Ty Anderson: Could B's lose highly touted prospect to KHL?

watched koko a lot in windsor, you guys really don't wanna miss out on this guy

watched koko a lot in windsor, you guys really don't wanna miss out on this guy
- Phil_kessel81

Yeah, he's a really dynamic talent. Last year his biggest issue in Boston throughout camp seemed to be his conditioning, I'm sure that only got better as he got another year under his belt and got bigger. I remember being shocked that he fell down to No. 40 last year.

This is why the NHL needs to negotiate some sort of deal with the KHL (and/or the CHL and AHL) so that situations like Radulov doesn't happen. It makes drafting Russians, especially in the first or second rounds hard to do because there's an alternative for them instead of playing in junior until they're 20 and eligible to play in the AHL. Why play 2 years of junior for no money when you could go to the KHL for big (relatively) dollars and then have all the power as a free agent when you come back in your prime. I think a clause in the CBA where if you are drafted, your rights are retained by the team that drafted you and if you do decide to go to the KHL instead of signing an ELC and want to come back, you have to play on an ELC for whatever the terms are set in the CBA for your draft position.

This is why the NHL needs to negotiate some sort of deal with the KHL (and/or the CHL and AHL) so that situations like Radulov doesn't happen. It makes drafting Russians, especially in the first or second rounds hard to do because there's an alternative for them instead of playing in junior until they're 20 and eligible to play in the AHL. Why play 2 years of junior for no money when you could go to the KHL for big (relatively) dollars and then have all the power as a free agent when you come back in your prime. I think a clause in the CBA where if you are drafted, your rights are retained by the team that drafted you and if you do decide to go to the KHL instead of signing an ELC and want to come back, you have to play on an ELC for whatever the terms are set in the CBA for your draft position.
- DariusKnight

If that happens, why would a player come back from the KHL to the NHL. The incentives have to be there. I think the fact that he can't play in the AHL is stupid, maybe that is what should be negotiated.

If that happens, why would a player come back from the KHL to the NHL. The incentives have to be there.
- _Zippy_

Yeah, but why draft a Russian then? There needs to be some rule that forces a player thinking of playing for the KHL instead of the NHL when he's not quite ready to make the jump to have to play out his ELC first before he can sign with another team/league. The CHL/AHL rules preventing a player from playing in the AHL until he's 20 is a big killer too since you don't start your ELC until you've played a game in the AHL.

Yeah, but why draft a Russian then? There needs to be some rule that forces a player thinking of playing for the KHL instead of the NHL when he's not quite ready to make the jump to have to play out his ELC first before he can sign with another team/league. The CHL/AHL rules preventing a player from playing in the AHL until he's 20 is a big killer too since you don't start your ELC until you've played a game in the AHL.
- DariusKnight

I agree, and if anything, they need to negotiate the CHL/AHL thing, there should be conditions and exceptions. It's understandable that the CHL does not want to lose it's rights to their players to turn pro, but they have to negotiate some sort of exception, especially in scenarios like this. If a player is almost set on leaving the team to go to Europe, the CHL should grant permission for them to play in the AHL. I guess they wouldn't do that because players would say they are going to Europe so they can join their AHL team. It's complicated, but it's the nature of players playing, kids that are only 19 or 20 to boot. The only other way is truly to have a big Russian influence that will make the players feel at home, and even that is hard to accomplish.

I agree, and if anything, they need to negotiate the CHL/AHL thing, there should be conditions and exceptions. It's understandable that the CHL does not want to lose it's rights to their players to turn pro, but they have to negotiate some sort of exception, especially in scenarios like this. If a player is almost set on leaving the team to go to Europe, the CHL should grant permission for them to play in the AHL. I guess they wouldn't do that because players would say they are going to Europe so they can join their AHL team. It's complicated, but it's the nature of players playing, kids that are only 19 or 20 to boot. The only other way is truly to have a big Russian influence that will make the players feel at home, and even that is hard to accomplish.
- _Zippy_

Personally, I believe the rights to a player are sancosanct, and that a team that spends money drafting and developing a player should be able to keep that player until he's played out the standard ELC contract. I use the example of Justin Schultz as a player that used being able to play in college to give him the ability to never have to sign an ELC with Anaheim and now they're likely going to lose him for nothing. That shouldn't be allowed, if you're drafted, unless the team trades your rights you should be forced to sign an ELC and play for that team then have the ability to decide where/when you want to play.

If he leaves for the KHL that's going to be a tough pill to swallow for us B's fans. Kid has some serious potential and a solid skill set to go with it. He has the tools to make him a rock solid 2nd line winger for years to come. Hopefully he stays in North America and continues to develop.

Yeah the Bruins don't have much luck with Russian players. I don't know why they bother with them anymore. We had another top russian pick pull this poop too, I don't recall his damn name anymore, started with a Z I think

If I were the NHL, this is what I'd say in negotiations to the players. You guys don't want us to lower the cap and make you take a pay cut, so what we're proposing is that any draft eligible player that makes it known that he's entering the NHL draft has his rights retained by the team that drafts him and he cannot play anywhere else unless he is loaned out by the club to another league/team (or traded). Make the ELCs start from when they are signed and make them last 7 years and take out restricted free agency and put in a clause that after 3 years (at 21) the player and the team both have options to renegotiate the ELC and if so, then it becomes a standard NHL contract. I also think that players thinking about going into the NCAA should not be draft eligible, if football players and basketball players lose their NCAA eligibility once they declare they're entering the draft and hire an agent, why are hockey players different?

