SPECULATION: Kaigorodov signed?

I've been keeping an eye on this for a while, and the old "search" thingy on the Sens web site has finally come up with the Bulletin: Senators sign Alexei Kaigorodov headline but no story found when the link is clicked. Take it for whatever it is worth, but it has been true for the most part in the past.

I suspect the Neil, Schubert, Kelly signings were also done previously as well but probably for 1 year deals while they tried to work out multi year deals. Anyway, the Kaigorodov bulletin was not there before but it is there now.

Maybe time to break out the vodka soon!:crossfing

I don't get where you saw this, but its great news if its true.

Can you post another link? (I looked everywhere on the site but to no avail...).

Anyway, i'll wait a bit longer with my fingers crossed that we officially hear of the signing!

I don't get where you saw this, but its great news if its true.

Can you post another link? (I looked everywhere on the site but to no avail...).

Anyway, i'll wait a bit longer with my fingers crossed that we officially hear of the signing!

Go to the Sens web site, click on search, type in Kaigorodov. The last result line says "bulletin: Sens sign Kaigorodov" when you click it you get news item not available.

That would pretty much finish the offseason for us.

Havlat - Eaves
Smoke - Kaigorodov
Varada - Warm Body
Chara - Preissing
Pothier - Corvo
Hasek - Gerber

The cap has hurt us, but we have up 'til the trade deadline to see who can or can't fill the shoes they're being asked to. Should be exciting. I wonder if he'll play in the Rookie tournie...

Saw that... Quite odd. Great observation. I hope you're right!

It would be great to add a surprise element like Kaigorodov in our lineup come september...

The Sens need more cowbell!

Go to the Sens web site, click on search, type in Kaigorodov. The last result line says "bulletin: Sens sign Kaigorodov" when you click it you get news item not available.

Interesting.
Keep that link on your refresh button. Maybe we'll have a new contract unleashed for the AK55 tomorow morning!

First Schaefer, now if this works out.. We'll be icing a contender for under 41million with a full lineup.
Something, not too many teams can say at this point in the offseason!
:yo:

I think the "News Item ID", # 1224 in your address bar, is the latest Item ID number too.

Sounds promising.

That would be so wonderful. I have my fingers crossed tha Kaigorodov has signed. I hope he can come over and preform, but I will not expect sucess right away, if he can play up to Smolinskis level then that would be great.

It is also worth mentioning Murray said the Senators were going to add a Center this week in a radio interview. Maybe this is Center he was referring to?

It could be a while. The Neil Vermette Schaefer links were up for about a couple of weeks before they were officially announced. It could be that word has gotten out that the transfer agreement will soon be signed or they have worked out a deal with his RSL team. All I know is the link was not there before and now it is, so something must have happened. I wish a newspaper guy would go to Muckler and flat out ask him. Is Bruce back from honeymooning yet?

That would pretty much finish the offseason for us.

Havlat - Eaves
Smoke - Kaigorodov
Varada - Warm Body
Chara - Preissing
Pothier - Corvo
Hasek - Gerber

The cap has hurt us, but we have up 'til the trade deadline to see who can or can't fill the shoes they're being asked to. Should be exciting. I wonder if he'll play in the Rookie tournie...

Don't forget, it's actually more like;

Injured Chara - Preissing
Injured Redden - Redden
Injured Havlat + '05 Eaves - '06 Eaves
Injured Alfie - Alfie
Injured Phillips - Phillips
Injured Spezza - Spezza
Injured Heatley - Heatley
Injured Fisher - Fisher
Injured Hasek - Gerber
Injured Volchenkov - Volchenkov


Kelly - Kelly
Neil - Neil
Schaefer - Schaefer
Vermette - Vermette
Pothier - Corvo
Meszaros - Meszaros
Smoke - Kaig
Emery - Emery
Varada - Luttinen? Hamel? Hennessey?

Varada - Warm Body


doesn't even need to be warm... just there. :shakehead

anyways, i'm super excited to see what Kai can do in the NHL.
KAIGORODOV for CALDER '07!!!!!!

