Report: Nabokov Signs Deal to Play in Russia

According to multiple reports, goaltender Evgeni Nabokov has signed a four-year contract to play with St. Petersburg of the KHL. He became an unrestricted free agent on July 1, but is still on the market as teams have gone for less expensive options in goal. In 71 games last season with the San Jose Sharks, Nabokov posted a 44-16-10 record, three shutouts, a 2.43 GAA, and a .922 save percentage. He has played his whole NHL career in San Jose. I'm actually kind of surprised by these reports, as Nabokov seemed to be on a lot of teams' radars. More than likely, his asking price was too much for many NHL teams, who have opted to go for more affordable goaltending talent this summer. The KHL just got themselves a very talented goalie.

***UPDATE***
The deal is reported now to be a six-year contract worth $24 million.

Lacouture Leaves Hurricanes for KHL?

According to tsn.ca, Carolina Hurricanes left wing Dan Lacouture is believed to have left the team for Russia to play in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). The Hurricanes are not sure which team Lacouture intends to sign with, but will suspend him if he signs in the KHL. Lacouture signed a one-year contract with the Hurricanes in October after being invited to their training camp on a tryout basis. In 11 games so far this season, Lacouture has two goals. He has been playing in the Hurricanes' AHL affiliate, the Albany River Rats, since November 4. If Lacouture does indeed sign in the KHL, it will fuel the feud between them and the NHL, with the KHL abandoning its policy of honoring players already under NHL contracts. Lacouture is a marginal player at best, so the NHL should not feel too threatened by his defection to the KHL. The best players the KHL has lured over to Russia are Jaromir Jagr and Alexander Radulov, with the rest being 4th line and marginal players. If the KHL continues to attract sub-par talent to their league, they will never be a serious threat to the NHL.

Senators Trade Nikulin to Coyotes

On Sunday, Ottawa Senators prospect center Alexander Nikulin told the team he wanted to be traded by Monday or he would sign a contract with CSKA Moscow of the KHL. Nikulin got his wish on Monday, as the Senators traded the disgruntled forward to the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for defenseman Drew Fata. Senators General Manager had a difficult time working out a trade due to the fact that the other teams were unsure if Nikulin would remain in North America even after the trade if he could not secure a roster spot. Murray found a trade partner with the Coyotes, who did not have to give up much in return. Nikulin played two games last season with the Senators, going scoreless. Fata was signed as a free agent by the Coyotes over the summer. Last season, Fata played in five games with the New York Islanders, scoring one assist. Neither player has played any NHL games so far this season. If Nikulin decides to remain in North America, the Coyotes have another talented prospect to build their team with. Nikulin could provide decent offensive depth for the Coyotes as long as he doesn't leave for Russia. However, since the Coyotes did not give up much to acquire him, it will not be a huge loss to the team if Nikulin decides to return to Russia. Fata likely won't see much playing time with the Senators this season unless there is a lengthy injury to their blueline in the future.

Canadiens Lose Prospect Valentenko to the KHL

According to the Moscow Dynamo website, Montreal Canadiens defensive prospect Pavel Valentenko has signed a three-year contract with the KHL team. The Canadiens' AHL affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs, had just granted Valentenko a leave of absence to deal with family matters in Russia when the signing was announced. Valentenko is the second prospect the Canadiens have seen return to Russia in the past few years. Forward Alexander Perezhogin left the Canadiens two years ago to sign with Ufa Salavat after disputes over ice time and contract terms. While it is always hard for a team to lose a top prospect, the Canadiens still have plenty of quality prospect defensemen, including Ryan McDonagh, Yannick Weber, P.K. Subban, David Fisher, Mathieu Carle, and Alexei Yemelin. The loss of Valentenko won't hurt the Canadiens in the long run.

Radulov Wants to Remain in Russia

According to the Canadian Press, Nashville Predators forward Alexander Radulov says he wants to remain in Russia and help his country grow the sport. Radulov has also claimed that he will not hold any negotiations with the NHL of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). Radulov left the Predators over the summer to sign a contract with the Kontinental Hockey League. He was still under contract for one more year with the Predators. Radulov was suspended indefinitely by the Predators in September. The Predators still own his rights for one more NHL season if he returns to the league. Radulov's words clearly state his intention to remain in the KHL. It is likely at this point that he will never return to the NHL, and if he ever did, he would likely not be greeted warmly by the Predators' management and players.

Rangers Prospect Cherepanov Dies During KHL Game

The hockey world received some tragic and shocking news on Monday when New York Rangers prospect forward Alexei Cherepanov collapsed on the bench at or near the end of Omsk's Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) game and died a short time later. He was just 19 years old. Efforts were made by medical authorities to get Cherepanov's heart beating again after it had stopped. According to reports out of Russia, the ambulance at the arena had left and had to be called back again. There are also reports that it took Cherepanov 15 to 20 minutes to be transported to the hospital and that defibrillators at the arena may not have been in good working order. Cherepanov had set the RSL record for goals by a rookie that had previously been held by Pavel Bure. He was drafted in the 1st round, 17th overall in 2007 by the Rangers and helped lead Russia to a bronze medal at the 2008 World Junior Championships.

Radulov in Breach of Contract, According to IIHF

According to tsn.ca and files from the tennesseean.com, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has found Alexander Radulov in breach of his contract with the Nashville Predators. However, he will not be suspended by the Federation. Over the summer, Radulov signed a three-year contract with Salavat Yulayev Ufa of the Kontinental Hockey League with one year still remaining on his current contract with the Predators. The KHL claimed the move was legal because at the time, there was no transfer agreement in place between the NHL, IIHF, and KHL. The KHL has agreed to have the Radulov case settled through binding arbitration, though they want the hearing held in Russia. The NHL has accepted arbitration in the matter, but had requested it take place in Switzerland, the home of the IIHF. The KHL has yet to respond to the NHL's request. As I mentioned before, Radulov's sole reason for defecting to the KHL appears to be monetary. He is the latest player to fall to the greed of an expensive, lavish contract. The longer he defies the NHL, the less likely he will be greeted back warmly by the Predators and their fans.

Radulov Case Headed for Arbitration

The Kontinental Hockey League as agreed to binding arbitration with the NHL over the contract status of Alexander Radulov. The time and location of the arbitration hearing has not been decided, and that will likely be difficult to work out. The KHL agreed to arbitration only if the hearing can be performed in Russia, which the NHL deems unacceptable. The NHL wants a neutral location for the arbitration hearing to avoid any bias toward the KHL if the hearing is in Russia. In July, Radulov announced he was leaving the Nashville Predators to sign a three-year contract with Ufa of the KHL with one more season remaining on his current contract with the Predators. The NHL has argued that Radulov cannot play in the KHL because he is still under contract with the Predators. Radulov has since been suspended by the Predators indefinitely without pay and has also been suspended from international competition. The NHL recently announced that the final year of Radulov's contract can be upheld if and when he returns to the NHL. The likely driving force behind the defection is money. Radulov can make more money playing in the KHL next season than if he played the final year of his contract with Nashville. With the Predators facing bankruptcy in 2007, the team has been trying to keep player contracts low for now. Radulov needs to realize the Predators cannot afford to pay him the money he could get in Russia. If it were not for the current financial hardships of the team, Radulov would likely get a considerable raise from the Predators due to his offensive skills. Too many players in the NHL today care about signing expensive contracts and earning lots of money rather than winning championships and icing the perfect team. Unfortunately, Radulov is the latest player to be swept up in the greed for money. If Radulov continues to defy the Predators and the NHL, that will not likely sit well with the Predators' players and management, who may not want him back if decides to return to North America.