The exodus to Europe has begun, led by new Ranger Rick Nash.
NHL general managers could grow nervous that they might lose their stars to overseas injury. That risk is one way for players to make the owners sweat a bit, and themselves, as well.
Collective bargaining talks were put on hold for yesterday’s holiday, the NHL and the Players Association are expected to make contact today, although it doesn’t appear they’ll engage in heated negotiation.
The lockout is only in its third day, and already, North Americans are joining European natives in signing up to play overseas until there’s a new CBA. It happened in the last lockout, the one that cost hockey the 2004-05 NHL season, and the 1994-95 version. It’s not new, but it can give GMs sleepless nights.
“That’s their choice. I don’t question it,” Devils GM Lou Lamoriello said. “It happened before, and it happens with players during the regular season when they’re [unsigned].”
One high league official declined to interpret the migration across the ocean.
Nash is headed to Davos to play in the Swiss league with San Jose’s Joe Thornton, while St. Petersburg of the Russian Kontinental league confirmed that Devils winger Ilya Kovalchuk will play there during the lockout.
Martin Brodeur, the NHL’s all-time winningest goalie, said he’s considering playing in Europe, just not right away.
The players have to find their own insurance, which can be considerable, especially for players who have $70-$80 million left on their contracts. It can cost upward of $200,000 per season of remaining contract.
Others set for Europe include NHL MVP Evgeni Malkin to the KHL, Islander Mark Streit, to his hometown of Bern, Switzerland, and others such as Ruslan Fedotenko, Tomas Plekanic and Jiri Tlusty.
Meanwhile, the league is allowing teams to rent players at their practice ice, but they may not use the usual locker rooms or training facilities..