I actually just did it another way..I searched for the word "sign" and when you get to end you get in the following order:

Bulletin: Senators re-sign Antoine Vermette
Bulletin: Senators re-sign Christoph Schubert
Bulletin: Senators re-sign Peter Schaefer
Bulletin: Senators re-sign Chris Neil
Bulletin: Senators re-sign Chris Kelly
Bulletin: Senators acquire Barinka, Hennessy and Preissing from Chicago
Bulletin: Senators sign three prospects
Bulletin: Senators sign Jeff Heerema
Bulletin: Senators sign three prospects
Bulletin: Senators sign Cory Pecker
Bulletin: Senators sign Jamie Allison
Senators re-sign Denis Hamel
Senators sign centre Serge Payer
Senators re-sign Tomas Malec
Bulletin: Senators sign Brian Maloney
Bulletin: Senators sign Alexei Kaigorodov


Looks like Payer & Malec are on board as well. Hamel Payer, Malec and Kaigorodov links lead to the no news page. Confused about Hamel since he has been listed on the NHLPA website as signed to $450,000 since day 1 but I guess they never made a formal announcement.

Good news all around!

Finally we'll be able to see if Kai lives up to all the hype. I'm glad to see Payer back as a depth player, very good addition for Bingo, and hopefully Malec can rebound after a poor season last year.

Wicked! The 'search' function hasn't misled us of yet...except for Sergei Gimayev (no biggee there). Hopefully Kaigorodov has been signed, and Serge Payer would be a nice depth addition.

That should pretty much finish off the summer's transactions...unless there is a trade coming of course. These signings give the team depth and a few options to play with:

Heatley-Spezza-Eaves
Schaefer-Kaigorodov-Alfredsson
Vermette-Fisher-Neil
Kelly-Payer-McGrattan

Redden-Preissing
Phillips-Corvo
Volchenkov-Meszaros

Gerber
Emery

Extras: Schubert, Allison, Luttinen, Hamel, Hennessy

Schubert > Payer

Heatley-Spezza-Eaves
Schaefer-Kaigorodov-Alfredsson
Vermette-Fisher-Neil
Kelly-Payer-McGrattan

Thats probably the weakest looking center position in 5 years or more.

Thats probably the weakest looking center position in 5 years or more.

Spezza, Kelly, Fisher is as good as we've had it at centre, perhaps ever.

With Vermette, Kaigodorov able to step in as well, we even have some extra depth.

Plus, our face-offs are actually quite decent with this lineup for a change.

What a step-up from guys like Smolinski and Bonk.

Spezza, Kelly, Fisher is as good as we've had it at centre, perhaps ever.

With Vermette, Kaigodorov able to step in as well, we even have some extra depth.

Plus, our face-offs are actually quite decent with this lineup for a change.

What a step-up from guys like Smolinski and Bonk.

Still need a big #2 center. It will be added by the deadline I think.

You can't enter the playoff with that 1-2. If you watched the Hurricanes play, it was special to watch them roll three #1 centers. The opposing teams could not stop Stall's line. Then it was Brind-Amours line right after that, and then you mix in a little of Doug Weights line....the Oilers never got a break where they could feast on a weak center.

I not a huge fan of Brind-Amour and Stall, but their presense was felt. You just couldn't wear them down. Spezza needs an insulator. He isn't good enough to go against a really strong defensive center on a shift in shift out basis. No one really is. He needs that big skilled, experienced 2nd line center to keep the opposing teams coaching staff guessing and gambling on who to key on with their best defensive players.

Looking at that Ottawa line-up, there is only Spezza to key on right now. Fisher's line will work more as a match-up line against the oppositions top line -- and they'll do ok at both ends of the ice.

Depending on how the season goes, you may see a trade happen by the deadline.

(hopefully not Arnason again)

If anything, Muckler has shown that he WILL deal pretty consistently. His track record of getting guys we actually need may be spotty, but we'll see how it goes.

I agree that a second line centre, preferably a two-way guy who is good at faceoffs and has a little offensive skill to rely on in the playoffs, would be nice right now.

Thats probably the weakest looking center position in 5 years or more.

