The New Cold War is getting a bit chillier.
It is being reported that the Russian Ice Hockey Federation is threatening a 4-year suspension from national squads for players who leave their homeland.
While I understand the frustration the Russians may be feeling as they see player after player leave for the NHL, but if true these threats carry a stench of old-school Communist protocol.
If the Russian Federation wants to keep their young stars at home they need to show patience. The formation of the new Continental Hockey League (KHL) could be the foundation for a true rival to the NHL, but so far they are just throwing money at players and hoping they will come. Other important facets like equipment and medical staffs
that are far behind their counterparts in North America, horrific travel, lack of international television distribution and smaller arenas only add to the main concern which is that the most competitive players in the world are still playing in the NHL.
It may take just one name, a star with gas in the tank, to take the bait to add more legitimacy
to the new league. Until the smaller details get taken care of, it will be hard to lure the better players there or keep the promising younger talent home.
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