KHL: Aftermath of Lokomotiv Tragedy (& discussion of NHL disaster plan)

LadyStanley

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http://www.theglobeandmail.com/spor...l-hockey-team-crashes-43-dead/article2156297/

chesnokov 7:43am via Web Lokomotiv official: "At first we didn't want to believe it. But right now there is no hope. The team is gone."


KHL Lokomotiv was on flight heading to game in Minsk to open their season. Their main roster, plus four junior players were on the flight. Lots of former NHLers (coach, and many players).


Games scheduled tonight are canceled.




I know the NHL has a system in place to allow for "drafting" of players from other teams to put a roster together for such a catastrophic loss of a team. I have no idea what the KHL has.






Mod note: Let's try and keep the thread focused on the business aspects (cancellation of games, restocking roster).
 

No Fun Shogun

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Really hard to think of what it'd be like to be in charge of a league and having to make decisions involving a tragedy like this.

No clue what they might do, as it could vary between temporarily putting the team on hiatus for a year or two to slowly rebuild or try immediately implement a catastrophe draft.
 

Fugu

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There may be a draft system in place, but putting it together would take months. I don't really want to think of it all at the moment, but the quick answer is coaches, equipment, transport, trainers..... and thinking of the human equation, a time to grieve is needed as well. By the time you could pull all of it together, a good chunk of the season could have transpired.

I think one would also have to consider how fans would feel if you tried to act like it's 'business as usual' too quickly.
 

Killion

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I'd imagine they'll hold a draft of sorts next spring, resuming play in 2012-13. But for now... Just devastating. Brad McCrimmon, Pavol Demitra....... gone. Reminds me a bit of the Swift Current Bronco's bus crash back in 86 when 4 players lost their lives though in that case, obviously, the team was able to carry on for the season, led by Joe Sakic. Hockey is very much a family, and whether your a fan, a player, a volunteer or coach, ever played the game, whatever, this just leaves you feeling sick to your stomach.
 

Wetcoaster

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As noted in the OP, the NHL has a bylaw to deal with such a catastrophic event.
http://multimedia.thestar.com/acrobat/ec/fe/70374e49486c8e81b7ad66870a42.pdf

Section 16C - Emergency Rehabilitation Plan ("ERP").

The NHL has mandatory life insurance for players and each team must carry it.

In the event of a catastrophe first there is a voluntary sale of players using the insurance proceeds.

If this is not sufficient (and it is unlikely to be so as the insurance amount is only $20 million) then there would be a special ERP draft.

The remaining clubs are permitted to protect one goalkeeper and 10 players from its Player Development and Club Playing Roster. First year pros and draftees not yet 20 are exempt from claim and if a team has sold a player its players are exempt.

There are number of other provisions (no trade for 60 days after the start of the next season of a claimed player, etc).
 

tarheelhockey

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It's hard to imagine they will play out the season. Imagine the logistics behind acquiring and relocating an entire roster and coaching staff. And it wouldn't seem right to draft players just to be a doormat team. At the end of the day you have to sell tickets and I doubt very much that the fanbase is going to want to witness such a depressing spectacle night after night.
 

LadyStanley

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In tweets, I've seen KHL asking for patience while they decide what to do. Right now, they have not announced any changes to season calendar.

Thursday's opponent, Minsk, is offering ticket proceeds from the game to Lokomotiv.

(Lokomotiv city holding vigil.)

IIHF pres planning on visiting Lokomotiv.

This happened during game (Wednesday) and during first period KHL Pres made announcement; game suspended. Entire arena in shock.
 

ColinM

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Exactly.

I think this would be alot like Marshall University Football back in 1970. You'd have to shut down the team's season and at best start fresh next year.

I wonder what impact this will have on players choosing to play in the KHL. Between a player dying on the ice a few years ago and this plane crash, I wonder how a non-Russian will feel about their safety in the KHL.
 

MAROONSRoad

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Mod note: Let's try and keep the thread focused on the business aspects (cancellation of games, restocking roster).

Don't you think it's a bit early for just that? This is probably the worst tragedy -- in terms of sudden loss of life -- in the history of professional hockey.
 