I totally disagree...Spezza is a true #1 centre, Fisher is perhaps the best #3 centre in the league, and Kelly is a solid #4 centre who excels in killing penalties. Kaigorodov is likely going to be an average #2 centre...and if he can't produce right away, hopefully there will be enough cap room to acquire a #2 centre at the deadline.

Schubert > Payer

They're interchangable...Payer is a good skater, solid two-way 4th liner who can kill penalties...Murray seems to like using his 4th liners as penalty killers (see Vermette-Kelly last season), so I could see Payer sneaking his way on the team in 2006-07 and being part of the PK...

I'm sorry, I don't normally do this, but:

Bonk, White <<<<<< Spezza, Fisher

I'm not saying we're deep down the middle, but the potential is there to be the best we've ever had before, and if Kai is as good as promised, we could have one of the best in the league without any deadline additions.


As for what makes us so confident Kai can step in and succeed, he's been playing in a mens professional league for a couple years now and done QUITE well. I don't know any statistics that support me on this, but I do believe that success like that translates over quite frequently.

Looks like Payer & Malec are on board as well. Hamel Payer, Malec and Kaigorodov links lead to the no news page. Confused about Hamel since he has been listed on the NHLPA website as signed to $450,000 since day 1 but I guess they never made a formal announcement.

Re: Hamel - the $450,000 is likely the cost of Hamel's option...I believe he signed a 2 year deal in the summer of '05 and the second year was a team option. The NHLPA website lists option values as well - see Trevor Linden's $1.52 million salary on the nhlpa site...the value of the team option on his contract this season. Reports suggest he'll sign for less ($700K-$800K).

That link looks like it maybe have been there for a while, did that recently just come up?

That link looks like it maybe have been there for a while, did that recently just come up?

I think the "News Item ID", # 1224 in your address bar, is the latest Item ID number too.

Sounds promising.

If it's the newest Item ID number, it's the newest article, I just don't know if it's the newest item ID. I think it is though.

doesn't even need to be warm... just there. :shakehead

anyways, i'm super excited to see what Kai can do in the NHL.
KAIGORODOV for CALDER '07!!!!!!

If Kai plays with Alfie and Eaves this is his calder to take. This is not like Bochenski this guy has dangles and vision.

If Kai plays with Alfie and Eaves this is his calder to take. This is not like Bochenski this guy has dangles and vision.

If Malkin is in the NHL he wins the calder if not then yes I could see Kaigs winning it.

If Malkin is in the NHL he wins the calder if not then yes I could see Kaigs winning it.

I am not so sure of that look at Malkins surroundings its not like Ottawa, Kai will have less pressure. Right now at this point I dont think there is alot between the two players. Clearly Malkin will be the far superior player but Kai is 4 years his senior I think his transition will be very smooth to the nhl.

He's never played in North America.

I'm not going to jump on the Calder bandwagon just yet.

He's never played in North America.

I'm not going to jump on the Calder bandwagon just yet.

No he hasnt but I find with older players that the transition is alot easier then young guys that have alot of hype at times.

He's never played in North America.

I'm not going to jump on the Calder bandwagon just yet.

I almost got onto the Bochenski wagon last year, no way I'm getting on this one.

Radulov is no slouch, either.

He's never played in North America.

I'm not going to jump on the Calder bandwagon just yet.

Neithers Malkin... Let hope he chokes instead of Kaigs

Good news all around!

Finally we'll be able to see if Kai lives up to all the hype. I'm glad to see Payer back as a depth player, very good addition for Bingo, and hopefully Malec can rebound after a poor season last year.

I agree, I love seeing this guy back, the few games he played up in Ottawa I was very impressed by his work ethic and defensive game.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/penguins/s_463742.html

Check This Out!!!!!

That link looks like it maybe have been there for a while, did that recently just come up?

