OT: Russia/Ukraine and the Washington Capitals thread (mod warning post #1)

[EstesSquare]

Mod Edit: Due to the NHL releasing a statement condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, limited discussion on the situation will be allowed. Same rules for this thread apply just as any other thread: no politics, no flaming, no trolling. Those who violate the rules — especially posters from other teams — will be banned at a minimum. The only discussion allowed is how this relates to hockey.

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[Alexander the Gr8]

Regardless of Ovechkin's citizenship status, the US spent decades breaking down the Iron Curtain, I can't imagine that they would send home and antagonize all Russian citizens who have done nothing wrong.

 

[EstesSquare]

Regardless of Ovechkin's citizenship status, the US spent decades breaking down the Iron Curtain, I can't imagine that they would send home and antagonize all Russian citizens who have done nothing wrong.

They wouldnt have to send them home they just can not work.

Here is the other part. Ovechkin wife and kids and other family like many russians are still living in Russia. Now there is 0% chance of them sending money or using their most likely USA or Canada banking russian accounts which will be scary for them.

Dominik Hasek brought it up the other day and now USA congressmen are bringing it to the table for further sanctions.

Wayne Gretzky on TSN few hrs ago also agreed that they should be banned from playing World Juniors and that banning them is a strong possibility

 

[EstesSquare]

Russian athletes and owners are now walking away from their jobs in Europe. Owners of soccer teams are now not even allowed to enter any FIFA operated facility so most owners are now walking away.

Russian employees and students in England are now leaving due to 2 reasons. 1) they have fear they will be banned or restricted and will have no where to go with no access to funds. Travel bans are going on as we speak and further bans are coming in place by end of week.

 

[EstesSquare]

Soccer governing body FIFA now has banned RUSSIA from World Cup and also Russian nationalists in 4 countries to participate.

FIFA has also banned Russian referees from participating in any events effective immediately including the World Cup.

IIHF has banned Russia from ALL events. And all Russian officials have been removed from their duties effective immediately.

 

[VaCaps Fan]

f*** Hasek…

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

They wouldnt have to send them home they just can not work.

Here is the other part. Ovechkin wife and kids and other family like many russians are still living in Russia. Now there is 0% chance of them sending money or using their most likely USA or Canada banking russian accounts which will be scary for them.

Dominik Hasek brought it up the other day and now USA congressmen are bringing it to the table for further sanctions.

Wayne Gretzky on TSN few hrs ago also agreed that they should be banned from playing World Juniors and that banning them is a strong possibility

Suspending their work visas = sending them home in 95% of cases (except for students and some other rare cases). Kicking out Russian banks from the SWIFT network doesn't do a thing for individuals like Ovechkin whose primary source of income is his contract with the Washington Capitals, paid entirely in USD.

 

[ViD]

I think most of Russian players who have played in the US for a long time have green cards / citizenship anyway

 

[EstesSquare]

Suspending their work visas = sending them home in 95% of cases (except for students and some other rare cases). Kicking out Russian banks from the SWIFT network doesn't do a thing for individuals like Ovechkin whose primary source of income is his contract with the Washington Capitals, paid entirely in USD.

Not sure if you dont understand but if he is unable to work he will not be allowed to PLAY and get PAID.

2nd. You likely do not know how it works but if he is not a dual citzienship most Canadians and Euros including Russians that have bank accounts in USA are based off their current VISA and the ones who have lived in the same country on a visa for a while most likely they are using their own nationalistic banks.

Canada basically dominates the USA banking industry.

Ovechkin likely uses Chinese banks that are situated in Russia but he is unable to gain access to funds in Canada or USA. So he would have to open up a international account and then send money to his Russian account. This would be impossible for him now as everyone but organizations situated in Europe can no longer gain access to their funds. And effective next week no Russian bank will be able to receive or send funds to any bank in the world.

The chaos for Russians athletes will be extremely stressful.

 

[Corby78]

Well if nothing else we have the Built in excuse for the incoming 5-1 loss tonight

 

[EstesSquare]

I think most of Russian players who have played in the US for a long time have green cards / citizenship anyway

I just looked it up. Ovechkin is not a USA citizen and plays under a Russian - European athlete J14 and a O-1 Visa.

