...which they haven't been paying...and does it even count as one of the Preds "50" contracts?
- OilCountryEast

He is one of their 50....that is why on cap geek they only have 49 shown.

Why is this sooooo complicated for y'all? Whether someone can come back and play in North America after having started the season playing in Europe has absolutely nothing to do with whether or not he has a contract.

For the last time, I never said he didn't have a contract.
- thebige

Actually it may or may not matter. You have no example showing that him having a contract doesn't matter. There is no precedent for either side to cite.

The rule you cite doesn't specify if it applies to guys who are signed, unsigned, or both. And since he wasn't "on loan" and wouldn't be signing a new deal, that rule may not apply to this situation.

And also, since he is under suspension for an off-ice violation, his eligibility could become an issue for the commisioner or an arbitrator. There is no rule anywhere for a player who essentialy defects, and then comes back. So for anyone to say with certainty that this rule or that rule applies, is making an assumption, not a statement of fact.

Why is this sooooo complicated for y'all? Whether someone can come back and play in North America after having started the season playing in Europe has absolutely nothing to do with whether or not he has a contract.

For the last time, I never said he didn't have a contract.
- thebige

if he has a contract with the Preds, then there is ZERO reason that the NHL has to not let him play. You can keep citing rules that "kind of" apply to the situation, but the fact of the matter is the player is under contract. If he were a UFA or had the Preds LET him go to Russia, I could see you argument.

Radulov left before his contract was expired and the Preds hold his rights until it is expired. To incite that they should be further punished in this situation is madness.

He is one of their 50....that is why on cap geek they only have 49 shown.
- chrispreds

Good stuff..thank you.

What's the consensus up there: Will the Blues have enough time to reintegrate the returning players, and will those players return soon enough to get their game legs back before the playoffs start?

The way the Blues are going and with the players they're getting back I think I'd take my chances with Detroit in the first round.

The thing about Peks is he loses a bit of sharpness when he gets too much rest. With the number of back-to-backs the Preds have to close out March I expect Lindy to get at least 3 or 4 more starts to close out the season. Once the Preds get into the roughly every other day schedule of the playoffs Peks will shine.
- figurefive

The feeling is the guys coming back will only make us stronger. Wehn they come back it gives us a chance to go even farther in to the playoffs with the depth it will give us for the long haul. Just like the goaltending. We have allowed the fewest goals in the league and no one is talking any thing about Halak or Elliott. our BACK UP goalie was our ONLY All Star. We seem to have a TEAM. not one superstar. 5 man unit and a 200 foot game. Hitch said he was bringing thatin ot STL and he did. The boys have bought into it. BIG TIME and it shows. Halak is insane right now. kind of like he was in the Habs playoffs.

As far as the guys coming back, you can only go from what you have watched to date, adding Perron and A Mac hasnt hurt. See i think we will have it easier adding our players to our squad they you will with Radulov. See these guys have been here all year. Here is a guy ARAD, who left the team for more money, lost and now wants to come back for MORE money you have Suter sitting here who wants to stay here and you give Arad a boat load of money? One said you have a team with chemistry, arad could be an issue from with in.

Your thoughts?

buffalo kid, what do you guys think of the goose so far?

The section you cite is "WAIVERS AND LOANS OF PLAYERS TO MINOR LEAGUE CLUBS" Not sure this applies. He is a player under suspension, and under contract. It really is a gray area. Whether or not 13.23 applies to guys who are signed midseason, or any player who plays overseas during a season isn't specified.
- schiefer466

Interpret it however you want. What 13.23 says is that the only way to come back to North America mid-season is to have been loaned out to a team in a foreign league. Radulov was no loaned out, therefore, according to section 13.23 cannot come back this season.

And again, like I said from the start. The intent of 13.23 is to stop teams from bringing players in to the NHL playoffs who haven't had to first deal with the grind of the NHL regular season. This rule has been on the books for something like 15 years. It's there to prevent the scenario that teams used to exploit, where they'd bring guys in from Sweden who had floated through an easy SEL season, only to arrive back in the NHL for the playoffs, fresh as a daisy. Meanwhile the rest of the league was just trying to recover from the NHL's 82 game grind.

So, you can get into 8,000 technicalities if you'd like. None of them however change the reality that Radulov did not play in North American to start the season.

if he has a contract with the Preds, then there is ZERO reason that the NHL has to not let him play. You can keep citing rules that "kind of" apply to the situation, but the fact of the matter is the player is under contract. If he were a UFA or had the Preds LET him go to Russia, I could see you argument.

Radulov left before his contract was expired and the Preds hold his rights until it is expired. To incite that they should be further punished in this situation is madness.
- PoileRulezzzYo

I give up with you. You really don't understand what the issue is here. This is not about people being under contract. This is about whether guys should be able to float around Europe for a season and then show up fresh for the playoffs.

If you had watched the NHL back in the 80s you'd know that the Oilers used to pull this trick all the time with guys like Reijo Ruotsalainen, where the guy would magically pop up on the Oilers roster, fresh as a daisy, ready to skate circles around the rest of the league.

That's the spirit of the rule. And that's why it makes clear that unless you were sent out on loan, you cannot come back unless you clear waivers.

buffalo kid, what do you guys think of the goose so far?
- orazinc18

Interpret it however you want. What 13.23 says is that the only way to come back to North America mid-season is to have been loaned out to a team in a foreign league. Radulov was no loaned out, therefore, according to section 13.23 cannot come back this season.