The Kaigorodov one was not there three days ago the last time I checked which was when Moloney was signed. So it was posted sometime between July 27th and July 29th.


http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitt.../s_463742.html (http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/penguins/s_463742.html)
Check This Out!!!!!
The most obvious way to get around it is to pay Mettalburg a fee directly. I'm sure they are not asking as much for Kaigorodov as for Malkin and Kaigorodov only has 1 year left on his contract there. Plus any legal action would cost them money. We all know Hedberg was there a couple of weeks ago, so he could very well have been negotiating with the club for Kaigorodov's release.

I'm speculating here but I suspect the Sens have a deal in place with Kaigorodov and are anticipating the transfer deal to be ratified by Monday, which is why they prepared the news release. If the transfer deal falls through, they may have a deal in place with Metalburg to get Kaigorodov out or they just move on and wait for next year and delete the release and go after a Greg Johnson type.

He's never played in North America.

I'm not going to jump on the Calder bandwagon just yet.

Ditto.

The agreement hasn't even been finalized yet, let alone this signing. I just hope everything is settled soon and Kaigorodov comes to training camp healthy.

I think Kai is crazily (and unfairly) being overrated by our posters here based on the one good season that he had. I don't know if he can just come and take over the 2nd line duty from a league where Alexei Morozov was the MVP this past season.

This is my OPTIMISTIC line-up:

Eaves-Spezza-Heatley (Shooter-Playmaker-Shooter)
Schaefer-Fisher-Alfredsson (Playmaker-Shooter-All Rounder)
Vermette-Kai-Neil (Shooter-Playmaker-Grinder/Shooter)
Schubert-Kelly-McGrattan (Grinder-Grinder-Grinder)

Redden-Preissing
Phillips-Meszaros
Volchenkov-Corvo

Gerber
Emery

I think as a defensive defenceman, Phillips will have his best season as a Senator this year. It just happens to be his UFA year as well.

Heatley - Spezza - Alfredsson (Scorer-Playmaker-Balanced)
Vermette - Kaigorodov - Eaves (Scorer-Playmaker-Balanced)
Shaefer - Fisher - Neil (Grinder-Balanced-Grinder)
Henessey - Kelly - McGrattan (Playmaker-Grinder-Enforcer)
Schubert (Balanced)

Redden - Meszaros (Balanced-Balanced)
Phillips - Corvo (Defensive-Offensive)
Volchenkov - Preissing (Hardhitting-Offensive)
Schubert (Balanced)
Barinka (Defensive)

Gerber
Emery

Heatley - Spezza - Alfredsson (Scorer-Playmaker-Balanced)
Vermette - Kaigorodov - Eaves (Scorer-Playmaker-Balanced)
Shaefer - Fisher - Neil (Grinder-Balanced-Grinder)
Henessey - Kelly - McGrattan (Playmaker-Grinder-Enforcer)
Schubert (Balanced)

Redden - Meszaros (Balanced-Balanced)
Phillips - Corvo (Defensive-Offensive)
Volchenkov - Preissing (Hardhitting-Offensive)
Schubert (Balanced)
Barinka (Defensive)

Gerber
Emery

Although I'd like to have Henessey crack the lineup for more depth... Its probably more likely for Schubert to be the left wing on that last line (unless there is injury).

Aside from that, I like the way you put the lines together. I'm pretty sure they will split the Pizza line because of the absence of Havlat, but who knows who will step up. Kaigorodov might just be a perfect fit for this team...

For the lines on defense, Murray was on the radio the other day and said Corvo looks like he will start the year with Redden.

As for Kaigorodov, if he were to come over and produce at Smolinski's rate, then I think it would be a success and that's what I'd be hoping for. Anything more than that would be an added bonus.

Although I'd like to have Henessey crack the lineup for more depth... Its probably more likely for Schubert to be the left wing on that last line (unless there is injury).

Aside from that, I like the way you put the lines together. I'm pretty sure they will split the Pizza line because of the absence of Havlat, but who knows who will step up. Kaigorodov might just be a perfect fit for this team...

Schubert doesn't want to play forward. So barring injury he's a defender.
Havlat was gone for most of last season anyways, and we didn't miss him too much.

Schubert doesn't want to play forward. So barring injury he's a defender.
Havlat was gone for most of last season anyways, and we didn't miss him too much.

