KHL Won't Back Down on Radulov Contract

Earlier today, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) issued a statement saying that it was investigating the international transfer of six hockey players including Alexander Radulov, the one-time member of the Nashville Predators who has signed a three-year contract with a team in the Russian Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) despite the fact that he has one year remaining on his contract with the Predators.

Further, the IIHF added that all six players would be suspended from international competition pending the outcome of the investigation. The other players included in the announcement are Columbus Blue Jackets draftee Nikita Filatov, Thomas Mojzis, Jason Krog -- who has signed a contract with the Vancouver Canucks as well as a KHL team, Fedor Fedorov and Phoenix Coyotes dratee Viktor Tikhonov.



In turn, KHL North American spokesman Shawn McBride has issued a statement challenging the IIHF announcement:

Regarding this statement KHL clarifies its position:

We accept the idea of an investigation but specify that it should be conducted within the framework of the relevant legislation of Russia, USA and Canada, as well as in accordance with the labor law regulations of the KHL and the NHL.

However, the KHL cannot accept the proposal to suspend player's signed contracts.

"We do not accept the idea of suspending the contracts because this has not been agreed on by KHL and NHL. The mentioned players should not be made 'scapegoats' due to the fact that the Memorandum of Agreement has not been signed between the KHL and the NHL. In the absence of a signed Memorandum of Agreement between the KHL and the NHL, it is important to remember that the player is under contract with the individual clubs and the KHL can only enforce any such agreements with the NHL, once the Memorandum has been signed by all parties," said KHL President Alexander Medvedev.

KHL management calls on NHL to sign the Memorandum of agreement and to put it into force from July, 10 2008, which will legally prevent similar cases between the NHL and the KHL in the future.

So what's the import of the statement? It seems pretty clear to me that the Russians intend to fight, and they're not going to surrender Radulov to satisfy the NHL. The IIHF has asked that all relevant parties submit their paperwork by July 31, but something tells me we're going to be talking about this case all the way until opening night for both leagues.

As far as I'm concerned, I don't see any way Radulov doesn't start next season in a KHL uniform.