Radulov rumoured to have signed a 3-year deal.

I hope all the bastards that wanted the Salary cap are happy now..

We will lose more players to other leagues..

Bettman you suck, *******

Radulov's situation was more about playtime / Trotz than money imho. They are well under the cap in Nashville.

I heard about the possibility of this happenning a few days ago. I thought it was unlikely he would leave especially after the NHL and Russia agreed to honour each other's contracts.

Also Mike York (PHX) / Joseph Stumpel (FLA?)

That sucks for Nell! I think he has him for 4 years at $5.00

Do you guys have an exempt list? He'd lose the player but at least he'd gain the salary.

No, he can buy him out though for half the price.

I lobbied for it but people didn't think it was worthwhile ~oops.

****

I never believed the rumours. wow.

Nell, I'll take on his contract for your 1st round pick this year

what a horrible deal you're offering

That's generally what Biatch does.

Yet somehow, people still take the deals.

Didn't they just agree to honour each leagues contracts?

Yes!

I have a feeling this story is nowhere near over, and will get MUCH bigger soon.
The timing is ridiculous, and the fact that its such a young star signed to a contract will force the NHL to really fight this one.

Am I the only one getting worried about the NHL starting to lose its monopoly over the best players in the world?
The Russian economy is booming at a time when N.America is really floundering....still way too soon, but who knows how this plays out going forward.

The guy with the big bucks running the KHL says the Radulov signing is a violation of the new agreement and will not allow the contract to stand. This battle will probably go until training camp when they decide to force Radulov to honour his one remaining year to Nashville thus prolonging his departure for one season.

As for getting worried...I'm no expert on Russian economy but I would imagine there are quite a few guys with plenty of (possibly dirty) cash to spend but the bottom line is the fans still need to come out and buy tickets. Maybe they'll come out in the beginning but eventually the thrill of seeing 'that goalie from the Cup finals' or 'that York guy who sat on the Phoenix Coyotes' bench' will wear off. I'm sure the league will continue to "steal" young players who would otherwise be forced to sign entry level contracts in the NHL and older players with a name that draws who are looking for one final big contract. I can't see a little competition being bad though.

according to the CIA factbook (2006):

russia's GDP: $1.75 trillion
usa's GDP: $13.13 trillion
state of california's GDP: $1.72 trillion

we've got the cash, we're just short on interest. I blame bettman.

lots of cash.......lots of dirty cash......lots of young guys with ridiculous amounts of money they never had before. Not millions, billions.

I'm not suggesting this league will compete with the NHL, but I am a little perturbed as a fan to see players I do like to watch, Jagr/Radulov, not playing in the NHL. And while its only a handful now, I don't like the possibility of it getting much larger in the future, maybe up to 20/30 names next year, and names of significance to some degree. I can live with the Mike York's who could be AHL bound for all I know....but when guys like Jagr+Radulov go, hmmm, not so sure the competition is a good thing.
Here's hoping there aren't more Radulov's to come.

hate to burst the US economic bubble (oh wait, too late!) but you don't have the cash either.
your too busy trying to pay it back to those who hold your lines of credit. (probably Japan, Saudi Arabia and China)

Canada should try to form some type of super league.

take a look at a current matchup of the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers. York and Emery would boost the star power on either side!

oh, you canadians.

Radulov = young player still bound by his entry level contract
Jagr = big name nearing the end of his career looking for that last big payday that he's probably not worth

When players in their prime start leaving then we can start to worry.

I forget who I was talking with about this, but don't you think david beckham's situation compares pretty well to what jagr's doing?

I don't follow soccer at all but isn't Beckham closer to his prime than Jagr?

I think beckham is done playing for england altogether. I don't follow it closely either, but it seems like the same concept... ungodly amounts of money in exchange for publicity from an aging foreign player.

the thing with beckham is that even in his prime he was never one to dazzle with tricks and beating people. he pretty much relied on having a great brain, great passing range and good passion for the game plus work rate. he's similar to a lidstrom type.

i would agree.

not saying Beckham was a phenomenal player, and the sports are very different, but as one who follows both sports, the signings are similar.
Beckham was about the contract and potential money with endorsements. Id guess Jagr was similar.

i guess maybe worry is a strong word, or we just disagree.

But as a fan, I hope Radulov doesnt leave. He was the guy I watched with the greatest interest when Nashville was on.
I also liked watching Jagr, as infrequent as his stellar play was last year. Still, there were nights where he was one of the Rangers best players last year.

you have point about the style of contracts that are leaving....but I still think these are guys in the upper echelon of the sport, or at least top 20% of the game.

Beckham did get a few caps (games) in for the national squad since moving to the MLS. Though overrated in many ways due to his GQ looks & that movie.

I follow both sports closely and based on Jagr's performance in the playoffs, I say it is clearly the other way around

beckham is one attractive man, though, isn't he...

I think Jagr and Beckham is not a fair comparison.

Beckham was brought to the States to basically sell the game here.