“If the IIHF breaks the law, the KHL must act.” Indrashis’ outrageous deal with Spartak threatens global conflict

“For our league, it’s a matter of principle”

– Due to Latvian striker Miks Indrashis’ contract with Spartak, an international scandal erupted. Should the red-whites seek compensation from Indrasis for non-compliance with the contract?

– It is not very clear how these negotiations took place. I was personally extremely surprised when I learned this summer that Spartak had signed Indrashis. Considering the political situation in the world, it seemed strange. But since it happened, we have to go all the way.

– Should the KHL show integrity and even tenacity?

“For our league, it’s a matter of principle. Because if Indrasis is allowed to play in Germany with a valid contract with Spartak, it will mean that the IIHF will not recognize our contracts. And then there is the reverse story…

– In modern terms, the KHL will take retaliatory sanctions?

– Sure. This means that our clubs can take any player from Europe with a valid contract. After all, why did the NHL start respecting our contracts and signing the corresponding agreement? Because we took Radulov out of the current contract from Nashville in 2008 and that was it. On the other side of the ocean, they immediately began a dialogue on mutual respect for treaties. That is to say, it is not the compensation that is important, but the reaction of the IIHF, whether the law is respected or not.

– It turns out that Indrashis is not responsible for not wanting to go to Spartak, but for the fact that he also signed a side contract with the German club?

– Mix is ​​wrong that, having not settled his contractual obligations to Spartak, he entered into a new contract in another league. You can let him go, since he doesn’t want to go to Russia. But Spartak now has the rights to the player. And if a German club claims Indrasis, then they have to negotiate with the red-whites and buy out the striker’s contract. It will be by law.

“With Shipachyov, Yashkin would have been more effective. But Ak Bars had no more money under the ceiling.

– One of the most publicized transfers of the offseason was the return of famous forward Dmitry Yashkin to the KHL. Why did he sign a contract with SKA and did not go to Ak Bars, where it was possible to restore his super three with Shipachyov and Kagarlitsky?

– I think Ak Bars just didn’t have the money under the salary cap to do another deal with a top player. They have already reinforced themselves very powerfully by signing Shipachyov, Voinov and Radulov. It would be strange if they also had a place in Yashkin’s budget.

– Or maybe Yashkin just doesn’t like Znark for some reason?

– Not. A forward like Yashkin in the KHL simply cannot be hated by anyone. No coach will refuse him.

– Will Dmitry be able to become the best marksman in the KHL again?

– It’s hard to guess. Because, firstly, he had a very unsuccessful season in the NHL – he had to nurse his injury for a long time. No one knows what form he is currently in. And secondly, with all due respect to the SKA players, the team doesn’t have a playmaker like Shipachev. This is also important.

– With whom will Yashkin go on the ice in SKA?

– Most likely, the army team’s coaching staff will try different options with Yashkin. They’ll put one on, another on, and figure out who it works best with.

– To what extent does Dmitry depend on his partners? Or is he a striker around whom you can build a shock trio?

– I wouldn’t call Yashkin addicted. However, for any sniper it is important who and how he “brings shells” to him. Here, Mogilny has scored 76 NHL goals during the season, it’s clear he’s a talent. But you also have to take into account that Lafontein was playing with him on the same line at that time.

So Yashkin will not get lost without Shipachyov, but in the same line with Vadim he would certainly be more effective. However, like any sniper.

“Zaripov deserves a chance at the sixth Gagarin Cup”

— Avangard’s captain, Aleksey Emelin, has moved to Dynamo Minsk. Why didn’t the Falcons keep their cult player?

– Emelin is a defender for the first pair. At Avangard, apparently, they decided that at 36, he wouldn’t be as good in the shock five as he was before. But for Minsk, Aleksey is quite suitable for the role of leader who will go to the majority and usually play in the first link. It makes no sense to keep him in third or fourth pair.

– The Belarusian club has also signed a viewing contract with Nikolai Zherdev. Do you believe the 37-year-old forward will return to the KHL four years later?

– Zherdev can theoretically return. The question is how effective will it be? I doubt he helps the Minskers in any way. If a person didn’t get a foothold in Ryazan last season, what can they demonstrate at the KHL level?

– Maxim Chudinov also returned to the KHL after a one-year hiatus. However, he still only has a trial contract with Ak Bars.

– It’s a completely different story. Chudinov had been recovering from an injury for a long time. The question is, how recovered? If he’s 100% ready for the loadouts, then Maxim has a good chance.

– It is strange that at the same time he tries his hand at Ak Bars, who is faced with the task of winning the Gagarin Cup.

– And here Znark’s personality just played a role. Oleg Valeryevich recently said in an interview that he knows Maxim well. Znarok still believes to the end in the guys who played in his teams. So he gave Chudinov a chance.

– Not only Chudinov, but also 41-year-old Danis Zaripov, who decided to extend his professional career for another year.

– As far as I know, Zaripov’s contract is purely symbolic in financial terms. That is, the club will not spend a lot of money on this. Under these conditions, why not take an experienced player, since he wants it himself. Yet masters like Zaripov should be treated with great respect. Danis deserved the chance to win the sixth Gagarin Cup of his career.