KHL's Dynamo Moscow looking to lure Ovechkin to Russia?

[sparrowtrini]

But that was partly because of the Devils. They had to agree to void the contract. If they said no, then Kovy couldn't have signed in the KHL.

I don't think there's a chance the Caps void Ovi's contract, unless all of a sudden he starts scoring 10 goals a season on average.

Yes on the surface there is that difference. But your point afterwards has substance too.
It's really up to his attitude(he could start sulking, lack of care, become devisive to the dressing room) and lack of production.

Thus thyis is IS a very credible possibility.

[fungchen3]

I wouldn't be shocked if Ovechkin bolted for the K within 3-4 years if things don't drastically turn around in DC.

[Loch]

I wouldn't be shocked if Ovechkin bolted for the K within 3-4 years if things don't drastically turn around in DC.

I think things are turning around... sure Oates may not have much experience with 'shoot first' primadonnas but I think he has a good chance of working things out with Ovi, on the hull (err... whole).

I certainly wouldn't brett against it!

[MXHockey]

I think OVY bailing to the KHL is a definite possibility. Nothing to do with this article, necessarily, but how can you watch Kovalchuk just walk away from 100 million and bolt to the K and not think there is a risk here??

I would say that Ovy and Kovy are cut from the same cloth and if there is one guy (or I guess another guy) who would do it, it would be him.

He is a proud Russian and already said that he was playing in the Olympics regardless if the NHL told him "No." If there is one guy who exudes "the NHL doesn't own me!", its OVY.

Now that he has returned to glory and WAS is the old WAS, he is OK to stay. If things fell apart under Oates, I could have seen him bailing.

The Kovy thing completely changed the game IMO. Now, anyone can literally just quit their contract and go the the KHL. The fact that there were zero repercussions from it only ups the interest in those contemplating.

Great points here. I never thought of Ovy as a KHL risk, but this breakdown makes me re-evaluate it.

Three to four years from now the Capitals could have a different view of their team and be more than happy to accomodate a player that wants to leave. If a player wants to move on and has other options like the KHL, their respective NHL team would be foolish to hold them to their contract.

Even if NJ didn't have financial problems, I doubt the team would have stood in Kovalchuk's way if he wanted to leave regardless. It's just not worth the headache and locker room distractions.

[loco man]

It seems that we are in an era where contracts do not hold the same weight they did in the past. Maybe its a reflection of society, but honouring a contract seems much more like a choice than an obligation these days. Look at SK approaching NAS to void his deal. It only takes a few examples to set a new precident.

Regarding fighting it if a player decides to break his contract, I agree that most teams would not want the headache, PR mess, team disruption that it would be if they fought a player's decision to bail.

I think this may be a new reality to deal with. I never thought much about it before, but it is now a factor in considering trading for Russian players

[newfcollins]

The Hockey News had some stats in their latest issue. Last year's percentage of Russians playing in the NHL was at its lowest since the early 1990s.