Quote:
Originally Posted by burnitdown
I think you're missing the point. This has nothing to do with other people's wants. I'm saying they may choose to do that. Laugh at the Lazar example but he's the exact type of player this decision may affect. As a RFA coming off a crappy year, he won't have any leverage in contract talks and could potentially make more money playing in the KHL/Suiss leagues on a one year deal. Getting more money, regular playing time to help him develop, and a huge opportunity to compete in the Olympics that would likely never otherwise come could outweigh his desire to sign his qualifying offer and be in/out of the lineup next year.
Lazar is just a random example but regardless how you spin it, playing overseas next year on a one year deal just got more enticing.
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"Hi, I scored two points last season and was sat for more than half of my team's games. I'm still going to get a seven figure contract from my NHL team, but please, Mr. Russian Oligarch, pay me more. I don't actually care about you, I just want to use you to stick it to my current employer for refusing to send other players to go play in a tournament I will never sniff."
I got your point, dude. It's just not a significant risk. Only the KHL can pay the kind of salaries the NHL does, and even then, only for a very small number of players. They aren't going to bother on mid level players.
Also, I like how you completely glossed over my part about Hockey Canada's awkward position in your scenario.