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Edmonton Media Tampering? Burmistrov & AK Bars Kazan

April 30, 2012, 11:04 PM ET [18 Comments]
Peter Tessier
Winnipeg Jets Blogger •Winnipeg Jets Writer • RSSArchiveCONTACT
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It was reported today that Alexander Burmistrov, still on his NHL entry-level contract, had received a contract offer from KHL team AK Bars Kazan. A small twitter and media frenzy erupted in and around Winnipeg as official word from any party, most importantly the Winnipeg Jets or Burmistrov, was said.

Burmistrov’s agent who was contacted by Ted Wyman officially denied the contract offer and said neither he nor his client had been contacted. You can breathe easy Winnipeg faithful.

So where did this report come from? David Staples of the Edmonton Journal’s cult of hockey was the first to draw attention to Peter Adler (also of the Cult of Hockey from the Journal) who penned this piece: Read it here

In this article Adler writes:
Shamil Khusnutdinov, the club’s director, is confirming that Kazan has also offered a contract to Alexander Burmistrov of the Winnipeg Jets.

Khusnutdinov would not reveal any more details other than the club’s representatives have already talked to Burmistrov who is now in training with Team Russia for the world championships.


Okay, let’s ask one simple question here, just who did Khusnutdinov confirm to? Un-named sources? The Cult of Hockey? Adler? Or was this another example of Google translator going awry?

Needless to say damage may have been done to what some, including this writer, believe to be a rocky relationship between Burmistrov and the Jets. While it is not clear just how ‘rocky’ the relationship is, word of coach Claude Noel allegedly ‘letting Burmistrov have it’ in his exit interview may only fuel speculation about the future.

Burmistrov is an undeniable talent but does not possess the size and perhaps the strength (yet) to realize where he is far better than other players: puck control. It’s the hallmark of his game, his bread and butter but it also takes time along with willing and understanding line mates. Think of the Sedins in their first 3-5 years in the league.

The only think to wonder now is who is telling the truth? Are the writers from the Edmonton Journal the first on the story only have it denied by an agent who was looking to fly ‘under the radar’? Or, was this no more than what so many MSM accuses the blogoshpere and twittersphere of doing: unsubstantiated rumour mongering?

The truth will come out but don’t be surprised if this story does not heat up again as it came so far out of left field that some one was bound to make it bigger than it should have been. You can thank Adler and Staples for that.
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