T1B

I know how everyone here loves Eklund, but he's started rating his rumors from e1 to e5, maybe that will help his credibility. Here's the latest....

From a very good source, "Atlanta was informed by Kovalchuk that he signed today in Russia with NO escape clause. (e4)" Looks like he will not be playing in the NHL along with Datsyuk. More on this as it develops

With Datsyuk and Kovalchuk going back home for equivalent money, how long until we see the Swedes, Fins, and Czechs follow? I mean why go to play in a foreign country for the Stanely cup, when you can play less games, make more money, and become a hometown hero? The arguement that "professional atheletes will want to play against the best talent in the best league" won't hold much water if a significant number of those "best players" start heading back home to Europe. With a $39 mil/team cap it's not outrageous to suggest that some non-NHL teams may match or beat that payroll which will lead to questions about the Stanely cup champ being the world's best team... Could all of this this lead to an NHL Europe Conference in 10-15 years?

I'm not saying that it will happen, I'm just musing... Also, the NHL and Russian hockey federation don't have a signed agreement. Who knows, even if this rumor is true, maybe the NHL teams won't have to honor the agreements that these players apparently signed.

If this is true, Atlanta is screwed, and I can't help but laugh at Hossa.

I don't see this being a huge issue, there are plenty of NA born and trained players to take the place of the few Euros that decide they don't want to play in the best league in the world.

I had a feeling that some players would opt to play in Europe where there isn't a cap. I'm disappointed that Datsyuk has left but Zetterberg re-signed for 4 years and the Wings have some money to go after a couple more free agents or perhaps pick up a player for a prospect or draft picks.

It would be a pretty big blow for the league to lose two of their most skilled young players in Kovalchuk and Datsyuk but you can't control what these guys are thinking. If they can't get their money here, they'll look elsewhere. I feel for Atlanta...had to trade Heatley, but got Hossa in return but they might lose their other young gun in the process. I don't like seeing this happen but I wasn't going to be shocked to see a few big name players play in Europe to get their money.

Kovalchuk signs a 5-year deal with Atlanta...
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2184498

As a fan of watching this guy play...great news. The Thrashers weren't a playoff team without him. Now you put him with Hossa and they are definitely a playoff contender. Hossa and Kovalchuk could possibly score 100 goals between the two of them.

Well he signed and then hopped on a plane back over to Russia to tie up some loose ends over there and go get his equipment. Apparently he won't be available until Wednesday at the earliest.

I'm with you Shoalzie... this does make them a playoff contender.

*cough*

http://acidqueen5426.blogspot.com/2005/ ... sting.html

Credibility? Please.