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Post by Tankdriver on Feb 24, 2022 12:04:45 GMT -5
With what's happening around the world, and more specifically with Ukraine, how does this affect Russian players in the NHL, AHL Juniors, or those who draft years are coming up playing else where? Will there be a ban to play put into place in North America? Do you think they will be barred from the under 18's, Jr's, World Tournaments? The last time anything like this happened was in the 80's and there were not many Russians in the NHL at that time.
This would really hurt Ovi and his chance to become all time scorer if he is kicked out.
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Post by folatre on Feb 24, 2022 12:20:32 GMT -5
I am only guessing, but I would assume sanctions are not designed to infringe on regular people's opportunities. So I cannot imagine that anyone in Canadian or American politics would try to persuade hockey authorities to ban Russians.
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Post by seventeen on Feb 24, 2022 12:24:15 GMT -5
There are also contractual obligations in place that may prevent any such bans.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 25, 2022 11:19:20 GMT -5
Lots of focus on the IIHF right now as Russia is scheduled to host the 2023 WJC and men’s worlds. They faced similar pressure with Belarus lately and pulled the tourney out of there.
The draft this year will be interesting too. Although it has definitely waned over the years, there is still a bit of the “Russian Factor” for at least some teams with regards to drafting Russian kids. Every year I see some good value in some Russian prospects that either get drafted way too late or not at all. There still is legitimate concern about getting those players over to North America, and this will be front and centre at the draft once again this summer. Does having a new co-Director of Amateur Scouting who is originally from St. Petersburg give the Habs a bit of a competitive edge this draft in these uncertain times? We shall see. There are definitely Russian kids again this year that I would like to see the Habs draft.
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Post by Tankdriver on Feb 25, 2022 12:46:03 GMT -5
NWT, I rememeber Evgeny Kuznetsov dropping like a rock because of the agreement in place at the time and I was like someone is going to get a heck of a steal. He ended up going 26th overall which is after his pre draft ranking that had factored in the Russian issue.
Pre draft ranking:
CSB: 3-E
ISS: 19
TSN: N/A {Bob MacKenzie}
McKeens: 11
THN: 18
THW: 22 (June ’10) {Christopher Ralph }
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Post by jkr on Feb 25, 2022 16:53:00 GMT -5
NWT, I rememeber Evgeny Kuznetsov dropping like a rock because of the agreement in place at the time and I was like someone is going to get a heck of a steal. He ended up going 26th overall which is after his pre draft ranking that had factored in the Russian issue. Pre draft ranking: CSB: 3-E ISS: 19 TSN: N/A {Bob MacKenzie} McKeens: 11 THN: 18 THW: 22 (June ’10) {Christopher Ralph } The Habs picked at 22 & chose Tinordi.  |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 25, 2022 18:44:22 GMT -5
NWT, I rememeber Evgeny Kuznetsov dropping like a rock because of the agreement in place at the time and I was like someone is going to get a heck of a steal. He ended up going 26th overall which is after his pre draft ranking that had factored in the Russian issue. Pre draft ranking: CSB: 3-E ISS: 19 TSN: N/A {Bob MacKenzie} McKeens: 11 THN: 18 THW: 22 (June ’10) {Christopher Ralph } The Habs picked at 22 & chose Tinordi. To pour oil on the fire…and they moved up from 27 to do so. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 25, 2022 18:50:57 GMT -5
NWT, I rememeber Evgeny Kuznetsov dropping like a rock because of the agreement in place at the time and I was like someone is going to get a heck of a steal. He ended up going 26th overall which is after his pre draft ranking that had factored in the Russian issue. Pre draft ranking: CSB: 3-E ISS: 19 TSN: N/A {Bob MacKenzie} McKeens: 11 THN: 18 THW: 22 (June ’10) {Christopher Ralph } I am really interested in seeing how this plays out at the draft. The Habs have a ton of picks this draft, so taking a flyer on a Russian talent that has fallen too far seems like a very good swing for the fences. Other teams with limited picks cannot and probably should not take on the extra risk. This could actually become a real thing as early as the Calgary first pick. It adds more excitement to an already Habs’ pick-loaded draft in their own barn. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 4, 2022 11:44:56 GMT -5
Another twist on this is that if the west is successful in crippling the Russian economy as already seen in the drop in the value of the ruble, then young Russian players may in fact be more motivated to leave their homeland as the money earning opportunities will be better away from home. We will see if that plays out. Conversely, head-case Putin could also just shut the door on exporting Russian players. No doubt he is miffed by all the sports sanctions being levelled on Russia these days.
There is currently quite the exodus of foreign players leaving their KHL teams as playoffs begin. Not just some North Americans, but Swedes and Finnish players too. No doubt others are doing the same. You have to agree with their thinking that Russia is very much the wrong place at the wrong time for non-Russians right now.
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Post by jkr on Mar 4, 2022 12:09:54 GMT -5
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Post by Tankdriver on Mar 4, 2022 13:35:35 GMT -5
I am seeing some press on work visa's for Russians not being issued next year to hockey players so everyone in juniors up into the NHL might not even be allowed to play. I have no idea if they have dual citizenship but Ovi might be screwed.
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Post by jkr on Mar 4, 2022 14:42:11 GMT -5
I am seeing some press on work visa's for Russians not being issued next year to hockey players so everyone in juniors up into the NHL might not even be allowed to play. I have no idea if they have dual citizenship but Ovi might be screwed. I wonder about a couple of things. Ovechkin has been in Washington over 17 years. Has he taken U.S. citizenship after being there so long? And banning Russians affects teams differently. TB and Washington have stars from Russia for example, so this would sting them hard. I can't se the league doing this because it's unfair to some teams and doesn't affect some teams at all. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 4, 2022 16:48:42 GMT -5
And with the KHL playoffs started, there has been lots of talk of NHL teams doing the annual dance to try and sign Russian free agents once their playoffs are over. Kuzmenko is getting lots of press but the Habs have been linked to guys in the past and earlier this year. Who knows if this will even be allowed if Russia closes its border and/or USA/Canada don’t grant work visas to Russian citizens.
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Post by jkr on Mar 10, 2022 18:14:56 GMT -5
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