OFFICIAL Columbus Blue Jackets Thread

[ScriptOhio]

Originally Posted by ysubuck

Blue Jackets notebook
GM denies Russian team still has rights to top pick

Sunday, June 29, 2008 3:15 AM
By Aaron Portzline


THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson yesterday disputed a report on the International Ice Hockey Federation's Web site that forward Nikita Filatov, the Jackets' No. 1 pick in last weekend's draft, still has one year remaining on his contract with a Russian club.
"That is not our understanding," Howson said, declining to comment further.
The IIHF report, written by the federation's communications director Szymon Szemberg, was posted Friday.
According to the article, officials from Russia's new professional league, the Continental Hockey League, believe Filatov has one year remaining on his contract with CSKA Moscow, also known as Central Army.

Continued.....

The fact that Howson didn't comment further is very troubling to me for some reason.

Who the hell knows what's going on over there in Russia? For all we know they ripped up his old contract and created a new one with two more years on it!

I'm not sure how hockey contracts work or how long the Jackets have rights to a draftee.

However, even if he is under contract with a Russian for the 2008/2009 season, why would it have to be a disaster? Can't we just sign him to a contract that is effective for the 2009/2010 season? Even if we do sign him for 2008/2009 isn't it likely he'd be in Syracuse anyway? Heck, playing for the Red Army may even be better experience than playing for Syracuse next season and we save the $$$ by not having to pay for the 2008/2009 season.

[jimotis4heisman]

Originally Posted by LitlBuck

I would be interested in your predictions on who the Blue Jackets might go after and possibly sign. Try picking out 4 defenseman and two centers and we can go from there or do you think they will look at forwards rather than centers.

hockey is interesing this summer youll have 100-120 players change teams likely. you dont have that kind of turnover, the same kind of tampering rules in other major sports. i have no idea who it will be. i could come up with a likely list of targets easily and a list that id personally like. you have to be more willing that the rest of the league to get these guys.

[jimotis4heisman]

Originally Posted by ScriptOhio

I'm not sure how hockey contracts work or how long the Jackets have rights to a draftee.

However, even if he is under contract with a Russian for the 2008/2009 season, why would it have to be a disaster? Can't we just sign him to a contract that is effective for the 2009/2010 season? Even if we do sign him for 2008/2009 isn't it likely he'd be in Syracuse anyway? Heck, playing for the Red Army may even be better experience than playing for Syracuse next season and we save the $$$ by not having to pay for the 2008/2009 season.

you have to get him over. or hell never come over. it gets more interesting that he plays for cska moscow (central army)

remember zherdev he jolted his russian team and left for the nhl and then during his contract holdout went back to russia. as a cbj fan you have alexander svitov and his flight to russia.

i do know that technically you need only 2 weeks notice by russian labor laws. and that a few players have broken contracts to go the other way. i dont see the contract being an issue even if he is under contract. id be more worried about him being abducted by the army...

[LitlBuck]

Originally Posted by jimotis4heisman

hockey is interesing this summer youll have 100-120 players change teams likely. you dont have that kind of turnover, the same kind of tampering rules in other major sports. i have no idea who it will be. i could come up with a likely list of targets easily and a list that id personally like. you have to be more willing that the rest of the league to get these guys.

I guess you certainly skated around that one

[ScriptOhio]

Originally Posted by jimotis4heisman

you have to get him over. or hell never come over. it gets more interesting that he plays for cska moscow (central army)

remember zherdev he jolted his russian team and left for the nhl and then during his contract holdout went back to russia. as a cbj fan you have alexander svitov and his flight to russia.

i do know that technically you need only 2 weeks notice by russian labor laws. and that a few players have broken contracts to go the other way. i dont see the contract being an issue even if he is under contract. id be more worried about him being abducted by the army...

Yeah I remember now, I found this old article:

It is expected that either the Russian Ice Hockey Federation or Zherdev's team, CSKA (the Central Red Army), will claim that the player has yet to complete military service, and will seek his return to Russia. However, according to the transfer agreement between the NHL and the International Ice Hockey Federation, Zherdev was free to join the Blue Jackets in August after he signed a three-year contract and the team paid the $100,000 transfer fee.
According to NHL sources, Zherdev's exit visa was "mislaid," preventing his leaving for the United States in time for the start of the season. Though the NHL has been inquiring as to Zherdev's status since August, proof of the player's military obligation has not been provided and Zherdev has maintained he hasn't taken an oath of duty.
Bill Daly, the NHL's chief legal officer, stated that Zherdev can play with the Blue Jackets until further notice, saying, "At this point we've not been provided with sufficient evidence to establish either A, that he has a compulsory military service obligation, or B, that he's conscripted in the Russian military."

Entire article: ESPN - Fourth overall pick leaves Russia - NHL

[LitlBuck]

visa was "mislaid," preventing his leaving for the United States

it's interesting how things have been over there at the most convenient of times for them.