His wife for some reason is not allowed to work in the USA and can only remain in the USA for 90 days a year as for whatever reason she is not part of any marital visa. My guess is because its for her own work related visa so she must have business in Russia or somewhere in Europe

 

[EstesSquare]

Also found out that Ovechkins Visa as all russian visas expire on first Wednesday of every April. If he needs to extend it to play in playoffs he has to get a visa every 7 days as its amended so he can play in other cities or in Canada during playoffs.

 

[Nut Upstrom]

They wouldnt have to send them home they just can not work.

Here is the other part. Ovechkin wife and kids and other family like many russians are still living in Russia. Now there is 0% chance of them sending money or using their most likely USA or Canada banking russian accounts which will be scary for them.

Dominik Hasek brought it up the other day and now USA congressmen are bringing it to the table for further sanctions.

Wayne Gretzky on TSN few hrs ago also agreed that they should be banned from playing World Juniors and that banning them is a strong possibility

Gretzky is just worried about his goal scoring record.

 

[EstesSquare]

Gretzky is just worried about his goal scoring record.

dont think he cares.

i would love to see players break records but i know that Ovechkin is chasing and he can play for ever to just break it. He also played in a time where he has so much freedom to score. Gretzky played half his career in clutch and grab and way more physical game.

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

Not sure if you dont understand but if he is unable to work he will not be allowed to PLAY and get PAID.

2nd. You likely do not know how it works but if he is not a dual citzienship most Canadians and Euros including Russians that have bank accounts in USA are based off their current VISA and the ones who have lived in the same country on a visa for a while most likely they are using their own nationalistic banks.

Canada basically dominates the USA banking industry.

Ovechkin likely uses Chinese banks that are situated in Russia but he is unable to gain access to funds in Canada or USA. So he would have to open up a international account and then send money to his Russian account. This would be impossible for him now as everyone but organizations situated in Europe can no longer gain access to their funds. And effective next week no Russian bank will be able to receive or send funds to any bank in the world.

The chaos for Russians athletes will be extremely stressful.

I understand that no work visa = he can't play in the NHL anymore. I don't think it will come to that, it's a drastic and unnecessary move. The US won't pour oil on the fire, they're not trying to start WW3 here.

By the way, I am a European citizen who immigrated to Canada 16 years ago with my parents, I have a very good understanding of what financial institutions one might be using when moving to NA from Europe or Russia.

Finally, none of us know where Ovechkin's money might be. My educated guess is that he likely has millions in both countries and money will never be an issue for a guy whose net worth is in the 9 figures.

 

[g00n]

There is nothing to be gained from removing average citizens on visas. The US already has plenty of recourse when it comes to removing actual spies or insurgents.

This is all probably smoke, and possibly disinfo designed to sew division and distrust.

 

[BiPolar Caps]

There is nothing to be gained from removing average citizens on visas. The US already has plenty of recourse when it comes to removing actual spies or insurgents.

This is all probably smoke, and possibly disinfo designed to sew division and distrust.

Disagree. So far NATO and the west have pursued the economics with the sanctions, the military support with delivering weapons and related equipment support to Ukraine, but another avenue is via culture and cultural events which includes sports. Russia is trying to downplay to their citizens the events in Ukraine. Just like, folks on these boards are viewing sports and hockey as a distraction from world events, one would imagine that many Russians may agree with that. But when the reality that their soccer team may not get to compete in the World Cup (both Sweden and Poland were scheduled to play Russia in March and are refusing to do so) and soccer is big in Russia and to follow up with their top hockey stars being unable to compete in the top hockey league in the world that's one more thing that might resonate with the Russian people along with the ruble plummeting in value. Bottom line, I believe to stop Putin and what's going on it's going to have to be done from within/internally via a coup or perhaps a Valkyrie moment.

 

[g00n]

Disagree. So far NATO and the west have pursued the economics with the sanctions, the military support with delivering weapons and related equipment support to Ukraine, but another avenue is via culture and cultural events which includes sports. Russia is trying to downplay to their citizens the events in Ukraine. Just like, folks on these boards are viewing sports and hockey as a distraction from world events, one would imagine that many Russians may agree with that. But when the reality that their soccer team may not get to compete in the World Cup (both Sweden and Poland were scheduled to play Russia in March and are refusing to do so) and soccer is big in Russia and to follow up with their top hockey stars being unable to compete in the top hockey league in the world that's one more thing that might resonate with the Russian people along with the ruble plummeting in value. Bottom line, I believe to stop Putin and what's going on it's going to have to be done from within/internally via a coup or perhaps a Valkyrie moment.

