Senator's Prospect Kaigorodov Allowed to Leave Russia
Gennady Velichkin has allowed Ottawa Senator's prospect Alexei Kaigorodov to leave Metallurg Magnitagorsk to chase his dreams in the NHL. To some this is a shocking move. Could the man who has been seething since the departure of his "Golden Diamond" and "National Treasure" had a change of heart? Has he decided that it is best to allow his players to pursue their desire to play in the NHL? I don't think so.
Velichkin is trying to come across as a goodwill ambassador to the game of hockey. Citing that the Senators would be in danger of losing Kaigorodov's rights and that he would be entered back into the draft pool, he has this to say: "There will not be a lawsuit against Ottawa. We made a goodwill gesture toward Alexei. We hope he does not forget." Kaigorodov will be allowed to go to Ottawa for training camp and his contract in MM will not be terminated. The team has given him an unpaid leave of absence. If he does not make the NHL roster, he will not go to Bimington, but back to MM.
This is great for Kaigorodov, but it is not a situation where Velichkin is being understanding. Velichkin knows that it may be hard for a rookie to earn a roster spot on a tough team like Ottawa, if he doesn't, back to Russia you go. Velichkin looks good and the player is happy. The bigger implication of this move is that when court proceedings are started in the Evgeni Malkin case, he will have an example of a smooth player transfer to fall back on.
When Malkin's attorneys talk of the pressure he faced and passport-gate, Velichkin simply answers: "Your Honor, this boy is troubled and indecisive. We would not treat our prized player that way. Look at the favor we did for Alexei Kaigorodov. Malkin signed, he should be here." You can guarantee that this was a calculated move and one Velichkin planned out. He looks good to the player and his representatives and tries to set a presidant for how the Super League would handle players in the non-transfer agreement era, all the while hoping for a whopping settlement or getting his player back.
This situation gets more interesting by the day. RSL players abandoning ship for the NHL and NHL players doing the same for opportunities in Russia. Will it end amicably, probably not, but I am watching it like a movie of the week.
Velichkin is trying to come across as a goodwill ambassador to the game of hockey. Citing that the Senators would be in danger of losing Kaigorodov's rights and that he would be entered back into the draft pool, he has this to say: "There will not be a lawsuit against Ottawa. We made a goodwill gesture toward Alexei. We hope he does not forget." Kaigorodov will be allowed to go to Ottawa for training camp and his contract in MM will not be terminated. The team has given him an unpaid leave of absence. If he does not make the NHL roster, he will not go to Bimington, but back to MM.
This is great for Kaigorodov, but it is not a situation where Velichkin is being understanding. Velichkin knows that it may be hard for a rookie to earn a roster spot on a tough team like Ottawa, if he doesn't, back to Russia you go. Velichkin looks good and the player is happy. The bigger implication of this move is that when court proceedings are started in the Evgeni Malkin case, he will have an example of a smooth player transfer to fall back on.
When Malkin's attorneys talk of the pressure he faced and passport-gate, Velichkin simply answers: "Your Honor, this boy is troubled and indecisive. We would not treat our prized player that way. Look at the favor we did for Alexei Kaigorodov. Malkin signed, he should be here." You can guarantee that this was a calculated move and one Velichkin planned out. He looks good to the player and his representatives and tries to set a presidant for how the Super League would handle players in the non-transfer agreement era, all the while hoping for a whopping settlement or getting his player back.
This situation gets more interesting by the day. RSL players abandoning ship for the NHL and NHL players doing the same for opportunities in Russia. Will it end amicably, probably not, but I am watching it like a movie of the week.
posted by Bmetzer66 at 1:15 PM
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