Ovechkin is the best advertising engine for other Russians (update)
Semyon Varlamov's agent Vyacheslav Makhrensky explained why the choice was made in favor of the SKA, and talked about how much his client would receive in St Petersburg club.
Sportbox.ru, June 30, 2011:
I talked to the president of the "Locomotive" Yuri Yakovlev and asked him to make an offer Varlamov to continue his career. But we never received a formal proposal from the "Locomotive". Later we got from SKA.
Why you chose SKA?
Because we received an offer from them.
Were there others?
At least nobody else contacted me.
There are reports that by very conservative estimates Varlamov's salary will be eight times more than what Capitals offered him. Is this true?
Yes, it is. The financial terms offered by the SKA are better than those with the Washington.
Sportbox.ru: Note that in Washington Varlamov earned $822,000 a year.
That's why other NHL teams reluctant to draft Russians. With Ovechkin it is even more risky because any Russians who play for Washington Capitals with Ovi are receiving immediate attention from Russian media and KHL. Washington Capitals games are covered by Russian TV more than any other NHL club. Ovechkin serves as the best advertising engine for other Russians in KHL market.
Update:
Semyon Varlamov, whose rights in Russia belong to Yaroslavl "Locomotive", is waiting for a decision about his contract with SKA St. Petersburg. His agent Vyacheslav Makhrensky told to Sport-Express:
Semyon will be in North America until the situation will be resolved. If SKA will be able to sign him, he will arrive in St. Petersburg to the team's pre-season training on July 20th. In other case he will be preparing for the season in America.Source: Sport-Express.ru
Wait, what if SKA won't be able to get him? Varlamov doesn't want to play for Locomotive, will he sign with Capitals then?
Clear as mud. :-)
Just to remind, Locomotive is ready to offer Semyon $2 mil and SKA is offering $4 mil (no tax).
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4 comments:
Wait? I'm confused! So this is why NHL teams don't draft Russians?
Sorry I didn't make it clear. I made a change as "reluctant to draft Russians". Have you heard about Radulov? He just left for KHL and Predators lost everything. Or Filatov, who decided to play in Russia for a while.
well filatov is more a case of the club not utilizing a great young talented player with loads of potential. the filatov mess was all the blue jacket's fault not filatov. now he can be on the sens where he'll definately play and not be shipped to the AHL.
as far as Varly is concerned if he really is going to the KHL...peace out. love Neuvy more, think he's better and Varly hasn't done anything more then Neuvy has to prove to the Caps that he should make more then Neuvy. Varly won a playff round against the rangers, neuvy won a playoff round against the rangers too! nevuy has played more games in a season, they both have solid numbers...varly hasnt done anything to earn more then neuvy and if he wont accept a deal equal or less then neuvy's then peace
I'd also like to mention that one of the reasons why the Caps are one of the few teams to draft Russians or take a chance on them is because of Ovi. Russian players are more likely not to bolt IMO because they want to play with Ovi. But I also see your point TJ you're right in that players on the Caps get lots of coverage in Russia....it's too bad it had to end this way. I'm just glad we got something for him rather than just seeing him walk. I still stand by my argument that if Semin is traded I wouldn't be surprised if he bolts for KHL. Maybe I'm wrong and he's grown up a bit but it wouldn't surprise me at all.
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