Sportsnet: KHL less threatening than ever to NHL

[Tyler Biggs*]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/khl-less-threatening-than-ever-to-nhl/

The numbers don’t really add up, but they say an awful lot about the global hockey landscape right now.

Petri Kontiola’s new one-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs is worth $1.1 million — a tidy sum until you factor in that he paid a little more than $600,000 to orchestrate his exit from the Russian-based KHL. As a result, he’ll essentially be playing for less than the league’s minimum salary of $550,000 next season.

That’s a pretty strong statement about the allure of the NHL and Kontiola is far from the only player making it.

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[PlietscherDassel]

After Kovy left they wrote the exact opposite. Now because of Kontiola they are less threatening than ever. The media just tries to make a big story out of everything.

 

[TLeafsFan]

After Kovy left they wrote the exact opposite. Now because of Kontiola they are less threatening than ever. The media just tries to make a big story out of everything.

He did pay $600 000 out of his own pocket to have a chance to be part of the NHL again...

 

[PlietscherDassel]

He did pay $600 000 out of his own pocket to have a chance to be part of the NHL again...

So what? Its just one individual decision not some sort of general tendency. Same thing with Kovy.
Btw didn't Kontiola say that there were family related reasons besides the wish to play in the NHL again?

 

[WTFMAN99]

Travel is rough in the KHL, not a lot of comfort, they can cancel your contract whenever, just good money.

In the NHL, good travel, great hotels, guaranteed contract, best hockey league in the world, although downside is usually taxes, more physical game.

 

[Cor]

So what? Its just one individual decision not some sort of general tendency. Same thing with Kovy.
Btw didn't Kontiola say that there were family related reasons besides the wish to play in the NHL again?

Yup.

 

[mattihp]

Lehterä of the blues paid a bit more to do the same... Just saying.

 

[fahad203]

I agree that sample of one or two players doesn't pain the picture for either league.

KHL is very much designed for Russian players who are used to the rough travel, expects less in terms of facilities and doesn't care for medical benefits .

Both Petri and Lahtera are Finnish. They come from a rich country, they are used to certain level of comfort and expectations

 

[Tyler Biggs*]

This is a nice signing, very low-risk with a possible high-reward. He has played a lot of games with Komarov over the last couple years so there is some nice familiarity there. Between the two of them, Frattin, and Bodie, there is some nice compete level in that bottom six that are capable of 8-12 quality minutes per game.

 

[Guy Boucher]

The future of hockey is in the global market.

The KHL is conquering that market while the NHL continues to busy itself with labour disputes.

 

[CalgaryLeaf*]

I have no idea how good this Petri Kontiola is going to be...I have very low expectations but will be thrilled if he plays better than the usual suspects.

In regards to his KHL contract he's investing in himself with the buyout clause and low first year net salary....Nice to see...very rare indeed.

 

[FiLe]

Fact: The conditions in the NHL are far better than in the KHL, at least from the perspective of a non-Russian. The NHL is the preferred league, no question.

However, the KHL can still draw in players if said players are promised bigger pay and more minutes than what they'd get in the NHL. Ergo, top-six in the KHL is more preferable to most Europeans than being a depth option in the NHL.

It's worth noting that this is not the first time both Kontiola and Lehterä have entertained themselves with offers from the NHL. Lehterä only bolted after he got a good enough offer from the Blues. He reportedly would have got a one-way deal two years ago, but turned it down because his KHL club offered better pay (and this is not hearsay, Lehterä himself joked that he'll go to the NHL when he's ready to wind down his career).

And let's keep in mind that Kontiola's 29 - he's spent last five years in Russia, filling his pockets with rubles. He's set for life, and had nothing left to prove in the KHL. The fact that he joined the Leafs should tell even the most dim-witted of us that he's not doing this for the money... but for the challenge.

And, oh... remember Komarov? He established himself in the NHL - and went back to the KHL. Again, the pay and provided role in the team were the key factors.


My personal stance on this issue is pretty much the same as forementioned players'. Having an established role in an NHL club is always the most preferred option. But if the choice is between being a peripheral player in the NHL or a big fish in the KHL, the latter is what I like to see.

 

[Pholus]

Fact: The conditions in the NHL are far better than in the KHL, at least from the perspective of a non-Russian. The NHL is the preferred league, no question.

However, the KHL can still draw in players if said players are promised bigger pay and more minutes than what they'd get in the NHL. Ergo, top-six in the KHL is more preferable to most Europeans than being a depth option in the NHL.

It's worth noting that this is not the first time both Kontiola and Lehterä have entertained themselves with offers from the NHL. Lehterä only bolted after he got a good enough offer from the Blues. He reportedly would have got a one-way deal two years ago, but turned it down because his KHL club offered better pay (and this is not hearsay, Lehterä himself joked that he'll go to the NHL when he's ready to wind down his career).

And let's keep in mind that Kontiola's 29 - he's spent last five years in Russia, filling his pockets with rubles. He's set for life, and had nothing left to prove in the KHL. The fact that he joined the Leafs should tell even the most dim-witted of us that he's not doing this for the money... but for the challenge.

And, oh... remember Komarov? He established himself in the NHL - and went back to the KHL. Again, the pay and provided role in the team were the key factors.


My personal stance on this issue is pretty much the same as forementioned players'. Having an established role in an NHL club is always the most preferred option. But if the choice is between being a peripheral player in the NHL or a big fish in the KHL, the latter is what I like to see.

Didn't Komarov even say that a big part of why he went back to the KHL was because he wanted to play in the Olympics and he knew he wouldn't get the exposure needed to make the Finnish team playing in the Leafs' bottom 6? So he went the Russia, and ended up leading his team in scoring. No wonder Nonis thinks he has more to offer offensively than he showed in the shortened season.

 

[FiLe]

Didn't Komarov even say that a big part of why he went back to the KHL was because he wanted to play in the Olympics and he knew he wouldn't get the exposure needed to make the Finnish team playing in the Leafs' bottom 6? So he went the Russia, and ended up leading his team in scoring. No wonder Nonis thinks he has more to offer offensively than he showed in the shortened season.

He indeed did say that playing in Moscow would offer him a better shot at it, but I think at least part of it was dressing. Most analysts at least here in Finland figured he would have made it even from the Leafs. Our coaches always take a couple of solid two-way grinders to play in the bottom-six, and Komarov was on top of that list long before the season started.

Chris Johnston is reporting a "change", while there really is none. The KHL has never been a threat in drawing away the NHL's biggest stars - the likes of Kovy are singular cases, outliers. The KHL's draw towards those players who act as depth options is still very much in place, however. The willingness to spend time in the AHL or fourth line is certainly down. Clubs need to have solutions in place for these kind of players in a season - at most two - or many of them are going to bolt. Doubt it is a big issue though, as there always seem to be new hopefuls ready to take their place.