Whether he wants to or not Schubert may play forward. Sure he would rather play forward and get in on 75-80 games a season splitting with defence then play 30-40 as the 7th defenceman.

That was my point of view. Schubert is too valuable to spend some time in the stands. As seen in the Buffalo series, he is quite effective as a checking forward and he adds intensity to any line.

I agree with you Spetzky, we'd all want him on defense and i'm thinking that if a move is to be done, it would be trading one of our defensemen against a gritty forward, therefore putting Schubert back in the top six on defense. Who knows what Murray will decide to do with his lineup.

Camp will answer a lot of questions and so will the beginning of the season. Some people think that Henessy might be in our lineup, some people think Hamel or Luttinen might crack the lineup as well. One thing is for sure, Kaigs will be in the lineup if an agreement is made (man that would be great!).

That was my point of view. Schubert is too valuable to spend some time in the stands. As seen in the Buffalo series, he is quite effective as a checking forward and he adds intensity to any line.

I agree with you Spetzky, we'd all want him on defense and i'm thinking that if a move is to be done, it would be trading one of our defensemen against a gritty forward, therefore putting Schubert back in the top six on defense. Who knows what Murray will decide to do with his lineup.

Camp will answer a lot of questions and so will the beginning of the season. Some people think that Henessy might be in our lineup, some people think Hamel or Luttinen might crack the lineup as well. One thing is for sure, Kaigs will be in the lineup if an agreement is made (man that would be great!).

I think most Posters here would rather have Volchenkov on defence this season and Schubert as a forward/reserve 7th D-Man.

I think most Posters here would rather have Volchenkov on defence this season and Schubert as a forward/reserve 7th D-Man.

I'm with you on that one, but Schubert is a great player and his natural position is on defense (that's what I meant). We'd rather have him in his element, but yes, not at the expense of our other six! In the event of a trade/injury (which I don't necessarily hope for), then we'd see Schubert at his best. (I guess I'm more of a Schubert fan than I thought!)

I'm sorry, I don't normally do this, but:

Bonk, White <<<<<< Spezza, Fisher

I'm not saying we're deep down the middle, but the potential is there to be the best we've ever had before, and if Kai is as good as promised, we could have one of the best in the league without any deadline additions.


As for what makes us so confident Kai can step in and succeed, he's been playing in a mens professional league for a couple years now and done QUITE well. I don't know any statistics that support me on this, but I do believe that success like that translates over quite frequently.


Centers 2003-04

Spezza
Bonk
White
Smolinski
Fisher
Vermette

Centers 2005-06

Spezza
Fisher
Kaigorodov
Vermette
Kelly
Payer

More depth in 2003-04 I would say, a little more talent in 2006-07.

I'm with you on that one, but Schubert is a great player and his natural position is on defense (that's what I meant). We'd rather have him in his element, but yes, not at the expense of our other six! In the event of a trade/injury (which I don't necessarily hope for), then we'd see Schubert at his best. (I guess I'm more of a Schubert fan than I thought!)

Personally he looked a lot better at forward then on defence last season. So good I wouldn't mind him seeing a larger role as a forward this season then last year. He was a freaking wrecking ball at forward and played a simple hard hitting game to perfection. He would play 5 or 6 minutes and lay 5 or 6 HUGE hits a game. Every game.

Personally he looked a lot better at forward then on defence last season. So good I wouldn't mind him seeing a larger role as a forward this season then last year. He was a freaking wrecking ball at forward and played a simple hard hitting game to perfection. He would play 5 or 6 minutes and lay 5 or 6 HUGE hits a game. Every game.

I agree but the thing is Schubert wants to play as a defenseman.

I agree but the thing is Schubert wants to play as a defenseman.

Yes but I keep hoping he will start the season as a forward, go through training camp as a forward and play so well he makes the 3rd line as a forward with Neil and Fisher. Schubert decides it is really fun laying huge hits and playing forward and starts wanting to play there. Then he discovers a scoring touch and plays like Neil did last season except faster and better defensively but with less fights. Schubie pots 15 goals or so as he finds his scoring touch. The Sens thrird line becomes the most feared line in the NHL as they are 1,2,3, in the NHL in Hits by forwards........

