2018 Russian exodus?

[Rob]

I know there were a few players who came out and said it last year when the NHL banned participation in the Olympics that they were either going to the KHL or staying in the KHL because of this.  Do you guys think we're going to see a mass exit back to the NHL?  I know Kovie might have already come back if not for contract issues with New Jersey.  Will Gusev come play for Vegas?  Kaprizov, Nesterov, Khoklakev, Marchenko - any many others...

It's hard to get news out of Russia so I'm curious what you guys have heard.  Could make for some interesting draft choices and/or FA signings for us if it happens.

[izaman3]

I'll just say, that I paid a ton for Shipachyov in FNHL FA this year and got royally screwed. My team should make the playoffs, but I think I could have been a much stronger team if it weren't for Vegas GM/Coaching weirdness.

The man can play, I don't care if it was a 3 game sample in the regular season, he got me points.

Here in DNHL, Dadonov was one of my best pickups this year.

[SlackJack]

I'm bullish on both Nichushkin and Samsonov coming over next year. Read there has been payroll trouble with some of the smaller KHL teams though the higher price of oil might change that.

[WestCoastExpress]

I'll just say, that I paid a ton for Shipachyov in FNHL FA this year and got royally screwed. My team should make the playoffs, but I think I could have been a much stronger team if it weren't for Vegas GM/Coaching weirdness.

The man can play, I don't care if it was a 3 game sample in the regular season, he got me points.

Here in DNHL, Dadonov was one of my best pickups this year.

Not as bad since I didn't spend any money on him, but used a 3rd overall on him in here hoping for around a 2 fan/pt a game player.

I feel like the Russians feel way more comfortable at home and are content staying in their homeland though. Especially if they're on the only 2 teams that really matter, St.P and Moscow. If things don't go right here in North America and the NHL, it seems like an easy decision for them to bolt to the KHL rather than stick it out in the AHL for a year before getting a legit NHL opportunity.

There's also always payroll issues in the KHL, haha. Some of the players have a lot of back pay owing to them, but realistically who knows if they will get it. Wasn't there a team that didn't get paid for a whole season last year or the year before who are suing? Crazy.

[Rob]

I'm really hoping to see Gusev defect. I've seen nothing to indicate that he will, but, I'm hoping.

[WestCoastExpress]

I love how we call it defect to the NHL. When, they have all the choice in the world where they could go. They could play in the Swedish League even, haha.
I get the cultural and language barrier, but jeez, they sure do like to stay home.

Perhaps also playing into it is that rookies (not like Ship) get paid rookie scale for 3 years. In the KHL they can make a couple million or more, tax free, right off the bat.

To be fair though, think of yourself as a 22 year old...
$2m per year tax-free in your home country and home language, versus $950k heavily taxed in a foreign country where you don't speak the language..... Or even worse, sent to the AHL making $80k and still taxed, and riding buses for 14 hours.
I may just take the money too.