Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruttiger
Was thinking this morning this isn't the worst thing in the world, to have Russians slowly migrating back to play in a viable league at home. The thing that has killed the intrigue and mystique around playing the Russians over the past 20 or so years is, in addition to the end of the cold war, having all their best players playing in the NHL.
I know, for our own selfish reasons, a lot of people want the best players playing in the best league because it's in our backyard. But if you can be well-compensated, and in many cases, better off than if you played in the NHL, with the added benefit of being able to play in our home country, how many of us wouldn't consider the same choice?
If this pattern continues, I think you'll start to see the re-emergence of the power of the Canada-Russia hockey rivalry. It may never be what it was in the 70's and 80's, but I would relish the feel of some of those classic Canada-Russia games again, bolstered by the fact the players wouldn't be quite so familiar to us anymore.
Haven't read the whole thread yet so not sure if these thoughts were covered already. Just my two cents.
|
There is also the appeal of builidng something over there. The KHL may not be the best league in the world at this point, but it wants to be and is progressive in achieving that.
I used to work for one of the biggest and most successful engineering companies in the world, but I left for a small upstart company with big goals. There is a lot to be said for being part of something that is building (it's not always about being part of something that is the best and was the best before you ever arrived). Being financially compensated for joining is one positive, but there are other positives that people over look. The KHL might not be the best, but it is an exciting time for them.