Three NHLers are leaving the Czech Republic and heading back to North America.
Boston Bruins forward David Krejci, Edmonton Oilers forward Ales Hemsky and Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jakub Kindl have left HC Pardubice of the Czech Extraliga, according to Matais Strozyk of EliteProspects.com.
Pardubice announce Ales Hemsky (14-18-32 in 27 GP), Jakub Kindl (1-10-11 in 27 GP), & David Krejci (16-11-27 in 24 GP) are leaving the team.
— Matias Strozyk (@MaStrozyk) December 22, 2012
It’s uncertain if the trio will return to Europe if the NHL lockout doesn’t come to a resolution soon.
@joeyerdonpht Not just for the break. And not “for good” either, since they don’t know what they’ll do in 2013, but they’re done for now.
— Matias Strozyk (@MaStrozyk) December 22, 2012
@dstaples I don’t know, all I have is what the club announced. I’d assume all 3 spend Christmas at home, then look at the NHL’s situation.
— Matias Strozyk (@MaStrozyk) December 22, 2012
The NHL and NHLPA made direct contact with each other Saturday for the first time since talks broke off several days ago.
The NHL’s deputy commissioner Bill Daly, who made some waves this week when he publically stated that there will be an NHL season this year, and NHLPA’s special counsel Steve Fehr were the two to have reportedly reached out to each other via telephone.
On Thursday, the NHL axed two more weeks’ worth of games through Jan. 14.
It is largely expected that this will be the last round of cancellations before the league is forced to cancel the entire season for the second time in seven years if an agreement isn’t reached before then.
Krejci had 27 points in 24 games with the club, Hemsky tallied 32 points in 27 games while Kindl recorded 11 points in 27 games.