Though the NHL lockout has ended, it doesn’t mean all the players who fled to the KHL will head back to their respective teams in North America.
According to Sport-Express foreign correspondent, Slava Malamud, KHL president Alexander Medvedev says some players will stay — stating that the new CBA agreement between the NHL and NHLPA may be basis for terminating existing contracts.
KHL Prez Medvedev to SportsDaily.ru: New CBA may be basis for terminating existing contracts, some players will stay. — Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) January 9, 2013
KHL Prez Medvedev to SportsDaily.ru: New CBA may be basis for terminating existing contracts, some players will stay.
— Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) January 9, 2013
Medvedev’s comments come from Russian website SportDaily.ru, which have been translated by Malamud.
The KHL president also had some choice words when describing the NHL.
More Medvedev. “NHL’s opinion of itself is so high… OK, let them get drunk on their greatness. We’ll see how many Euros look our way” — Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) January 9, 2013
More Medvedev. “NHL’s opinion of itself is so high… OK, let them get drunk on their greatness. We’ll see how many Euros look our way”
“Some players asked their NHL teams to stay for the (KHL) All-Star Game, but were denied. The selfishness is understandable” – Medvedev — Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) January 9, 2013
“Some players asked their NHL teams to stay for the (KHL) All-Star Game, but were denied. The selfishness is understandable” – Medvedev
If players do want to stay overseas, Medvedev says the KHL will act according to their own and international rules in order to help them.
And more Medvedev. “Our league will act according to our own and international rules. If players decide to stay, we will help them.” — Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) January 9, 2013
And more Medvedev. “Our league will act according to our own and international rules. If players decide to stay, we will help them.”
“Number of players have either decided to stay or are looking into it.. Can’t divulge their names, will cause speculation” – Medvedev, again — Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) January 9, 2013
“Number of players have either decided to stay or are looking into it.. Can’t divulge their names, will cause speculation” – Medvedev, again
However, there are certain agreements that wouldn’t allow such to happen and such is the case with Lubomir Visnovsky.
“We have an agreement with the KHL that would preclude Mr. Visnovsky from continuing to play in the KHL once the lockout is officially lifted,” deputy commissioner Bill Daly told Newsweek.
On Jan. 7 Visnovsky told Newsday.com that he intends to stay in Slovakia instead of reporting to the New York Islanders.