Perhaps a fantasy.

I did like the use of his time as forward last year and he does play a great physical-defensive game which is great if he plays with someone like Vermette...

As mentioned though, he wants to be a defenseman and i'm not crazy on the idea of taking someone off their natural position (Philips played forward for a bit with Martin as coach).

He is great to have though, as he can fill different holes and be effective. I like the way he plays both positions although he seemed to have more impact as a forward. All in all, (I knew there was a point in there somewhere...) I hope they use him as a forward until need be for him to go back on defense (trade/injury) because he belongs on the ice and not in the stands as he was a few times last year.

Centers 2003-04

Spezza
Bonk
White
Smolinski
Fisher
Vermette

Centers 2005-06

Spezza
Fisher
Kaigorodov
Vermette
Kelly
Payer

More depth in 2003-04 I would say, a little more talent in 2006-07.

You forgot Shaun van Allen....


I don't blame you though, I'd like to forget him too.

Centers 2005-06
Spezza
Fisher
Kaigorodov
Vermette
Kelly
Payer
More depth in 2003-04 I would say, a little more talent in 2006-07

I don't think I'd consider Kaigorodov, Kelly and Payer to be more talented than Bonk, White and Smolinski (the other 3 appear on both lists)... not to mention that Payer played 71 games for the Panthers last year - Steve Martins was the guy rounding out the centre depth last year. It's a fair bet that either Martins or Hennessy will be the depth man on that list this coming year... assuming Kaigorodov even makes it overseas. It seems pretty clear that there was significantly more depth in 2003/04, but there was also nobody putting up true #1 numbers like Spezza. If Kaigorodov doesn't make it over, it will be interesting to see what happens with the top-3 - most notably if Vermette might be given a chance to shine on the 2nd line with Alfredsson, or if we'll see a Schaefer-Fisher-Alfredsson 2nd line.

FYI
Tretiak is signing autographs in Woodbridge Ontario (north of Toronto suburb) on Aug 2nd. In case someone wants to go over there and ask him personally *** he's doing there instead of getting the transfer agrement in place or when it will be in place.

so it won't be signed today?

FYI
Tretiak is signing autographs in Woodbridge Ontario (north of Toronto suburb) on Aug 2nd. In case someone wants to go over there and ask him personally *** he's doing there instead of getting the transfer agrement in place or when it will be in place.

Can someone slip in a Transfer Agreement for him to autograph?

Can someone slip in a Transfer Agreement for him to autograph?

hahaha

I'd personally rather Schubert play d. While he was effective, even impressive in his limited role at forward it was just that, limited. All he had to do was essentially skate up the ice and pressure the D. Given his speed, size and penchant for hitting the fourth line role was pretty easy to assume. That being said he did much better in that role than I originally thought he would. On the other hand I wouldnt call his "shot" at playing defense truly fair. We're all talking about it as if he played a whole season and it didnt work out. In his ~ 10 first NHL games overall, he played D which is much tougher to adapt to than ~ 5 minutes forechecking on the 4th line. Given a shot I still think he can be a solid 4/5 guy and i'd love for him to get a shot at at least 30-40 games (at defense). But like its been said it will be up to him whether he steals someone's spot at camp, weasels his way onto the D by way of the fourth line, or waits for inevitable injuries/fatigue to occur.

I believe in the skills competition Schubie had the second hardest shot on the team (after Chara)

I believe in the skills competition Schubie had the second hardest shot on the team (after Chara)

He is also the biggest player on this team and one of the fastest. His tools can defenitely be utilised on forward and defense.

He is also the biggest player on this team and one of the fastest. His tools can defenitely be utilised on forward and defense.

Schubie (HT: 6-2 WT: 210) is definitely not the biggest player on the team. The title goes to McGrattan. The biggest d-man on the team is Phillips (height/weight wise).

In terms of the position he plays this season, I think his only choice is at forward - as neither Preissing nor Corvo would be the team's 7th d-man.

