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According to a report in the Toronto Star, a Russian tycoon has hired former NHL Players' Association executive Bob Goodenow to help create a new professional European hockey league that

DontgoZiggy · December 15th, 2007, 02:29 PM

Quote:

According to a report in the Toronto Star, a Russian tycoon has hired former NHL Players' Association executive Bob Goodenow to help create a new professional European hockey league that would compete for players with the NHL.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=225259&hubname=nhl

If this takes off I wonder how much it will affect the NHL. How would you feel if a Euro/ Russian team poached Frolov and compensated the kings $200,000 That could really throw a spanner in the works of the NHL salary cap.

Quote:

The likelihood of a new European league has increased in recent years as hockey federations in Russia and elsewhere in Europe have grown disenchanted with the NHL over its recruitment of their best players.

At the same time, Medvedev has ample dollars to start a competitor to the venerable NHL.

http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/285910

**pucktheducks** · December 15th, 2007, 02:34 PM

Just dont see it.

Bogey · December 15th, 2007, 02:38 PM

I wonder how many players would want to get involved with a league that was created by that meat-head Bob Goodenow.

DontgoZiggy · December 15th, 2007, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bogey Man

I wonder how many players would want to get involved with a league that was created by that meat-head Bob Goodenow.

I think moneys a big persuader though.

bubbaganoush · December 15th, 2007, 02:59 PM

I could see it screwing the NHL to some extent... The dollar is weak and getting weaker. The players are able to stay close to home. They get to travel to different countries instead of states.

TooCool · December 15th, 2007, 03:05 PM

Out of the 4 major sports (MLB, NBA, NHL, NFL), the NHL is the weakest one. I can see it happening *if* the players get the money they seek over there.

Other than that, this is where the big boys play.

DontgoZiggy · December 15th, 2007, 03:20 PM

I think that it would take a while to establish, but it might cause even more problems getting some young Euro players into the NHL. If the ovechkins (sp?) of the coming drafts have the option of playing in their own country for the same or better money than what is available in the Nhl (due to cap space etc) who knows if they would play here. Once established it could potentially end up poaching star north american players and young N A players.

on the bright side it might kick the NHL into better marketing and availabilty of viewing games.

**Mr. Irreverent** · December 15th, 2007, 04:57 PM

Competition is GOOD thing. Maybe now the NHL will get off their ass and do things to help the sport. This is a win-win situation for everybody.

Bogey · December 15th, 2007, 08:08 PM

Wasn't there talk of a rival league forming (that never materialized) during the lockout?

Exodus1045 · December 15th, 2007, 08:34 PM

they were gonna start up the WHA again...i think gordie howe was comming back too

trdi · December 16th, 2007, 02:00 AM

This might get ugly. Russia has many billionaires and they are all sport fanatics. A hockey club toy for everyone - I can see that happening.