The Hockey News: Headlines: Radulov one of six players suspended from international play by IIHF

Radulov one of six players suspended from international play by IIHF

Nashville Predators' Alexander Radulov of Russia, celebrates after scoring against the Chicago Blackhawks during the third period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2007, in Chicago. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Nam Y. Huh

2008-07-18 12:20:00

Nashville Predators forward Alex Radulov was one of six players whose new contracts were suspended by hockey's international governing body on Friday until the legality of the deals could be investigated.

Radulov, under contract for another season with the Predators, signed a contract with a Russian team in the new Continental Hockey League (KHL). That deal seemingly would be in breach of a pact agreed to July 10 between the KHL, the NHL, the NHL Players' Association, and international hockey leagues in which contracts worldwide would be honoured and respected.

But the KHL contends the deal between Radulov and his KHL team was reached two days before the leagues agreed to obey existing contracts.

The International Ice Hockey Federation told the NHL, the NHLPA and the KHL that the international transfers of Radulov and five others are officially under investigation.

Nikita Filatov, Viktor Tikhonov, Jason Krog, Tomas Mojzis and Fedor Fedorov are also having their deals reviewed. All parties have until July 31 to submit documentation to the IIHF.

"We hope that this can be resolved amicably and in a timely manner," IIHF president Rene Fasel said Friday. "It is unfortunate that we are already facing such difficulties after the progress that was made last week.

"I am hoping that all sides can come to a solution."

Problems arose due to the lack of a transfer agreement between the NHL and KHL. A signing moratorium was established after representatives from the NHL, NHLPA, and IIHF met last week in Zurich, but the deal has yet to be signed.

The six players won't be eligible to participate in international transfers and competitions while the investigation is ongoing.

Filatov was chosen by the Columbus Blue Jackets with the No. 6 pick in the first round of the June draft and recently agreed to terms on an entry level NHL contract. Tikhonov, chosen No. 28 by Phoenix, came to terms with the Coyotes. Both players' Russian teams say they already had deals in place.

Krog, an NHL veteran, signed with Vancouver after he reportedly came to terms with a team in Russia. Mojzis, who played last season in Russia, has a new deal with the Minnesota Wild.

The KHL said it would accept the investigation, provided it was conducted within the framework of relevant legislation in the U.S., Russia and Canada, and in accordance with the labor law regulations of the NHL and KHL.

However, the KHL strongly opposed the decision to suspend the players.

"We do not accept the idea of suspending the contracts because this has not been agreed on by KHL and NHL," KHL president Alexander Medvedev said in a statement. "The mentioned players should not be made 'scapegoats' due to the fact that the memorandum of agreement has not been signed between the KHL and the NHL."

COMMENTS (13)

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Troy Posted
(2009-04-30 06:38:55)

Although I agree with you somewhat Pavel...guys like Malkin really wanted to play in the NHL. I would assume the same for Ovie. Arad is pissed because he is not getting star treatment because of obvious lack of ice-time.. The fact he'll make 4x as much (maybe) probably doesn't hurt either.

Pavel Posted
(2009-04-30 06:38:06)

What goes around comes around. Finally the NHL is starting to get the same treatment it's been giving other leagues. This time who knows what happens, and it probably doesn't matter that much. But from now on there will be no Malkins playing in NHL with their clubs given peanuts for them. And soon enough, no Malkins wanting to come to play in NHL. The time of hypocritical moneybags expecting to do as they wish all anywhere in the world is coming to an end. They'll be taught to respect contracts in other leagues, no matter how much they huff and puff.

Troy Martinson Posted
(2009-04-30 06:37:48)

Sorry Suzy...Put the shoe on the other foot and answer the following question: You are a disgruntled employee who believes you should be getting all the premium 9-5 shifts instead your stuck on nights doin part time only. You get offered a job doing exactly what you do now, lets say 2mins from your house instead of an hour. The boss is willing to pay you 4x as much as what your making now regardless what shift has been offered. Would you take it?....Fear not though Suzy, the NHL won't lose this battle, come to think of it, I don't remember them losing any of these battles before or have they?

suzy Posted
(2009-04-30 06:37:38)

i am very disappointed in the behavior of radulov and the few others that have signed the russian conracts. i am truly disappointed as a nashville predator fan and season ticket holder that has rallied behind the team that almost left and hoped that he would be a great part of the team that they are "trying" to build. but i do understand that money talks. but he sure did not put up the numbers that we were seeing the first year and were expecting of him last year. i think that if this is where the russians are going to go in the off season that alot of the teams might begin to keep it canadian or even look to more college players in the drafting next years.

Rich Posted
(2009-04-30 06:37:28)

After all is said and done, Rads will be damaged goods if he has to play in Nashville this year. Mysterious injuries, half-hearted effort, team disruption, potential bullseye on his back, you get the picture. For all that, the Preds, NHL, IIHL should force him to stay and play. He has a contract in good faith. Trust me the team front office is going nuts; it's just not in the press yet. Arnott the team captain has already said it will affect the clubhouse climate. This will open the flood gates for others looking for contractural loopholes to get out of their contracts. I hope his international suspension holds as well if this goes through. In today's world of "professional" athletes it's still money talks and BS walks. Maybe we should start calling them "mercenary" athletes.

The IRS Posted
(2009-04-30 06:37:27)

Caz, if you think a taxed 5 million dollar contract is better than an untaxed 4 million, you haven't seen what me and my boys charge NHLers in taxes. Not to mention how difficult we make the process. NHLers have to pay state and province income tax in every single location that they play in over 82 games. Not to mention Federal taxes in both America and Canada. Radulov was right to try and leave. If he becomes a star in the KHL, he'll sell more merchandise, get more advertising dollars, and be a home-town hero over there in Russiaville. With the Greenback so worthless right now, Russia could pay him in rubles and he'd still come out ahead.

Caz Posted
(2009-04-30 06:37:24)

Radulov had the potential to score 30+ goals and 70+ pts this year. I don't know why he couldn't scrape by on nearly $1 million this year and finish his entry level contract. If he would've put up those numbers and with the big contracts being handed out lately, I'm sure he would've been resigned to a deal similar to Carter/Perry/Richards/Getzlaf and make around $5 million per year. His new deal is just over $4 million (tax free mind you) so he's not really gaining much in the long run. If his motivation is money instead of wanting to play in his country, he's an idiot. It will be interesting to see how many teams draft Russians in the first couple of rounds next year.

Brian P. Posted
(2009-04-30 06:37:21)

I see the NHL and KHL bardering the contracts, allowing the players interests to weigh heavy on the decision process. Say the KHL keeps Radulov for allowing Filatov to be released, the NHL gives Nashville a compensotory draft pick and the thing is solved.