Russian league unhappy with Kings
The Associated Press reports the following today:
``A newly formed Russian hockey league accused the NHL of poaching two of its players when the Los Angeles Kings agreed to terms with two draft prospects last week.
As a result, the Continental Hockey League (KHL), announced Thursday that it was no longer obligated to abide by a moratorium reached in July, when the leagues agreed against signing players that were under contract.''
The full story follows...
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By JOHN WAWROW
AP Sports Writer
A newly formed Russian hockey league accused the NHL of poaching two of its players when the Los Angeles Kings agreed to terms with two draft prospects last week.
As a result, the Continental Hockey League (KHL), announced Thursday that it was no longer obligated to abide by a moratorium reached in July, when the leagues agreed against signing players that were under contract.
In a news release, the KHL said the NHL violated that agreement when the Kings signed 2008 second-round draft pick, defenseman Vjateslav Voinov, and 2008 fifth-round pick, center Andrei Loktionov, on Aug. 27. The KHL said Voinov is currently under contract with Chelyabinsk while Loktionov is under contract with Yaroslavl.
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly disputed the KHL's claims in an e-mail sent to The Associated Press. Daly said the league approved both contracts "on the basis of evidence that the two players were free of contractual obligations elsewhere.
"The NHL is not in violation of any agreement with the KHL, nor are we in violation of our long-standing policy to respect the contracts of other leagues."
This is the latest dispute to arise between the leagues since the KHL, which is scheduled to begin play this month, was formed last spring to succeed the former Russian Super League.
The Predators suspended forward Alexander Radulov without pay after he broke his contract with Nashville to sign with a KHL team. Radulov, the Predators third-leading scorer last season, had one year left on his contract.
KHL president Alexander Medvedev has maintained that Radulov's signing was legal because it occurred before the two leagues reached a signing moratorium.
Medvedev is scheduled to meet Saturday with International Ice Hockey Federation officials, including president Ren De Fasel, in Zurich to discuss his league's dispute with the NHL.
Daly said the NHL is not involved in those meetings.
Daly still doesn't consider the KHL a major concern, which is how he refereed to the upstart league at the NHL draft in June.
"Of course we're disappointed with some of the things hat have happened since the entry draft but, no, I don't think I would change my answer today, that we don't consider the KHL to be a major concern," Daly said.
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Rich Hammond has covered the Kings, on a full-time or part-time basis, since the 2000-01 season. He was the beat writer for the entire John Torchetti era and has witnessed Bob Miller singing country music in a Nashville honky-tonk bar. A native of Los Angeles, Rich has worked at the Daily News since 1999 and also serves as the paper's deputy sports editor. E-mail Rich at rich.hammond@dailynews.com.
Jill Painter joined the Daily News in 2000 and during the last eight years she's covered the Dodgers, Cal State Northridge, UCLA, Kings, golf and everything in between. Even though she's from Colorado, she still freezes in the Staples Center press box but always manages to thaw her fingers in time to make deadline. E-mail Jill at jill.painter@dailynews.com.
This is just left-over remaining dispute that has been burning all summer long since the big Radulov controversy. They are trying to get back at us for the uproar over that and get out of the agreement. I believe both prospects gave their 30 day notice before signing with the Kings. They were fully compliant with the transfer policy as far as I know. The KHL is just looking for excuses.
I'll just say this about the looming KHL/NHL mess. Oy!
BOO HOO Ruskies! Our sympathies (NOT)
If they (the KHL) are mad about losing Voynov and Loktionov, Kings fans should be equally happy to have them in the organization.
This, to me, answers the question of; Are these kids really worth drafting?
You bet! Go Kings
Russian league mad.
Ahh - Blow Me!
F EM!!!
Lol at Deano Lombardo..nice touch.
Now we know why Voinov, rated higher (in the teens on some lists), was still around when we picked 32nd.
I will be so disappointed if he doesn't get to play for us in a couple of years or so.
Personally, I'd rather have Voinov playing over there in Russia, against men, instead of in Canadian Major Junior.
At least for next season.
Russia's already got lots of oil & natural gas---I just hope they aren't going to start hoarding hockey players as well!
I read some years ago that the Russian way is to do what you want now and then negotiate later if there are problems. Interesting and understandable psychology given their history. Someone will appease them somehow and this particular flap will blow over.
Maverick said it first and best.
This was handled openly and publicly with Dean talking specifics about these guys and their situations to the press. The KHL had every opportunity to step in and say "No that won't fly." Just mad that they lose a couple more to the better league. The Radulov thing was calculated and sneaky and shady. Far as I can tell this was handled properly and legally. They may not like their own labor laws, but that isn't our problem. Go Dean. Love the draft picks, like Mikheil said, proves they are worth something.
I'm stoked to see them both in Kings unis in 2-4 years.