The economic issues befalling Russia has also impacted the nation’s top hockey organization, as the KHL is in danger of not completing the 2014-15 season
More from NHL
- NHL Rumors: Legendary Patrice Bergeron retires, which 3 players could be next to hang up their skates?
- NHL Rumors: Latest on Hart, Hellebuyck, Gibson trade possibilities
- NHL Rumors: 5 forwards most likely to sign early extensions this summer
- NHL Rumors: Where things stand with Erik Karlsson, Penguins and Hurricanes
- NHL Rumors: Penguins nearly traded for Erik Karlsson at deadline
Seems sanctions and the falling price of oil has combined to send Russia’s economy into a tailspin not seen since the 1998 financial crisis nearly sunk the nation. The Ruble dropped more than 10 percent on Tuesday, and while it did recover some of its losses, the impact has had far-reaching ramifications on the nation’s top hockey organization, the KHL.
Since the start of the season, salaries in the KHL have dropped by 50 percent, since all contract are paid in the Russian Ruble. The fall in pay has led to a host of other drastic moves, including Mikko Koskinen, one of the league’s top goaltenders who plays for Sibir, announcing that he would not play another game until conditions improve.
Koskinen could be in for a long wait:
[https://twitter.com/mirtle/status/544915554813755392]
The league is slated to have an emergency meeting on Wednesday, at which time the owners will discuss how to keep the KHL afloat for its seventh season.
While some superstars like Ilya Kovalchuk will be taken care of, the prospect of a watered-down league in which only a handful of teams remain loaded with top talent is one the KHL would like to avoid. A more likely scenario should the economy continue to fall: an exodus of players heading to the NHL.
Such an option would lead to a windfall of talent, especially for teams who may hold rights to KHL talent. Vladimir Putin’s gamble to defy the west while (allegedly) starting a war in the Ukraine may lead to a KHL refugee or two being a difference maker when the Stanley Cup playoffs begin.
More from FanSided
- NFL rumors: Aaron Rodgers sets Jets up for Super Bowl run with new contract
- MLB Trade Grades: Dodgers land Amed Rosario from Guardians
- Colorado gives Pac-12 a possible death knell with move to Big 12
- NFL rumors: Dalvin Cook suitor maintaining very ‘real’ interest
- Braves get dose of bad news on Max Fried as ace nears return