Recent interviews with Lada GM Alex Chebotaev & Sports Director Igor Maslennikov discussed some topics surrounding the team's return to the KHL
First, the discussed the previous 2022/23 season in the VHL. The team didn't compete well and nobody was happy with their result.
Lada Cup will feature Neftekhimik, Torpedo & Kunlun. They also mentioned that Lada are "already paired with Neftekhimik" and the agreement means they will play certain friendly/pre-season games.
The arena will be ready by 1st August. Plans in place with KHL to allow them to be a road team if any delays, but they are confident of 1st August.
Players can be signed from 1st May and a few current players may be returning, Groshev, Romanov, Chervoneko. However, these will be unrestricted and can also negotiate elsewhere. They also explain that "not many KHL-level players are available and because they can't negotiate until May it will be more difficult. They also state the team will be an old team as they can only talk with unrestricted free agents.
The reason for their wait for 1st May is to be integrated into the KHL contract system so payments etc can be monitored to stop any foul play.
Further, discussing players and contracts, they explain that Mikhail Nazarov and Andrey Belozerov left last season and joined Neftekhimi. Lada received 20m Rubles (around €221,000) for these players. However, any players who leave now leave under KHL format contracts as free agents, so no transfer or compensation will be paid.
There is a Supervisory board that consists of 4 members from Samara region government and one representative from AvtoVAZ (owner of Lada brand) and any transaction by the club above 3m Rubles (€33,000) needs to be reviewed and approved.
No rebranding
President Putin was gifted an album that documented the history of HC Lada during his recent visit to discuss with the owner.
edit:
The team made a profit of 5m Rubles thanks to their transfers, which is "very good" for the VHL level. €55,000 or so.
Russian link is here: Хоккейный клуб «Лада» Тольятти
First, the discussed the previous 2022/23 season in the VHL. The team didn't compete well and nobody was happy with their result.
Lada Cup will feature Neftekhimik, Torpedo & Kunlun. They also mentioned that Lada are "already paired with Neftekhimik" and the agreement means they will play certain friendly/pre-season games.
The arena will be ready by 1st August. Plans in place with KHL to allow them to be a road team if any delays, but they are confident of 1st August.
Players can be signed from 1st May and a few current players may be returning, Groshev, Romanov, Chervoneko. However, these will be unrestricted and can also negotiate elsewhere. They also explain that "not many KHL-level players are available and because they can't negotiate until May it will be more difficult. They also state the team will be an old team as they can only talk with unrestricted free agents.
The reason for their wait for 1st May is to be integrated into the KHL contract system so payments etc can be monitored to stop any foul play.
Further, discussing players and contracts, they explain that Mikhail Nazarov and Andrey Belozerov left last season and joined Neftekhimi. Lada received 20m Rubles (around €221,000) for these players. However, any players who leave now leave under KHL format contracts as free agents, so no transfer or compensation will be paid.
There is a Supervisory board that consists of 4 members from Samara region government and one representative from AvtoVAZ (owner of Lada brand) and any transaction by the club above 3m Rubles (€33,000) needs to be reviewed and approved.
No rebranding
President Putin was gifted an album that documented the history of HC Lada during his recent visit to discuss with the owner.
edit:
The team made a profit of 5m Rubles thanks to their transfers, which is "very good" for the VHL level. €55,000 or so.
Russian link is here: Хоккейный клуб «Лада» Тольятти
