Finally, in the long-playing story of Ilya Sorokin, Kirill Kaprizov and Alexander Romanov, clarity came. For the past few months, they have been in limbo, not understanding what they will do in the second half of 2020. Now, the NHL has dotted the i: a trio of newcomers from Russia will not be able to play in the playoffs starting on August 1, but when they conclude contracts, they will count the 2019/2020 season. It can hardly be called a full-fledged happy ending, but it is quite attractive for a reasonable compromise.
Back in May, Deputy League Commissioner Bill Daily said that clubs are most likely not allowed to declare players who did not participate in the regular championship. The NHL was not enthusiastic about the idea that some teams will have an advantage over others at the expense of European jokers. So a positive decision on Sorokin, Kaprizov and Romanov would be a pleasant surprise, in some way even a sensation. Nevertheless, the concessions made in the league may well persuade ex-CSKA players to go overseas and not twitch again. It will be in their interest.
What initially could confuse Sorokin, Kaprizov and Romanov when signing contracts with NHL clubs? Firstly, they would have remained without playing practice tentatively until January. Given that the KHL playoffs ended in March, it’s nine months without hockey. Secondly, all three after a colossal downtime would have to play for the pennies laid under the beginner’s contract. That is, our guys would lose not only time, but also money. Needless to say, in such a situation, the temptation is great to return to Russia and earn a few million more in these months?
Insiders Elliott Friedman and Frank Serawalli unanimously report that following the discussion of the collective agreement, the three Russians were allowed to sign contracts with their clubs (Alexander Romanov had already signed the agreement with Montreal) with the “burning” of the 2019-2020 season. At the same time, the league leaves newcomers without a bonus of $ 100 thousand. But these are trifles, given that the same Sorokin will become a limited free agent this fall. That is, in his overseas career there will not be a single season when he would play for less than a million dollars.
To a lesser extent, this decision of the NHL affected Romanov. Not only that, he already signed a contract with Montreal, thereby depriving himself of maneuver, so even between three and two seasons on a rookie contract is not such a big difference. With Kaprizov, the situation is somewhat different. Of all three, he had the greatest chance of debuting for Minnesota in August, in a series against Vancouver. Cyril, even playing with a sheet, was able to strengthen the “savages”. He was deprived of this opportunity, but he was left only a year under the contract of a beginner. On the one hand, this brought him closer to decent money, but at the same time reduced the time to impress the Wild management. It’s necessary to break the league immediately, without buildup. Six months of adaptation, as in the case of another Olympic champion Nikita Gusev, he can not afford.
“We have been waiting for Kaprizov for 5 years. If he signs a new contract in the NHL, that’s completely up to his conscience, ”a Minnesota fan tweeted. What is the likelihood that Cyril, after he was deprived of a chance to try his hand at the Stanley Cup, decides to spend the 2020/2021 season in Russia? Given that the next championship in North America is expected to last until mid-summer, and the regular season and playoffs will be held in the KHL in the usual time, he may well return to CSKA, and go to Minnesota after the contract with CSKA has been completed. Moreover, under the new collective agreement, only those who refuse to continue this season will not be able to return to the NHL.
If anyone is at a crossroads, it’s Whims. While Sorokin should not even think whether to sign a contract with the Islanders now or not. Unlike Cyril, Ilya initially aspired to zero chances to play in the playoffs. If he had at least three MVPs of the second most powerful league in the world, he would not have succeeded in breaking the Varlamov-Griss tandem at the decisive moment of the season. In the best case, Sorokin could try a bench of “islanders” in the event of injury to one of the goalkeepers. But within a few months, when the contract with Thomas Griss is completed, the best goalkeeper in Europe will be able to sign up for money adequate to his level. Ilya is entitled to claim $ 3-4 million as a bridge contract for a couple of years.
Whoever says that the time of rivalry between the NHL and the KHL has passed, the case of Sorokin and Co. shows that our overseas partners still see a threat in the Russian league. The permission to burn the year of the contract is a sign that people across the ocean understand: if you do not let the talented Russians make money in America, they will do it at home. CSKA leaders have received good money in recent years, and after “fat” times it is always difficult to go down. Even if a step back follows two steps forward. The NHL made its decision so that the financial issue between Sorokin and Kaprizov was no longer worried. The only thing left is to understand whether they are ready to wait six months to start playing hockey again. They are definitely not ready to push the start of the next season for the newcomers from Russia to the NHL.
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