[Rumour] CHL to ban Russians and Belarusians from the upcoming import draft

[sureLoss]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1499089120450203654

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Woah, that's pretty significant and I think perhaps a step too far.

[LIP MAN]

That’s a bit crazy, but I suppose they sanction based on country at this point. The FA list will be nuts for Russians if this is the case.

[joejoe3]

I understand if they are pushing back on teams that represent Russia.

But being born russian or being a citizen of russia doesn't mean they support what's going on with ukraine. Why penalize them for what that government is going.

That's not right.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Woah, that's pretty significant and I think perhaps a step too far.

I don't know man, how do you force change in Russia.

Clearly there is no appetite to engage them militarily. So you make things so difficult for the Russia people that they demand change internally.

I don't have an issue with this, I acknowledge that it sucks for those athletes, but honestly if Russia becomes an international pariah it might drive internal change.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Harbinger of things to come.... a war that may last years.

[sureLoss]

As some others have pointed out, this is probably a good thing in the eyes of Putin and oligarchs that run the KHL.

They want the top talent Russian kids to keep playing in Russia and feed the KHL.

[Ducay]

Having more Russians sympathetic to the West is in our interest since internal revolt is about the only way to stop Putin. Making more of them mad at the west for punishing kids isn't going to help.

Luckily its a pretty niche impact but still won't help the cause of getting more Russians fired up at their gov't

[FlamesAddiction]

I have no issue with it. Neither of those countries are considered friendly and it isn't unusual to limit entry to citizens from unfriendly countries. Playing in the CHL or being granted residency in Canada are not a human rights.

[Psytic]

Good. Eventually they will get tired of all these sanctions and bans and someone will find him in his bunker hopefully. The more pressure the better.

[Moneyhands23]

I am so conflicted. If the west hadn't interfered in 2014 helping to over throw the Ukrainian government this entire war may be avoided.

I think a lot of countries had a part in this and every one of them made things worse. Crazy bad situation all around.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Okay, just to play along, are we also going to deny student visas to Russian students wanting to attend university in North America? That seems like the next step here, but I don't think this helps. If anything, those willing to come over are far more likely to be progressive and open to western ideals. Punishing those people doesn't seem like a very effective tool, but I do take the point that it may cause people to demand change back home.

However, elections in Russia are very different than here, and I would be shocked if they were actually legitimate. Short of a revolution, I don't see any change in the near future.

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Okay, just to play along, are we also going to deny student visas to Russian students wanting to attend university in North America? That seems like the next step here, but I don't think this helps. If anything, those willing to come over are far more likely to be progressive and open to western ideals. Punishing those people doesn't seem like a very effective tool, but I do take the point that it may cause people to demand change back home.

However, elections in Russia are very different than here, and I would be shocked if they were actually legitimate. Short of a revolution, I don't see any change in the near future.

There have been talks about banning all green cards for Russian citizens. If they do, I could see this as a possibility as well. I have no real opinion on this, but I can't see this being a unity based approach.

War sucks so bad for everyone.

[djsFlames]

Punishing kids for the sins of their countries, not sure about this.

The younger generations are not like the dinosaurs that are plotting the war.

Also, like others said, I think you want to maintain good relations with the people of those countries where you can.

There are sensible places to cut ties and impose sanctions. I don't know if this one makes sense.

Also keeps more talent in Russia, and Lord Dickbutt would like that.

[nfotiu]

It seems like it would seem complicates or perhaps not even possible to process immigration of people from Russia right now and to physically move them here?

I'd imagine and hope this wouldn't apply to Russian born players already here.

[Zarley]

I don't think it's ever right to discriminate against a person based on their nationality or ethnicity, even in a situation like this.

I'm fine with sanctions against Russian entitles/organizations (such as banning Russia from the World Juniors), but a ban like this crosses the line ethically.

[Lanny_McDonald]

The Cold War is firing back up. Awesome!

[GordonBlue]

Originally Posted by Moneyhands23

I am so conflicted. If the west hadn't interfered in 2014 helping to over throw the Ukrainian government this entire war may be avoided.

I think a lot of countries had a part in this and every one of them made things worse. Crazy bad situation all around.

you're sounding like a Russian apologist.

I'm against this move to ban the CHL from drafting kids.

[Bourque's Twin]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

As some others have pointed out, this is probably a good thing in the eyes of Putin and oligarchs that run the KHL.

They want the top talent Russian kids to keep playing in Russia and feed the KHL.

I agree with this. It will drive more talent to the KHL.

It's a very drastic move that will impact a select few young men and their families. I'd rather see more sanctions and embargos.

[nik-]

They've been punishing the people responsible for 8 years now and it's done nothing. It's time to try and force change through other means.