Quoting: Nake_qc
Am sure there are teams working around knowing what it would take to "pry" him from the clutches of mother Russia.
Issue isnt singular
Its like why Ovechkin cant comment against Putin it effects his family back home.
Despite that numerous American "Journalists" are calling for Ovi to "choose a side or stay in Russia"
Things were alway tight before
But there was a working relationship
Now that's seemingly gone atleast for now
I think some teams are better equipped to handle such things
But most just steer clear unless they're too good to pass up
There is exceptions
Those who come over to play Junior here get Preference
Logic being they've moved freely back and forth without issue
People assume its cause "Small Ice " or NHL Ice style isnt available in Russia
But since 2018 KHL has converted the majority of its rinks to a rink just slightly bigger (just enough to be spiteful and say its different lol)
Russian players are always Tricky
Some like Markov who are big Putin supports you dont have to worry about
You know he'll always get preference so you dont have to worry either way
Same thing with Ovi ,Kaprisov even an Orlov
But many of the younger players will be effected
For Example Khovanov who granted has stalled out in his development
But before that he was the only other QMJHL player averaging 2pts per game
MIN terminated his rights , they wont retain them until he's 27 like normal they waived that option
Khovanov i really feel for
We built on him and Mr Irving made a lot of moves to help him(or forced his GM to)
Like he did Connor Garland he built a deep core of future NHLer's around him
Going into his Junior year just before the playoffs after Wildcats just blew all their future picks for
Groulx,Fortier, and McIsaac that was in addition to L'Hearux, Andersson, Spence, Pelltier and Rodrigue
He was really set up to take that next step forward then a fews weeks before the playoffs boom it all ended.
The hassle quickly stops becoming worth it for all sides and they leave.
Unless they're making millions in the USA they cant afford US taxes plus what they have to pay Russia in taxes as citizens living there working in a foreign land.
Most Country's have an agreement like Canada/USA with citizens only subject to taxes where they're employed and not the typical Temporary Labor situation like Russia treats it.
KHL may pay less but the players get to keep more there
Its Putin trying to give Russians a reason to stay home and build up his League
Many have returned from the NHL to do so but few Chose the KHL over the NHL/AHL until recent years
Now you see Krill Kaprisov's using that as leverage for lower term and higher cap in a deal MIN didnt want to do
Even Aho had to use offer sheets to get that kinda Leverage but Kaprisov just needed to say "i'll be the KHL's Gretzky and make double "