Kruikov heads back to Russia

[Bay Side]

Kruikov heads back to Russia
: www.SabreFans.com
The Buffalo Sabres were not able to negotiate Artem Kriukov's release from Yaroslav in the Russian League. As a result the Sabres are not allowed to sign their first round pick in the 2000 entry draft and Kriukov has returned home to Russia. Kriukov has impressed the Sabres organization quite a bit and had been practicing with the Amerks since the end of the preseason.

[starfirestar]

Another mistake by Regier. I hope he gets Vanek under contract next year, if he is ready, which I think he will be.

[Forum21]

WHy is this a mistake by Regeir? Kriukov is the one who signed with a Russian team in the first place.

[Jim Bob]

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/sports/amerks/forprint/11067629E1P_amerks06_amerks.shtml

He was not able to secure his release from his team in Russia, so the talented but inexperienced centerman has left the Rochester Americans and is heading home to Russia. The Sabres are not permitted to take part in those negotiations based on an agreement between the NHL and the International Ice Hockey Federation.

Kruikov, the 15th overall pick in the 2000 NHL draft, has been in western New York since the summer. The Sabres decided they wanted him under contract after assessing his abilities in training camp, but negotiations between the Russian league and the IIHF apparently hit a roadblock.

In order to join the Sabres organization, Kruikov, 21, needed his release from his team, Yaroslav, of the Russian League.


This one wasn't on Regier or the Sabres.

Kriukov is just a pawn in a political battle between the NHL, the IIHF, and the European leagues who don't like the way that their talent gets taken away from them while players are still under contract.

[Jim Bob]

http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20031107/1031242.asp

Kriukov is under contract with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl through the 2004-05 season, and the Russians refused to let him out of the deal.

It will be interesting to see if they can get him over here next summer.

[Forum21]

It makes you wonder what the NHL is getting out of this?

[Jim Bob]

It's complicated.

The main thing is that it is possible to get players to leave European leagues while they are still under contract. The thing is that it has to happen during a certain window during the offseason.

I think the Sabres waited to see how Kriukov looked in the preseason before they offered him a deal. By then the window had closed and that's why they needed him to be released from his deal with Yaroslavl.

My guess is that perhaps there is a payment that is made if the guy leaves while he's under contract. But, the IIHF wasn't willing to make that payment to Yaroslavl if they released him.

So they will wait until next summer, Kriukov will come over, and Yaroslavl will get their money.

[Jim Bob]

A much better explanation of the situation:

http://www.hfboards.com/showthread.php?postid=424130

[Forum21]

Hmm.. how long do the sabres retain his rights?

[Thumper]

That's too bad.

But he wasn't going to be playing with the Parent club this seasons anyways. Rochester could have used him, though.

[Jim Bob]

Originally posted by jj@jj.com
Hmm.. how long do the sabres retain his rights?

He's a European based draftee, so basically forever.

[The REAL Sabres]

Originally posted by jj@jj.com
WHy is this a mistake by Regeir? Kriukov is the one who signed with a Russian team in the first place.

That's right!!! It's NOT REGIER'S FAULT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Sabres and Kriukov AGREED to terms. It was stubborn Yaroslavl's faults. I guess the couldn't bear to let him go...:D

[Forum21]

Originally posted by Thumper
That's too bad.

But he wasn't going to be playing with the Parent club this seasons anyways. Rochester could have used him, though.

But it could hinder his development as an NHL player as he will still have to adjust to the N.A. game.