Is Russian hockey in permanent decline?

Question

I know the Russian pro clubs are well financed by maybe sketchy people, and get good crowds. However I heard a lot of the Soviet era rinks have been converted to other purposes. If kids don't have a place to play, where are the future elite players going to come from?

Should the NHL try harder to work with Russian hockey so they don't just gut that source of talent?

Answer 1

Actually it's not in aq decline at all. During the recent NHL meetings, the current Russian head of sport (some guy named Fetisov) was talking about how the numbers are at all time highs and growing. Currently hockey is the 4th largest sport in Russia behind Soccer, Basketball, and Tennis, and making inroads on Tennis.

As you mentioned, Russian club teams of late have been well subsidized by the Roman Abramoviches of the world, and that has kept the Soviet (the league still has teams in Latvia, Lithuania, and Ukraine) league going.

Bob, the only major hockey country not in the IIHF transfer agreement is Russia. There is talk that after this one expires that Sweden and Finland will opt out, but that talk existed before this agreement was signed last year. The fact is for Sweden and Finland, opting out would be a huge loss financially.

As it stands now, for each player drafted, or signed as a free agent from one of the signatories (Germany, Sweden, France, Italy, Finland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Switzerland, and Austria) the NHL club will pay the IIHF $200,000. This money is pooled and then proportionally distributed to the signatory IIHF member nations (Germany, Sweden, and Czech Republic get the most right now).

Russian teams want the $200,000 as well, but they want it sent directly to the club that loses the player, not through the hands of Rene Fasel. Everybody but Russia is against that idea.

Answer 2

It is the countries responsibilty to develop talent, not the NHL's.
If you are referring to the transfer agreement (or lack thereof), that money I believe went to the pro clubs that the player came from, not toward Russian hockey development (could be wrong). I guess a case could be made that the NHL transfer fees (200,000 I believe) are really undercutting, especially when you see the transfer fees that soccer clubs pay for players. Even with MLB and the way they have been paying Asian clubs (Dice K). However, there is a belief in MLB that they don't give enough back to the Dominican Republic.
Also, it is no longer just a Russian issue, I think many other countries have now opted out of the transfer agreement (Finland, Sweden etc).
The Russian clubs seem to be able to afford to pay these players some big salaries (especially young guys, Ovechkin would be making much more in Russia right now) but they want to play in the best league in the world.
What it comes down to though is Russia as a country is accountable for their National Hockey, why should the NHL help them out? Although there is some program where they give alot of equipment, build rinks etc and it may only be in North America (I think Mike Gartner heads it up) but that is where the NHL is based so it makes sense.

Answer 3

The Russians are clearly in decline, just take a look at there defence, its terrible and Russia hasn't even medalled at the past 3 olympics, 2006 - 4th, 2010 - 6th, 2014 5th, oohh watch out for the powerhouse Russians they might just might improve and finish in 3rd place one of these olympics.

Answer 4

"privet!" I live in Russia and have been to dozens of CSKA (Red Army), Dynamo and Spartak games over the years. Russians do love their hockey, but they realize that the glory days of the Soviet times are gone. When they do assemble players for the National team, it's an awesome force, like we saw last year at the World Champs. However, getting them to play for Russia can be difficult to do. The local games are interesting and if you love hockey, they are about an AHL level. They just never SHOOT!!
I don' t think the govt wants to put more money into hockey, as it's seen as part of the country's Soviet past, but rather into soccer, (football), which is more aligned with Europe, and that looks much more enticing to Russians.
So for a short answer, yes it is in decline, but I don't think it's permanent.

Answer 5

No.....It's actually raising pretty quickly. And if anything more hockey will inspire youths to play. and i really doubt there are so many Russian clubs taking arenas that kids won't have any where to play. The NHL has 30 teams and if you ask me that's too much. The loss of 30 rinks won't stop any really great player.

Answer 6

I think that with the Soviets no longer putting the money into it it could be. Also the soviets used to take kids when they were 11 or 12 and put them on a camp where all they did was be taught and conditioned to play hockey so even if it does make a recovery it will never be as good as it was.