The status of foreigners for the upcoming KHL season is still uncertain. Some teams create teams from Russian players only, while others try to invite legionnaires from North America. Most general managers of clubs agree that European hockey players should not be expected next year. They are not ready to come to Russia because of the pressure at home. The question remains open only to players with valid contracts.
In early May, Traktor CEO Ivan Savin announced that agreements with Czechs Roman Vill, Lukas Sedlak and Tomas Gika will be terminated at the initiative of the players. They will definitely not play for Chelyabinsk next season, but the club has made it clear that they hope for further cooperation. Traktor found a replacement for Ghica by signing a three-year contract with Anton Burdasov. It has not been possible to find a new and strong goalkeeper yet. The avant-garde may face a similar problem. Unlike the Urals, the Hawks have yet to announce their way with Czech goalkeeper Shimon Grubets. However, the media writes that he found himself a new team.
Swiss Hockey News reported that the 30-year-old Czech will continue his career in Zurich, with a one-year contract, citing Watson journalist Klaus Zaugg. At the same time, the general manager of Swiss club Sven Leuenberger has not yet confirmed this information. If Grubets does indeed move to Zurich, he will replace Jakub Kovarzh, who moved to Sparta Prague as the first number one. The challenge is that Shimon has a contract with Avangard for next season. A week ago, the Omsk club announced that the agreement is in force and that the goalkeeper is expected to start training camp. But if he refuses to return, on his initiative the contract with him will be terminated, there will be no “freeze”. “Either break the contract and pay compensation or play for Avangard”– said the chairman of the board of the club, Alexander Krylov.
According to sources, Shimon’s salary next season will be 50 million rubles. In case of termination of the contract on his own initiative, according to the legislation he should be given 1/3 of his total salary (because he is over 29 years old). This is 16.6 million rubles. Considering that a year ago Grubets made 10 million a year and salaries were small in Switzerland, that’s a huge amount for him, almost equal to his annual deal with Zurich. It is the financial issue that does not allow the goalkeeper to make a final decision. What is it waiting for?
Next week Finland will host a meeting of the IIHF Council. There they will have to make a decision on the FHR (the lawsuit was filed on suspicion that the federation had urged hockey clubs to engage in political campaigning). There is a possibility that the international federation wants to break all relations with the Russian side. This will mean contracts in the KHL will no longer matter to European leagues. A transfer card will not be needed to move to another championship, the legionnaires will not calmly return to Russia without compensation. It can be assumed that Grubets, as well as Juha Metsola, who will go to Switzerland despite having a contract with Avtomobilist, expect such a decision from the President of the IIHF. That’s right, Luc Tardif”The issue of removing Russia from membership is not on the agenda”, At the same time, some decisions will be made regarding the future of Russia.
In the current political environment, the option to break off relations is very likely. Previously, Russia’s participation in international hockey competitions of all ages was suspended and selected MFM and the World Cup. There is no need to wait for the IIHF president’s rhetoric to change. However, the situation with transfer cards is still different. If the legionnaires can leave the KHL without transfer cards, players of the European championships can switch to the Russian teams without compensation and deadlines. Anarchy will begin not only in the Russian league, but throughout Europe. In addition, salaries in the KHL are still significantly higher than in Switzerland, Germany, Finland and other countries. This means that someone will definitely use the opportunity to earn more. A dangerous precedent that could destroy the entire system of European hockey. Will the Tardif take such a risk for the sake of a few hockey players who are unwilling to pay compensation to Russian clubs? We will find out in the coming days.
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