BigEyedPhish

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Anyone think the NHL should do a pre-season game over there next year in honor of the deceased? many who parished gave us good memories over here in the NHL. I realize the KHL and NHL are sort of rivals, but this goes way beyond business..

All procedes would go to the victims families and/or getting Lokimotiv back on their feet. I think it would be a tremendous gesture of good will.
 

MAROONSRoad

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Anyone think the NHL should do a pre-season game over there next year in honor of the deceased? many who parished gave us good memories over here in the NHL. I realize the KHL and NHL are sort of rivals, but this goes way beyond business..

All procedes would go to the victims families and/or getting Lokimotiv back on their feet. I think it would be a tremendous gesture of good will.

Good idea. It would be a nice gesture.
 

Ovechkins vodka

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Sep 22, 2006
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On a business related note on this tragedy, does anyone know if KHL player contracts are insured like NHL contracts are? So the deceased players families would get the payout? There is no players union in the KHL, correct?
 

rojac

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Don't you think it's a bit early for just that? This is probably the worst tragedy -- in terms of sudden loss of life -- in the history of professional hockey.

Yes, and there are many other places for discussing other aspects of this tragedy on these boards.But it makes sense for the thread on the "Business of Hockey" forum to stick to the business aspects.
 

vsk92

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Anyone think the NHL should do a pre-season game over there next year in honor of the deceased? many who parished gave us good memories over here in the NHL. I realize the KHL and NHL are sort of rivals, but this goes way beyond business..

All procedes would go to the victims families and/or getting Lokimotiv back on their feet. I think it would be a tremendous gesture of good will.

great idea or even donate money generated by the all star weekend too this year??
 

obsenssive*

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they will build a team with MHL players, maybe some KHL players, and sign players from other European leagues most likely.

And yes the NHL should do something to help.
 

Lard_Lad

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they will build a team with MHL players, maybe some KHL players, and sign players from other European leagues most likely.

And yes the NHL should do something to help.

Maybe the league and union could allow a special waiver exemption for anybody willing to go on loan to Yaroslavl for this season.
 

Killion

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Don't you think it's a bit early for just that? This is probably the worst tragedy -- in terms of sudden loss of life -- in the history of professional hockey.

On such a scale. Beyond sad. Tragic. Lets look at the Big Picture. How long before this was bound to happen?. I really have to state something; its just been a matter of time. Not if but when. Travel is insane., Be you a AAA amateur, Junior, minor or major league player, travel has been CrAzY since about 1949. Little known and unspoken reality; PLAYERS DO NOT LIKE IT!.

Note Edit; Wayne Gretzky. Howe. Makita, Hull, Bossy etc etc. the stars, all had pending premonitions of death in travel & flight.... what does that tell you?.
 
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LadyStanley

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dchesnokov: At tonight's vigil the Governor of Yaroslavl proclaimed that the club will be rebuilt; said he received calls from the KHL and the NHL.
dchesnokov: Yaroslavl Governor also said KHL teams offered help to form a team good enough to compete this year.

dchesnokov: Russian Minister of Sports told Mayak Radio he feels it is unreasonable to resume the KHL season right away.
 

MoreOrr

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dchesnokov: At tonight's vigil the Governor of Yaroslavl proclaimed that the club will be rebuilt; said he received calls from the KHL and the NHL.
dchesnokov: Yaroslavl Governor also said KHL teams offered help to form a team good enough to compete this year.

dchesnokov: Russian Minister of Sports told Mayak Radio he feels it is unreasonable to resume the KHL season right away.

I had this thought today... I'm wondering if there may be any players currently in North America, but not signed with an NHL team, that might consider going over and being part of a reconstructed Lokimotiv team.
 

Shootmaster_44

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I had this thought today... I'm wondering if there may be any players currently in North America, but not signed with an NHL team, that might consider going over and being part of a reconstructed Lokimotiv team.

I'm thinking that its a little late in the year for that. I don't know how AHL/ECHL etc. deals work, but I would assume that the quality players have jobs for the winter already secured. I realize that this is special circumstances and all, but I really wonder if an AHL or ECHL team would willing say to their star player that it is ok to go over there. You might see a couple jump anyway and end up suspended, but I don't see a ton en masse going.

