Quote:
Originally Posted by Anduril
The KHL is a possible concern but aside from Radulov, what other prominent player has run back to Russia in the prime of their career?
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-Yashin, Alexei
However, the issue really isn't with them returning in their prime. It's with them leaving during the development process.
Given the choice between playing in a city where you don't speak the language, you have to play in the minors, and have to make a heavily taxed minimum salary vs. going to Russia, being a celebrity, making a lot more money, and getting play in the big leagues...what do you do? For bonafide NHL superstars, the NHL is the best choice. For the others it's a massive risk.
I don't blame them either. They don't owe the NHL anything just because they were drafted. Most get drafted by other leagues too.
It just seems as though, as soon as their career hits a snag, the Russians are bolting for the KHL these days. Look at what happened with Cervenka. If he was a local, he would have, first of all, adjusted more easily, then stuck it out, and we might have had a solid asset there. Instead he comes here, has a decent season, and then takes off when he's not a superstar.
Edit:
To summarize, it's not just the Russian thing. It's the combination of being Russian and having to work to be a 1st line player. I wouldn't pass on a talent like Yakupov. However, Nichushkin falls just below there, and that is where the risk is. A talent level that is going to have to work hard to secure a place in the NHL, but talented enough to get a big contract in the KHL.