Redden-Corvo
Phillips-Meszaros
Volchenkov-Preissing

There are spots open at the forward positions and he is a pretty good grinder. But like some here, I would have liked to see Schubie play a regular shift in his natural position. Last season, he was mostly used as a forward and when he was asked to play defence out of the blue, his performance was below average. I think he has the potential to be a good 5th d-man in the league.

His path on the team seems to be following Phillips history.
Phillips too was not so good on defence when he was playing the wing, but with steady time on the D he has become solid. I hope that this is the route Shubie is going, and I hope he sticks with it as he does have great potential.

Well, according to some reports, Russia has decline to participate in the transfer agreement.



Anyone have any bright suggestions? How much longer is Kaig's contract? How much does he REALLY want to come over? Is it a lost cause?

Well, according to some reports, Russia has decline to participate in the transfer agreement.



Anyone have any bright suggestions? How much longer is Kaig's contract? How much does he REALLY want to come over? Is it a lost cause?

We could kidnap him, But I don't want to see world war III

Well, according to some reports, Russia has decline to participate in the transfer agreement.



Anyone have any bright suggestions? How much longer is Kaig's contract? How much does he REALLY want to come over? Is it a lost cause?

Source???

I've read nothing about them backing out!

Evgeny Malkin's NHL debut remains up in the air due to stalled player transfer negotiations between the Russian Hockey Federation and the NHL. The Russians agreed to the transfer deal on June 9th but have yet to file the paperwork. If no deal is in place soon, players like Malkin currently playing on contract with Russian teams would be barred from playing in the NHL this season.- Pittsburgh Post GazetteFrom TSN.ca

What is taking so long?...

From TSN.ca

What is taking so long?...

It's on the main board they rejected it

Russia has nixed the transfer agreement, which likely means no Alexei Kaigorodov this season, which sucks.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2537429

Perhaps something can be negotiated still...but not looking good.

When Kaigorodov;s contract with Metallurg expires, Can he come over here with no problem?

When Kaigorodov;s contract with Metallurg expires, Can he come over here with no problem?

Yeah, I asked Slitty if he had any information on when Kai is signed till, but he never got back to me or he missed my post.


That's essentially how Ovechkin came over. Malkin signed a three year contract which will keep him away for a while yet.

So Malkin gave his 2 weeks notice and is coming over, and Meehan said he expects more young Russians to do the same.

If Kaigorodov does...

Eaves - Spezza - Heatley
Vermette - Kaigorodov - Alfredsson
Schaefer - Fisher - Neil
McAmmond - Kelly - McGrattan

That would look awesome.If this is true, I wonder if Kaigorodov will do the same.

So with Malkin coming over, the No1 centre spot in Russia is his.

Does he give his letter of resignation as well?

Hope he does - hope a lot do so there are less "targets".

I am not so sure of that look at Malkins surroundings its not like Ottawa, Kai will have less pressure. Right now at this point I dont think there is alot between the two players. And here you go wrong.

Malkin coming over is no sure thing. There are legal implications to doing what he has supposedly done. From what I have been able to get from reading the stuff available (and admitedly translations that may or may not be 100%) the law in question is a hold over from the old Soviet Union and there is some question as if it can be imposed or not. That law also supposedly has a provision that it can't be used if the employee in question is vital to the operation of the business (which could be used in the Malkin case). So look for a bunch of legal stuff to go on with injunctions filed left right and centre that could hold up his move. I suspect Kaigorodov would wait until the dust settles to avoid being caught up in what promises to be a legal battle royale. I still maintain it would be easier if the Sens secured his own release with cash (assuming it is not a ridiculous amount), but we'll see.

Of note in the National Post today, Muckler confirmed an agreement in principle is in place and apparently had Kaigorodov pencilled in as the 4th line centre and said he could still come over this year but in any case is looking forward to getting him here at some point.

i really liked shuby on Defense, the guy can really hit, maybe not as consistenly as id like but none the less, hes got hiting power. i can really see him bcoming a Anton type guy...not really offensivly minded..just an aggresive defender and hitter..cuz hes got the body to do it