Tales from K.H.L.

  I was looking at Slava Malamud's blog and accidentally ran into this blog on Sport-Express. This is what in NHL goes as 'rumors du jour'. It was very hard to understand because it was intentionally written that way. Those who know Russian will confirm.

By Mikhail Zislis, Sport-Express blog, Oct. 24, 2008 "Tales from K.H.L.":

Colorado wants to see in their roster Atlant's Goalkeeper Ray Emery, as if people over the pond have forgotten about the adventures of a black guy who loves to drink excessively and gets into the fights. In Mytischi the season for a Canadian started badly, he gave up 6 goals, plus another 2 that were not counted. When Emery was pushed aside by backup goalie Kolesnik, Ray went on a bender. And he did it in such a way that even accustomed to anything Russians kept their mouths open in surprise.

The management of the team realized that if they won't take an action there would be irreversible consequences. They started to play Emery because otherwise it would mean nothing but trouble. And so it is, he plays, and at times he plays well. And everybody's happy. Nobody can afford to waste two million dollars per year, that's Emery's salary, especially in these troubled financial times. Incidentally since then the report is that the Canadian calmed down.

By the way, about the millions. The story is that Forsberg 's agent asked Kazan Ak Bars for the contract exceeding Jaromir Jarg's contract in Omsk. [Jagr is the highest paid hockey player in the world]. People in Kazan naturally were a little surprised, they circled finger at the temple and tactfully sent people with such requirements back to Örnsköldsvik, Forsberg's home. And, indeed, does someone in Sweden thinks that Russians are ready to pay that much to a disabled guy on the skates, well, maybe outstanding disabled guy on the skates?

Money, the most pressing issue.

It's not always goes as a cash like before. But how to collect the racketeering bucks? Ok, let's not make a puzzled face. The establishment of KHL at the moment does not make hockey transparent and profitable. In general, what takes place in sports is the same what is taking place in real life. I've heard one story. One team, I just say that it is outside of Moscow region, is direct depositing the hockey players salary to their accounts. As it is in the best places in Europe. But how do some people get their, let's say, commission? The question has appeared to be settled easily. Some veterans, like in times under a Tatar rule, collect the required percentage from other players.

They get those the correct amounts in envelopes. And, curiously enough, even foreign players make a contribution, apparently aware of all the nuances. Then the collectors give it to the head coach who in his turn relays the money to a superior person. Interestingly in the light of global financial crisis is something in this regard going to change? I think, yes. They'll stop direct depositing the money so that the whole operation will be easier to execute.