced to accept trades everyday.

Double standards are there as well.

But Radulov needs to be careful... I have friends who played in Russia during the lockout, NHL players that still are owed millions. Those players will tell you flat out they have very little recourse. What court do they argue this in? Radulov is a good kid and a great young player. The Preds fans aren't happy with him and for good reason since he is under contract. The fans are saying he should wait a year to sign over there. That the money will be there next year...Well maybe not....This money, much like many UFA signings we see on July 1, is more about publicity for the new KHL and the Russian team than it is about paying Radulov compensatory to his worth. He is not Crosby.

But if it's about the pub, Russia and the KHL may have already won...

I remain fairly sure that the publicity the KHL is getting for simply putting out this offer and getting their name out has already happened without actually paying a cent. The fact that we keep hearing about all this money for Radulov is in fact doing wonders for this league. That is the PR hit. I know for certain that several agents are calling the KHL as we speak, looking for homes for their unsigned talent. We are even hearing Shanahan to Russia rumours, although I still contend that Shanny will be a Hab.

So having gotten their press and props, and given the enormous ramifications for the future of hockey leagues in Europe if the KHL does NOT back out, I expect that they will indeed step down and Radulov will be property of Nashville this year.

Now will the Preds welcome him back or try to move him? That is a big question that we will ned to wait on..

VINNY VINNY VINNY!


Vinny's deal is done (as it is being reported everywhere) and what a frigging whopper of a deal! I truly am amazed by the commitment being put forth by the Lightning. There are people in the NHL that are concerned by the Lightning's ability to financially support all of this off season spending...comments to me range from "Will they be able to make payroll by December" to "They are good for two years, can build up the franchise worth, and then either move it or sell it."

I do feel that the Lightning are going to be fine financially based on the excitement that is being generated, and if this works this model could be tried by their cross-state rivals. You gotta spend money to make money..

Vinny's deal looks like this: He is making 10 million per for 7 years, then 8.5 in 16-17, 4 in 17-18, 1.5 in 18-19 and finally a paultry 1 million bucks in 2019-2020.

YOUR MATS TODAY REPORT

Today in Sundin...I am being told more and more that Mats is going to return to the NHL and a source this morning told me that, "He will be Canadien by week's end, and the Habs know it. It is being kept quiet so the team can make the needed moves to clear cap space without teams being able to completely take advantage"


This blog was brought to you from my folks vacation. They rented a place on the boardwalk in Ocean City, NJ for this coming week. My kids are out playing in the pool with my sister's kids. I am now joining them!


follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/eklund to get text updates.

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