Quote:
Originally Posted by PeteMoss
Also need to consider the KHL factor in this. The NHL clearly values the European market given they have teams over there to start every season. The KHL is expanding to Finland next year and have talked with teams throughout Europe. If KHL players are allowed to represent their countries, you could see situations where a player goes to the KHL for a year to play at home and represent their country.
Alternatively the KHL players could become better known in those countries if they participate and that league could grow in Europe which would be trouble for the NHL.
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I don't think that's a credible threat. We know the World Championships are a much bigger deal in Europe than in North American, and yet how many European NHL players walk out on their teams to play in the WHCs? The only reason anyone is talking about this is because of Ovechkin, and the only reason he made the threat is because the Olympics are in Russia. He wasn't about to walk out on the Capitals to play in an Olympics being held in Norway.