NHL Franchise Notes: Radulov Bemoans Being Focus Of KHL Dispute
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Radulov Feels NHL-KHL Deal
Necessary To Prevent Conflicts |
In Nashville, John Glennon reports RW Alexander Radulov, in his first interview with North American media since signing with Russia Continental Hockey League (KHL) team Salavat Yulaev Ufa, "expressed frustration that, because he's the most talented player involved in a transfer between the KHL and NHL, he seemed to be caught in a well-publicized power struggle between the two leagues." Radulov and agent Jay Grossman said that they "believe it's vital that the KHL and NHL sign a new transfer agreement so these kinds of situations won't occur in the future." Radulov: "They've got to make a statement and I don't want to be caught in the middle of that" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 10/16). In a letter released by the KHL, attributed to Radulov, and addressed to KHL President Alexander Medvedev, Radulov said that he "has no interest in arbitration or in returning to the NHL" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 10/14).
TICKET PLAN: In Buffalo, Gene Warner notes the Sabres currently have "a total of about 43,000 tickets left, or a little more than 1,000 for the average game." Last year at this time the team had "about 28,000 tickets left." Sabres Minority Owner & COO Daniel DiPofi: "With the economy the way it is and the fact we didn't make the playoffs last year, the fact that we're down about 375 tickets a game is very encouraging. Our goal is to sell out the whole season. Based on what we're tracking, I think that's definitely possible" (BUFFALO NEWS, 10/16).
IN THE CREASE: In San Jose, John Ryan writes of an unnamed bidder, thought to be RIM co-CEO Jim Balsillie, being interested in buying the Predators' $40M debt, “If a trustee accepts the debt purchase, the NHL might not have much choice in who owns the team, and [NHL Commissioner Gary] Bettman’s long fight to keep the team out of Balsillie’s hands would end. And that could lead to his worst nightmare: a team moving from a southern U.S. city where fans don’t care about hockey to a Canadian city where they live for it. Yeah, that’d be awful for the league” (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 10/15).
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