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Jiri Hudler played the 2008-09 NHL season with the Detroit Red Wings and made 1.5 million dollars has signed a contract with the Moscow Dynamo of the KHL for 10 million dollars contract that is tax free.
The only problem with that is Hudler was a NHL restricted free agent who had previously requested salary arbitration between himself and the Wings.
The Red Wings have field a complaint with the International Ice Hockey Federation and have a hearing set for July 30th to resolve the matter. Moscow Dynamo and the KHL have both stated they will abide by the decision of the KHL.
This brings up many interesting sports business arguments. Should a player being granted salary arbitration in good faith be allowed to sign with a rival league? Should a team like the Wings try and keep a player in America that apparently no longer desires to be?
The answer to the second question is a little easier than the first. The Wings are not trying to keep Hudler in America playing in the NHL; they merely want to retain his rights should he ever return to North America. The assumption here is they will seek to regain some money from Moscow Dynamo for signing away one of their restricted free agents.
The first question is something that the IIHF is going to have to ultimately decide, they must rule on where the line is for players to sign with rival leagues.
Comments
'Should a player being granted salary arbitration in good faith be allowed to sign with a rival league?'
good faith and 10 million tax free dollars are 2 different things.
maybe hudler didn't know of the 10 mill offer at the time? maybe he wanted to give detroit a chance to match, however improbable?
either way, signing w/ khl isn't bad faith, unless hudler was deceptive and i haven't heard that he was. if he is not under a currently signed contract, he has greater good faith to do the best for his family.
typically, good competition forces an all around upgrade. which the nhl can use...in good faith.
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