The Russian sports publication Sports-Express reported today that Andrei Loktionov has signed to play with Severstal Cherepovets of the KHL for the duration of the NHL lockout. That’s all well and good, except for the little fact that Loktionov technically isn’t locked out. Last week, the Kings assigned him to Manchester of the AHL. There wasn’t any option or choice involved; he was assigned.
Depending on the Kings’ feelings on this — thus far, they have declined comment — this could potentially get messy. The Kings might not have a problem with Loktionov playing in Russia and getting additional professional experience. If they’re not happy with the idea, though, they could certainly make the case that Loktionov is in violation of his contract. Based on what I can gather, the Kings are still in something of a wait-and-see mode on this one.
There are no such concerns about Anze Kopitar, who has indeed followed through on his thought to go play with his brother in Sweden during the lockout, as referenced here a couple days ago. The L.A. Times and ESPN.com have said Kopitar can start playing in Sweden shortly. As an officially locked-out player, Kopitar can basically play anywhere he chooses.
It’s not like his AHL contract is going to make him a millionaire. Can’t blame the guy for trying to get a better deal or better experience playing with higher caliber hockey competition in the KHL.
Rich, even though his chances to stay with the LA Kings big team maybe slim, could this hurt his potential NHL career options and how, if the LAK blast him for violating his AHL contract?
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Stuart Reply:
September 19th, 2012 at 10:58 am
@Gustavo, true… contracts mean nothing anyway, right? what’s more important is the precedent that this will set for Voynov…
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Crown Royal Reply:
September 19th, 2012 at 12:09 pm
@Stuart,
It could set a precedent with Voynov but I doubt it. Voynov established himself as an NHL top four D-man on a team that won the Cup this season. There isn’t a team in the NHL who wouldn’t want him on their blueline. Lokti is still a question mark as an NHL’er. He may want to break his contract with the Kings and play in Russia long term as he might believe his chances of making the Kings roster here are slim, at least, in the next couple of years.
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Quisp Reply:
September 19th, 2012 at 2:18 pm
@Crown Royal,
He doesn’t have the option of breaking his contract, and the Kings wouldn’t let him go. He’s an asset. This isn’t Erik Ersberg.
p.s. I’m pretty sure I read somewhere that Larionov (AL’s agent) cleared the KHL move with the Kings.
Rich Hammond Reply:
September 19th, 2012 at 2:25 pm
Just a note in terms of any agreement/clearance between Larionov and the Kings…that’s not my understanding, at all.
Crown Royal Reply:
September 19th, 2012 at 2:39 pm
@Quisp,
I know he can’t break the contract but perhaps he was giving the Kings reason to break it for him. I assume he’s currently on a two way deal but not sure if that’s the case. He can probably earn more money in the KHL than he can at Manchester and begin establishing himself in that league if that’s his plan.
When Oscar Moller went back to play in the SEL he believed the Kings (Hextall with whom he had specifically spoken) was okay with him going. His situation was different than Lokti in that Moller was not signed to a current Kings contract at that time. In both cases, Lokti and Moller probably felt the better immediate hockey future for them was in Europe, not in Manchester.
Stuart Reply:
September 19th, 2012 at 2:46 pm
WHOA!!! how did Hammer get a reply box into a comment without a reply button??? Call Leanord Nimoy, we have just experienced a moment for mysteries of the universe!
Crown Royal Reply:
September 19th, 2012 at 2:55 pm
@Stuart,
Apparently he can do unusual things.
Stuart Reply:
September 19th, 2012 at 3:01 pm
@Crown Royal, please, do not elaborate! remember, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas! LOL
Osaka Reply:
September 19th, 2012 at 4:58 pm
@Quisp,
You are forgetting this is the KHL and contracts don’t mean a whole lot to them. Radulov was under contract with Nash when he went to the KHL. I don’t remember Nashville “letting” him go.
As far as Lokti being of more value than Ersberg, maybe, but not much value then Moller. Even though you have always been enamored with him, he is still not ever going to be an NHL top 6 forward. Maybe for a team in a complete rebuild.
Kings will benefit enormously from this lockout. No franchise wants an in-season ownership change, it’s a major distraction, to speak nothing of the “hangover” and the injury recuperation time for key players (Quick). If there’s a team that benefits from this Lockout as far as on-ice performance goes, I think it’s the Kings.
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googoo Reply:
September 19th, 2012 at 11:55 am
@FaceWash, yeah, and if the whole season is scrapped, we get to be Stanley Cup champs for 2 years!
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TheAcaciaStrain Reply:
September 19th, 2012 at 12:53 pm
@googoo, No… We were poised to repeat have to whole team back, and try again, now we don’t have a season and a playoffs. I’d much rather lose in the first round than have the entire season cancelled.
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Rich, do you know if NHL Network will be broadcasting AHL games? I need some kind of hockey fix.
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Let's do it again Reply:
September 19th, 2012 at 11:25 am
@Hockey Jesus, Stay off the NHL network till this is all over.