Yeah the Bruins don't have much luck with Russian players. I don't know why they bother with them anymore. We had another top russian pick pull this poop too, I don't recall his damn name anymore, started with a Z I think
- Rayven

Sergei Zinovjev?

Sergei Zinovjev?
- bruinsbeer69

yeah that's the guy, thanks

Sergei Zinovjev?
- bruinsbeer69

I thought he vanished off Earth like most of the B's former draft choices from that era (Seriously, look half of those guys up..they don't exist anymore), and then I saw that he was playing for Russia in the '10 Olympics. Shocked.

I thought he vanished off Earth like most of the B's former draft choices from that era (Seriously, look half of those guys up..they don't exist anymore), and then I saw that he was playing for Russia in the '10 Olympics. Shocked.
- tyanderson

I checked Russia's roster for the world championships this year and he didn't play for them, but I recall seeing his name somewhere recently on an international tournament

yeah that's the guy, thanks
- Rayven

I think he played for like 10 games and then went back to "Mutha Russia"

F-him....and Soderberg

I think he played for like 10 games and then went back to "Mutha Russia"

F-him....and Soderberg
- bruinsbeer69

Believe it when you see it obviously, but they say Soderberg *MIGHT* actually come over this summer.

I checked Russia's roster for the world championships this year and he didn't play for them, but I recall seeing his name somewhere recently on an international tournament
- Rayven

Yeah, I know he's still in the K. I think he plays for the same team Radulov did/does.

Believe it when you see it obviously, but they say Soderberg *MIGHT* actually come over this summer.
- tyanderson

Great for him!

I hope he enjoys his time in Providence....google-eyed pr!ck

Personally, I believe the rights to a player are sancosanct, and that a team that spends money drafting and developing a player should be able to keep that player until he's played out the standard ELC contract. I use the example of Justin Schultz as a player that used being able to play in college to give him the ability to never have to sign an ELC with Anaheim and now they're likely going to lose him for nothing. That shouldn't be allowed, if you're drafted, unless the team trades your rights you should be forced to sign an ELC and play for that team then have the ability to decide where/when you want to play.
- DariusKnight

But what it does now is protect the players more. If a team does not commit to the player within 2-3 years then they can move on to another team. In Schultz case Anaheim could have signed that entry level contract with him and still have him play in college. As fans of the team it's probably worse if good players are able to leave but for the players they have more ability to dictate their wants and needs rather than being chained to something.

Yeah, I know he's still in the K. I think he plays for the same team Radulov did/does.
- tyanderson

and probably will be again

Hopefully it's just a matter of him opting to earn some money while biding his time before joining the Bruins in the NHL. It's fairly certain he's a few years out, so if he signs a short term contract and we retain his rights and he comes over essentially playing in the K rather than the C/AHL for a few years, really no harm no foul. It shouldn't hurt his development, if anything it might be good for him playing at the pro level. I'll reserve judgement for a few years, if he ends up like Soderberg, I'll be very disappointed but at this point I don't blame the kid for wanting to earn some money while he wouldn't really have a shot in the NHL anyways.

Hopefully it's just a matter of him opting to earn some money while biding his time before joining the Bruins in the NHL. It's fairly certain he's a few years out, so if he signs a short term contract and we retain his rights and he comes over essentially playing in the K rather than the C/AHL for a few years, really no harm no foul. It shouldn't hurt his development, if anything it might be good for him playing at the pro level. I'll reserve judgement for a few years, if he ends up like Soderberg, I'll be very disappointed but at this point I don't blame the kid for wanting to earn some money while he wouldn't really have a shot in the NHL anyways.
- Double_A

That was what Zinovjev had said as well but he never came back. Of course I'm pretty sure that was the Mike O'Connell/Harry Sinden regime and I'm fairly certain they told him if he left don't bother coming back.

The problem I have with them taking off back over there to develop is that they aren't getting the North American game on our ice. I would rather they stay here and learn our game, on our ice, and our systems. I agree you can't really blame them for wanting to bank some coin when they can't play for the big club, however, most of them don't want to play in the A either when they have that chance.

That was what Zinovjev had said as well but he never came back. Of course I'm pretty sure that was the Mike O'Connell/Harry Sinden regime and I'm fairly certain they told him if he left don't bother coming back.

The problem I have with them taking off back over there to develop is that they aren't getting the North American game on our ice. I would rather they stay here and learn our game, on our ice, and our systems. I agree you can't really blame them for wanting to bank some coin when they can't play for the big club, however, most of them don't want to play in the A either when they have that chance.
- Rayven

To be fair ... that's likely a difference of 7 figures vs 5 figures for a guy like Koko. I'd probably do the same thing, especially if I got to go back home to do it. It puts the club in a difficult position as you can't really promise a guy a spot sight unseen, but its the risk you take with these guys.

To be fair ... that's likely a difference of 7 figures vs 5 figures for a guy like Koko. I'd probably do the same thing, especially if I got to go back home to do it. It puts the club in a difficult position as you can't really promise a guy a spot sight unseen, but its the risk you take with these guys.
- Double_A

I'm fine with sending him to the K for a few years, unless we lose our entire 3rd line(Rolston/Kelly/Poo)

But I'm worried about the 'roids factor over there. It's a league where lots of guys are using.