Quote:
Originally Posted by burnitdown
You don't think the KHL would jump at the opportunity to pay millions of dollars on one-year contracts to pull stars over and grow their league. Anton Lander reportedly signed a huge deal in the KHL and he's an AHLer. You're already hearing guys with contracts (Ovechkin, Kuznetsov) saying they'll go regardless so it's definitely very important to some. Theoretically, why wouldn't an up-and-comer like Lazar or Bennett take more money in the KHL on a one year contract, get more ice time to develop, and get the chance to play for Canada in the Olympics?
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First, the KHL is not going to pay someone like Bennett or Lazar (lol) the kind of money needed to lure them away from the NHL. But even if they would, why do you think these players would choose to sacrifice their NHL dream and hopes for a Stanley Cup in order to play in a tournament they wouldn't otherwise be named to participate? You are asking them to make a sacrifice on behalf of other people's principles and on behalf of your own wants. That is just totally selfish, dude.
But more importantly, Hockey Canada names Canada's team. And Hockey Canada is heavily dependent on the NHL's good will. NHL prospects and the availability of NHL arenas drives the World Junior Championships, for instance. The NHL also directly funds junior teams on both sides of the border through draft payments and help with the US national development program. Both Hockey Canada and USA Hockey would have to tread very carefully.