That said, there may be fringe players who haven't latched on that might be wooed by Lokomotiv, if the money is right. But I wonder whether these players would go over for one season only. As I would imagine once next summer comes along, Lokomotiv will stock up on free agents.

The biggest concern if I were one of those players is travel. Do I realy want to set foot on a plane leaving from Yaroslavl? Sure another tragedy like this may never happen again. But in the wake of this (like in the wake of 9/11) people are going to be scared to fly.

I wonder if Lokomotiv sets up a roster for this year whether they will use the same airline? From what I've heard the airline industry in Russia is suspect, so this is by no means a potentially isolate incident. I forget who they interviewed this afternoon, but one of the NHL players who had played over there said that flying over there was terrifying. He said turbulance in Russia is nothing like turbulance here, he says it makes you think you are going to crash. One of the North American goalies he played with loves to fly in North America and in Russia he would soak his shirt with sweat because of fear. I also had read a book by Dave King detailing his season in Russia and he called some of the planes they flew on pterodactyls. He said during the flight you'd feel the cabin twist and turn the opposite direction of the plane.

I think this will be the biggest factor in whether any players will head over this year. What would be nice is if some of the billionaire owners in the NHL (and the owners in the KHL) were to band together and purchase a brand new or slightly used (i.e. no more than 5 years old) plane for Lokomotiv.

Regardless of the players, I do hope the NHL and the IIHF do a charity game or something for Lokomotiv and donate the proceeds to a charity fund for the families. Actually, an idea that would have to wait until next fall (and at that point it might amount to an empty gesture) is to put together a World Cup and donate the proceeds to the families.

At worse I hope either the KHL and/or NHL sells some sort of charity t-shirt or hat that gives proceeds to the families. I would buy some as a gesture for the families. I don't have tons of money, but I would be interested in donating some money.
 

MoreOrr

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In fact in my first post somewhat related to this specific topic, in the other thread, I said that this may make a few players think twice about going over to the KHL in coming Seasons. Then a bit later I thought the exact opposite, as I stated above, might just possibly be true for a few players (if available) who might just decide to try to help in rebuilding the Lokomotiv team for this Season.
 

JimmyStart*

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I'm thinking that its a little late in the year for that. I don't know how AHL/ECHL etc. deals work, but I would assume that the quality players have jobs for the winter already secured. I realize that this is special circumstances and all, but I really wonder if an AHL or ECHL team would willing say to their star player that it is ok to go over there. You might see a couple jump anyway and end up suspended, but I don't see a ton en masse going.

That said, there may be fringe players who haven't latched on that might be wooed by Lokomotiv, if the money is right. But I wonder whether these players would go over for one season only. As I would imagine once next summer comes along, Lokomotiv will stock up on free agents.

The biggest concern if I were one of those players is travel. Do I realy want to set foot on a plane leaving from Yaroslavl? Sure another tragedy like this may never happen again. But in the wake of this (like in the wake of 9/11) people are going to be scared to fly.

I wonder if Lokomotiv sets up a roster for this year whether they will use the same airline? From what I've heard the airline industry in Russia is suspect, so this is by no means a potentially isolate incident. I forget who they interviewed this afternoon, but one of the NHL players who had played over there said that flying over there was terrifying. He said turbulance in Russia is nothing like turbulance here, he says it makes you think you are going to crash. One of the North American goalies he played with loves to fly in North America and in Russia he would soak his shirt with sweat because of fear. I also had read a book by Dave King detailing his season in Russia and he called some of the planes they flew on pterodactyls. He said during the flight you'd feel the cabin twist and turn the opposite direction of the plane.

I think this will be the biggest factor in whether any players will head over this year. What would be nice is if some of the billionaire owners in the NHL (and the owners in the KHL) were to band together and purchase a brand new or slightly used (i.e. no more than 5 years old) plane for Lokomotiv.

