What's the difference between the Visnovsky and Kovalchuk situation?

[Rylant]

I know that Lubo has flat out said that he won't be back to the NHL this year. I have also heard that Kovy has said that he isn't 100 percent sure if he is coming back to the NHL this year, while Bill Daly says that the NHL and KHL have an agreement that prevents each league from using players who have contracts in the other league.

How does everyone see this playing out? Will the KHL let them play? Will Visnovsky just not play anywhere this year? Will Kovalchuk play in the NHL this year?

Russians on my teams are going to kill me...

Rylant

[lucifer316]

the difference is people care if kovalchuk stays

seriously though i am reading that kovalchuk is just staying as long as he can and is likely coming back

there are rumors swirling that there was supposed to be a 'mass' defection however most of those players are already back so thats not going to happen

maybe those guys forgot to tell kovy when they left

[Pengwin7]

Here's the difference:

Visnovsky's NHL Salary due:
2012-2013: $3m (pro-rated for shortened season, probably due about $1.6m).
END OF CONTRACT

Kovalchuk's NHL Salary due:
2012-2013: $11.0m (pro-rated for shortened season, probably due about $6m)
2013-2014: $11.3m
2014-2015: $11.3m
2015-2016: $11.6m
2016-2017: $11.8m
2017-2018: $10.0m
2018-2019: $ 7.0m
etc. etc. to 2025

Kovalchuk is due $68m+ in the next 6.5 NHL seasons.
Do you think he wants to void his contract by staying overseas?

[Ross The Boss Palmer]

If he wishes to play in the Olympics, he'll be back.

[rtstr]

Originally Posted by Pengwin7

Here's the difference:

Visnovsky's NHL Salary due:
2012-2013: $3m (pro-rated for shortened season, probably due about $1.6m).
END OF CONTRACT

Kovalchuk's NHL Salary due:
2012-2013: $11.0m (pro-rated for shortened season, probably due about $6m)
2013-2014: $11.3m
2014-2015: $11.3m
2015-2016: $11.6m
2016-2017: $11.8m
2017-2018: $10.0m
2018-2019: $ 7.0m
etc. etc. to 2025

Kovalchuk is due $68m+ in the next 6.5 NHL seasons.
Do you think he wants to void his contract by staying overseas?

Money will not be the reason he comes back. He would get paid more to stay in Russia and they wouldnt take half of it in taxes.

He's going to come back, but it's because he wants to play in the NHL and raise his family here.

[LawMan]

I keep hearing that “the NHL and KHL have an agreement to honour each other’s contracts” but I can’t find how that is enforced. From what I understand the IIHF has said that any player not honouring a contract will be barred from IIHF competitions ( i.e. Olympics). Further, I believe the KHL operates under the umbrella of the IIHF but the NHL does not.

So, if they stay in Russia both Kovy and Visnovsky will be barred from the 2016 Olympics. Obviously this is a big deal to Kovy who is going to want to play for Russia in Russia. Visnovsky did play in 2010 and will only be 38 in 2014 so he would still have a shot at making the Slovakian team maybe this will concern him maybe it won't.

I’m interested to see if the IIHF refuses to let a player play in the KHL once the new CBA is signed. If Visnovsky stays as he’s threating to it will be an interesting situation to see play out.

[Millhouse]

[QUOTE=rtstr;1052976]Money will not be the reason he comes back. He would get paid more to stay in Russia and they wouldnt take half of it in taxes.


Money is the exact reason Visnovsky wants to leave. Prorated contract for 48 games, to uproot family. Visnovsky never wanted to go to the Islanders, that is why he tried to veto the trade. He could spend time with his family, get paid the exact amount since KHL contracts are tax free (I hear) and he has already made his fair share on money in the NHL. I think he truely would like to retire to the KHL

[MarmotKing]

Vishnovsky is at the end of his career while Kovy is in his prime.

[Pengwin7]

The dish on the Kovalchuk situation from ESPN.


{EDIT: I wonder.... we know that the KHL All-Star game is slated for January 13th. I'm guessing there could be serious "internal pressure" on the Russians to stay for that game. They are probably waiting to find out if there is any way they can play, even if they have to pay a penalty/late fee to the NHL/their team. For example, I just read that Ovechkin is returning "because he has an injury".... that got me thinking... that "saying you have an injury" would be a good way out of not playing in the KHL All-Star game... and give Ovechkin reason to go back. Hmmm... any buyers on the "Internal Russian KHL All-Star Game" Pressure-Theory. It would explain Kovalchuk lingering in Russia. Can he stay until Sunday, play in the KHL All-Star game, make all the fans/owners happy, come back to the NHL after missing some training camp, pay a fine, everybody's happy???}

[Mr. Guru]

players try to get out of participating in the all star weekend here in the NHL, where accommodations and perks appear to be much better than the KHL. I highly doubt players will 'want' to play in the KHL all star game....especially with all the hype of a shortened season