Vladimir Putin offers $30 million to NHL Stars

[OneManIsNoMan]

Thought this was interesting

Dustin Leed via twitter: Pavel Datsyuk, Evgeni Malkin, Ilya Kovalchuk and Alex Ovechkin were guaranteed $30 million each by Russian President Vladimir Putin to remain in the KHL. Update: Original source came from David Satriano of the NY Post:

I've been hearing that different players are considering going back to the KHL when their NHL contract expires. I wonder if in the near future the KHL will be a bigger competitor for the top players in the world.

[carson005]

And they still said no?

If anything this shows how superior the NHL is and will continue to be.

[kmo429]

The KHL is scum. KHL needs multi million dollars in extra cash and bribes to even entertain the possibility of keeping star players. All the NHL needs is its name.

[GrkGawdofWalkz]

And they still said no?

If anything this shows how superior the NHL is and will continue to be.

Exactly. I totally agree 100%.

[penguins2946]

What tools. The comish of the KHL needs to go screw himself. Such classless piece of trash. He makes this deal with the NHL to honor contracts, then he starts doing this BS. Such a hypocrite.

[Halladay]

After the KHL plane crash I'm surprised people still play in that league. Travelling in Russia is notoriously sketchy.

[Seguin]

I don't see an issue. His job is to make his league the best it possibly can be

[KingerSox]

I could care freaking less. The NHL will always be the best league in the world. Two words.. "Stanley Cup". If some of the Euros want to stay over in that league, fly around on 40 year old airplanes and play pond hockey and eat that food, I guess they call it food, let them go for it. It's just hilarious how they're making a big fuss about the NHL needing to go the Olympics in Russia and one year before they're trying to pouch NHL players. Not so smart me thinks. The owners want no part of the Olympics anyways.

[penguins2946]

Let's put it this way: If Malkin, Ovi, Kovalchuck and Datsyuk leave, the NHL won't let the players leave for the Olympics. I can bet that a bunch of players all over the league wouldn't be happy with those 4 making that much money so the others can't go to Socchi.

[jrm2054]

He better keep his filthy hands off Malkin the rest ahhh take em.

[fingerbang]

The KHL's current financial structure puts it in a position to go down faster than a 10 dollar whore.

[faridk89]

And they still said no?

If anything this shows how superior the NHL is and will continue to be.

one word, sponsorships.

[KingsnQueens7]

Take Malkin :P just kidding that just ruins the competition. KHL is catching up on us and I blame the lockouts. We have every right to be afraid of them becoming the worlds premier league and I don't like it. Who the hell does Putin think he is? Trying to bribe players to stay over? Makes me damn sick I don't know about you guys.

[statquo]

Take Malkin :P just kidding that just ruins the competition. KHL is catching up on us and I blame the lockouts. We have every right to be afraid of them becoming the worlds premier league and I don't like it. Who the hell does Putin think he is? Trying to bribe players to stay over? Makes me damn sick I don't know about you guys.

Are you sure you don't have the flu going around?

[KingsnQueens7]

Are you sure you don't have the flu going around?

I hope not