Regardless of the players, I do hope the NHL and the IIHF do a charity game or something for Lokomotiv and donate the proceeds to a charity fund for the families. Actually, an idea that would have to wait until next fall (and at that point it might amount to an empty gesture) is to put together a World Cup and donate the proceeds to the families.

At worse I hope either the KHL and/or NHL sells some sort of charity t-shirt or hat that gives proceeds to the families. I would buy some as a gesture for the families. I don't have tons of money, but I would be interested in donating some money.

Jesus christ there's just no way i would get on the plane 40-50 times a year. Sounds like the most nightmarish modern way to travel
 

kdb209

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Jesus christ there's just no way i would get on the plane 40-50 times a year. Sounds like the most nightmarish modern way to travel

Actually, airplanes are about the safest way to travel - only busses are significantly safer.

From the Lokomotiv thread on the main board:

About airplane safety, here's deaths per billion passenger hours travelled.

Bus: 11.1
Rail: 30
Air: 30.8
Water: 50
Van: 60
Car: 130
Foot: 220
Bicycle: 550
Motorcycle: 4840

edit: Of course, air travel in Russia is a different story.

Thus post from the main board thread puts it pretty succinctly:

LetsGoIslanders said:
As someone with a background in aviation, the fact is that Russian aircraft are generally well-built. The problem is maintenance standards are notoriously lax, cockpit crew standards are very low (outside of Aeroflot and maybe a couple of others), procedures are often ignored, and the Russian aviation authorities do a terrible job of regulating the operating environment. The words "Russia" and "safety culture" are words that should never be put in the same sentence. I would have no problem boarding a 35 year old Delta DC-9-50 today. They have been meticulously maintained and are flown by a professionally trained crew. However, if you ask me to board a five year old Russian aircraft, with Russian crew -- I'd certainly have my doubts.

This is the third fatal commercial aircraft crash in Russia since June, and this specific aircraft was prohibited from flying in EU airspace due to lack of safety equipment.

EU COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1144/2009
of 26 November 2009
amending Regulation (EC) No 474/2006 establishing the Community list of air carriers which are
subject to an operating ban within the Community


"(113) The competent authorities of the Russian Federation
informed the Commission on 9 November 2009 that
they modified their decision of 25 April 2008,
whereby they excluded from operations into the
Community aircraft on the AOC of 13 Russian air
carriers. These aircraft were not equipped to perform
international flights as per ICAO standards (not
equipped with TAWS/E-GPWS) and their certificate of
airworthiness had expired and had not been renewed.

(114) According to the new decision, the following aircraft are
excluded from operations into, within and out of the
Community:
(...)
i) Tatarstan Airlines: Yakovlev Yak-42D: RA-42374,
RA-42433;"

Sad.

It Source

'bye guys. See you.

edit2:

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20110414/163531795.html

Ah yes, here we go....

The International Air Transport Association said in a recent report that Russia and other former Soviet republics combined had the world's worst air traffic safety record in 2009, with an accident rate 13 times higher than the world average.
 
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Shootmaster_44

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I just had a thought about what the NHL could do for this. If every team that lost a player in this took one early season regular season game and took $5 from every ticket and the ownership matched the $5, it wouldn't take much for a nice fund to be developed.

Assuming a 16,000 seat average and you'd hope for a game like this you'd sell out. That would $160,000 you could raise and multiply that by the number of clubs hit by this assuming it is say 20 teams (I haven't run the numbers yet) that's an easy $3,200,000 the NHL could raise. The NHL could even make it a league wide thing and that $3,200,000 would turn into $4,800,000.

I realize that in some of the struggling markets this would be tough to fill a building, unless the NHL bought the remaining tickets to ensure all 30 games were sold out and then donate those tickets to local children's charities. Then there would be no accusation of the NHL pandering to a Russian tragedy and neglecting charities at home. Win-win right? I realize the local charities would benefit more in say Phoenix and Long Island than say Winnipeg or Toronto, but it would even itself out all the same.

Heck, this could be come an annual charity game for the NHL. It could go to other deserving charities each year. Plus, it wouldn't be hard to get the owners on board since it would be good PR for them plus a substantial tax write-off.
 

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