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Sebastian Reply:
September 19th, 2012 at 11:32 am
@Let’s do it again, ha, yep, i called to cancel my sports package that includes NHL Network. Im going to save $8 per month!
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I’d prefer if Loktionov were to play in Manchester but I do not think that its a huge deal that he plays in the KHL and I can’t see management thinking much different.
The real question though, is whether Loktionov chooses to stay in the KHL or return to North America (whether that is Manchester or LA) once the lockout ends. Have we seen the last of Lokti? hope not
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Osaka Reply:
September 19th, 2012 at 5:07 pm
@Paul, It is a huge deal if the Kings assign him to Manchester and he breaches his contract.
Also skill development is not the big concern for Lokti. He needs to work on playing a stronger, more involved, more physical, whole ice, defensive, North American game. Then hopefully we can ship him off somewhere for a draft pick.
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I thought there was some sort of agreement between NHL and KHL regarding signing players with current contracts. Perhaps since he has been assigned to AHL the agreement does not take effect?
Either way, good for Lokti, he gets a little more money and gets to play at home. He probably was not going to see much of the NHL whenever the season starts anyway.
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Dominick (defrim65) Reply:
September 19th, 2012 at 1:02 pm
@Sebastian, Each team is allowed 3 NHL players with restrictions on “veteran, and rookie” status, and what is considered “veteran, and rookie”. 1 Vet, 2 rookies per team I believe.
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Dominick (defrim65) Reply:
September 19th, 2012 at 1:05 pm
@Sebastian, Also add restricrtions on their nationality status. 1 player who’s not Russian I think.
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grega11 Reply:
September 19th, 2012 at 1:58 pm
@Dominick (defrim65), and they can`t sign a contract, that will pay them more than 65% of current salary
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I read somewhere Sweden blocked any locked out NHLer from playing there this year?
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DaBronx Reply:
September 19th, 2012 at 11:44 am
@DaBronx,
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/2012/09/18/20210776.html
or maybe anywhere?:
http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2012/9/19/3356838/nhl-lockout-2012-iihf-transfers-europe
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
September 19th, 2012 at 11:48 am
@DaBronx, only the elite or top swedish league….the lower division leagues can take any NHL talent they want. The team kopitar joined is a division 2 league I believe.
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Sebastian Reply:
September 19th, 2012 at 11:49 am
@DaBronx, TO clarify, the SEL will not accept any shot term contracts, they must be signed for the entire season. No NHL player will sign for a full season since they would return to the NHL as soon as the lockout ends. In a way, i really like this. It prevents NHL players from stealing other guys jobs over there.
Now the 2nd division league in Sweden is accepting short term contracts, and that is why Kopi signed to play with his brother.
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This is great. Now we are going to have to get the International Hockey Leagues Center Ice programing. The thing we will do for hockey. Really!!!!
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As much as I would like to see Lokti here in Manchester I’m OK with him playing in Russia during the lockout. Same with Voynov. I think each would be more challenged in the KHL than the AHL. Last year when both guys came back to Manchester at various times during the season they were invisible on the ice. Their heart wasn’t into playing in the AHL again. Given that Lokti and Voynov have the ability and desire to play in the KHL I hope that the LA Kings will allow them to do so. It would make things easier for both players in the short term and would earn some respect in the long run.
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Gustavo Reply:
September 19th, 2012 at 3:16 pm
@CT King,
Voynov was not assigned to Manchester. Therefore, he is a locked out player just as much as Kopi, Quick, Mitchell and the rest of the big team are and he can sign wherever he wants, just like Kopi, Malkin and others did.
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Stuart Reply:
September 19th, 2012 at 3:21 pm
@Gustavo, per the Hammer:
Voynov assigned to Manchester
Posted by Rich Hammond on 15 September 2012, 1:53 pm
The Kings have announced that Slava Voynov has been assigned to Manchester of the American Hockey League in the (very likely) event of a lockout. Voynov played 54 regular-season games for the Kings last season (plus the entire playoffs) but was eligible to be assigned to the AHL without having to pass through waivers. Voynov is the last of the Kings who could be assigned to the AHL without first having to clear waivers.
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Gustavo Reply:
September 19th, 2012 at 8:40 pm
@Stuart,
I stand corrected, then.
andy Reply:
September 22nd, 2012 at 8:56 am
@CT King, Agreed wholeheartly! Loktionov and Voynov would learn nothing more in the AHL. They’ve done their time. Loktionov has more to gain from playing in Russia I think because he’ll be in tough when the NHL season starts whenever that happens. Good Luck to Loktionov and Voynov wherever they end up. Both are good- maybe great young players that the Kings need!
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It’s hard for me to get worked up about this no matter how it turns out. Loktionov is no longer a good fit on the Kings because of his size (lack of) and the fact that the top 2 center positions are locked down for the next 8-10 years. The guy has some talent – I am just not sure this is going to be the place for him to be showing it.
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Osaka Reply:
September 19th, 2012 at 5:02 pm
@rick, I don’t see him as a top 6 on 29 other teams as well.
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