Czechia will not care about an NHL team complaining (nor should it). However, they should start to listen to Putin's opposition that live mostly outside of Russia right now. They think this is a terrible idea, as many people who are fleeing are in fact people that oppose Putin. To not give them a place to go to is basically forcing them into Putin's jails, and then into Ukraine as Russian soldiers.
We are seeing the borders and flights out of Russia being swarmed right now, and a whole bunch of groups are popping up with ways to get out of Russia. Who is swarming? Fighting aged-men mostly. Many of the ones that aren't able to get out are purposefully breaking an arm or a leg trying to stay out. Protesters who are of fighting age are being served their army papers in jail.
I really believe that the visa sanctions will at least be temporarily halted to allow people out of Russia who would otherwise be forced to the front as soldiers for Russia. It makes 100% sense to try and get them out, and even Nevalny's supporters (the largest opposition group to Putin) is screaming at these European countries to cease with all visa restrictions and instead increase other economic sanctions against Russia. Even some of the opposition to Putin is having to flea the country as Putin is trying to tighten his grip at the moment.
From a hockey-related viewpoint, this will hopefully end up as nothing and San Jose will be playing in Czechia shortly. Everyone can definitely understand Czechia's position, however, as it does mirror the position of many other countries just trying to do their best against Putin's regime. I do think these visa sanctions will be reinstated after a while, but for now, they absolutely should be halted to allow people to be forced to fight FOR Russia, and to allow more people who are being targeted by Putin as opposition members to leave safely.
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