Punishing the national team by revoking invitations within the rules of a competitive organization (FIFA/UEFA/etc) and punishing individual athletes playing in leagues overseas with legal contracts via government visas are not the same thing.

 

[BiPolar Caps]

Punishing the national team by revoking invitations within the rules of a competitive organization (FIFA/UEFA/etc) and punishing individual athletes playing in leagues overseas with legal contracts via government visas are not the same thing.

The importance of sports and the healing of a nation's psyche cannot be overlooked. One just has to look at the U.S.. On Friday, November 22, 1963 JFK was assassinated yet the NFL went on with the football schedule that Sunday, November 24th while Kennedy laid in state in the Capitol Rotunda. Kennedy was a big fan of football and the family (Pierre Salinger) felt that JFK would want the games played. MLB was postponed for a week after 9/11 but then MLB Commissioner Bud Selig understood how important it was for the country and the healing to get MLB resumed and of course it was celebrated in NYC with the Piazza walk off against the Braves in the first game back. Sports is important to people and denying people their sports is just as important to their psyche and that's why Hasek's comments/suggestions has some value.

 

[g00n]

The importance of sports and the healing of a nation's psyche cannot be overlooked. One just has to look at the U.S.. On Friday, November 22, 1963 JFK was assassinated yet the NFL went on with the football schedule that Sunday, November 24th while Kennedy laid in state in the Capitol Rotunda. Kennedy was a big fan of football and the family (Pierre Salinger) felt that JFK would want the games played. MLB was postponed for a week after 9/11 but then MLB Commissioner Bud Selig understood how important it was for the country and the healing to get MLB resumed and of course it was celebrated in NYC with the Piazza walk off against the Braves in the first game back. Sports is important to people and denying people their sports is just as important to their psyche and that's why Hasek's comments/suggestions has some value.

'

All of those things were important to the people in the country where the sport was taking place.

So you think NHL players being able to skate with their teams is more important to Russian citizens than US and Canadian citizens who are fans of those teams?

Aren't you shooting yourself in the foot and possibly reversing the current momentum vs Putin, and instead turning the ire of the public toward the NHL or the US government for going after individuals on NA teams in NA leagues instead of national teams in INTL competitions?

What does that do to morale in NA?

 

[um]

I really don't get the logic of going after citizens with no power. What the hell did Ilya Samsonov do wrong?

 

[Corby78]

I really don't get the logic of going after citizens with no power. What the hell did Ilya Samsonov do wrong?

outside of not stopping pucks?

 

[BiPolar Caps]

'

All of those things were important to the people in the country where the sport was taking place.

So you think NHL players being able to skate with their teams is more important to Russian citizens than US and Canadian citizens who are fans of those teams?

Aren't you shooting yourself in the foot and possibly reversing the current momentum vs Putin, and instead turning the ire of the public toward the NHL or the US government for going after individuals on NA teams in NA leagues instead of national teams in INTL competitions?

What does that do to morale in NA?

These things are important because the sports were linked to the person or the country involved.

JFK was a big fan of football, photos of the Kennedy's playing touch football all the time at Hyannis Port all helped in developing football's popularity in the country.

Baseball has long been held to be America's past time, 9/11 was an attack on our soil, an attack against our institutions and as such an attack on everything that defined being American and that we believed in.

If you can think of one sport that you immediately associate with Russia it's hockey. It's important to them. Hockey is important to Putin as well as he has been photographed playing hockey. Over the weekend we've heard where liquor stores and establishments have removed Russian sourced products (vodka) from their shelves, state governments and businesses (BP) are disposing of their financial involvement with Russia. All symbolic gestures but they all send messages that Russia needs to be held responsible for altering world normalcy.

Sadly events in Ukraine are going to get worse, translation civilian deaths. With this on the horizon, it's hard to believe that Russians not being allowed to play hockey in NA will be galvanizing the Russian people behind Putin.

 

[BiPolar Caps]

I really don't get the logic of going after citizens with no power. What the hell did Ilya Samsonov do wrong?

Yep you could say the same about the Ukraine children that have been killed these last few days.

 

[um]

Yep you could say the same about the Ukraine children that have been killed these last few days.

What?

Strange response.