And again, like I said from the start. The intent of 13.23 is to stop teams from bringing players in to the NHL playoffs who haven't had to first deal with the grind of the NHL regular season. This rule has been on the books for something like 15 years. It's there to prevent the scenario that teams used to exploit, where they'd bring guys in from Sweden who had floated through an easy SEL season, only to arrive back in the NHL for the playoffs, fresh as a daisy. Meanwhile the rest of the league was just trying to recover from the NHL's 82 game grind.

So, you can get into 8,000 technicalities if you'd like. None of them however change the reality that Radulov did not play in North American to start the season.
- thebige

You don't know the intent. The intent isn't discussed. And what you cite may or may not be applicable. The wording is vague, there is no precedent, and such a cirsumstance hadn't and hasn't happened. It's up for interpretation.

Can you cite a previous use of this rule on a similar situation? No. No one can. And believe me, if you're even close to right, there will be several GM's fighting hard for him to pass waivers. Seeings how the GM's met this week, with rumors swirling and it was never mentioned, chances are you're not as right as you think.

I give up with you. You really don't understand what the issue is here. This is not about people being under contract. This is about whether guys should be able to float around Europe for a season and then show up fresh for the playoffs.

If you had watched the NHL back in the 80s you'd know that the Oilers used to pull this trick all the time with guys like Reijo Ruotsalainen, where the guy would magically pop up on the Oilers roster, fresh as a daisy, ready to skate circles around the rest of the league.

That's the spirit of the rule. And that's why it makes clear that unless you were sent out on loan, you cannot come back unless you clear waivers.
- thebige

I would argue that the circumstances surrounding Radulov are so unique that trying to fit his particular situation in to the rules as they are currently written is unrealistic. I can't see where the predators are trying to pull the wool down on anyones eyes.

This to me is kind of like the Pine tar incident. Is it arguably a violation of the rules? Maybe, but what is the intent? Also, Why should the Preds be punished by actions that they are wholly not responsible for?

I can see where other teams are going to have their nose out of joint but I think should Radulov come back , he'llgo right to the roster and be eligible. Nashville has always had Bettman's back, I can't even imagine the blowback he would get if the league squashed it somehow.

I appreciate that attitude but IMO, if he can deliver a Cup this yr I don't give a poop what has gone on. My guess would be that would be the overiding opinion of the locker room as well.

I think there is a lot that has been ignored or under reported about how shoddily he was treated by some of the veteran Preds when he bolted. I don't care how immature he was, calling a 20 yr old "captain clueless" ( Mason of all people..) to his face and questioning his "antics" while also expecting him to be the offensive Godsend of the franchise probably made it pretty easy for him to say "screw you I'm out of here.."

A home cooked meal and several million dollars would look pretty good..
- coaster28

I thought Radu had more of a problem with BT than the vets.

Bob McKenzie, while very professional and connected is dead wrong. Dreger, is just an idiot.
- thebige

I would have to believe they have more knowledge and have more connections than some guy on the Predators thread.....

13.23 is pretty vague for Radulov's situation, with his "frozen" nhl contract, He has his contract before the trade deadline. That is why this situation is such a gray area.
SO lets say he does come back and go through waivers, and some one else picks him up. How would the "other team" pick him up and sign him to a contract? Essentially wouldn't he have 2 contracts with 2 NHL teams?

The feeling is the guys coming back will only make us stronger. Wehn they come back it gives us a chance to go even farther in to the playoffs with the depth it will give us for the long haul. Just like the goaltending. We have allowed the fewest goals in the league and no one is talking any thing about Halak or Elliott. our BACK UP goalie was our ONLY All Star. We seem to have a TEAM. not one superstar. 5 man unit and a 200 foot game. Hitch said he was bringing thatin ot STL and he did. The boys have bought into it. BIG TIME and it shows. Halak is insane right now. kind of like he was in the Habs playoffs.

As far as the guys coming back, you can only go from what you have watched to date, adding Perron and A Mac hasnt hurt. See i think we will have it easier adding our players to our squad they you will with Radulov. See these guys have been here all year. Here is a guy ARAD, who left the team for more money, lost and now wants to come back for MORE money you have Suter sitting here who wants to stay here and you give Arad a boat load of money? One said you have a team with chemistry, arad could be an issue from with in.

Your thoughts?
- Stricknasty's Hero

If Happy Meal stays healthy, the Blues will go far!

The point is in what's happening, not in how hard done by you may feel by Radulov. What is being discussed is exactly like what teams used to do in the past.

1. Euro player who wanted to live in Europe, rather than NA. Check
2. Player wants to play for.the Stanley Cup once his season ends in Europe. Check

This is exactly why the waiver rule is there. Too bad you're too biased to see that.
- thebige

You continue to miss the point, that he is already under contract. No amount of your whining will change that fact.

Say Ryan Kesler decided to not show up in the fall and decided instead to go work on a chicken farm. Nothing your mgmt could do could keep Ryan from working with his beloved chickens. Year after year, chickens have become Kesler's life and passion. Year after year the Canuck fans would hold their breath all along saying, "This year...this is the year he's coming back". After all, he's got years left on his contract, and he IS a Vancouver Canuck! He isn't a chicken farmer! Say Kesler came to his senses and said, "I'm a hockey player! WTF am I doing?!?! I want to go back to Vancouver!". What you are saying is that Kesler would not be allowed back on the team at this time? And the Canucks would be ok with that? If the chicken analogy doesn't work...then replace "chicken farmer" with "riot squad officer".

I'm loving all the banter from the VAN trolls. You guys in BC are hilarious.
Point #1: Do not pursue a career in law. It's glaringly obvious you have not a clue about contracts.
Point #2: Don't be a hypocrite! IF the Canuckleheads held Radulov's contract as the Preds currently do, you would be screaming from the treetops that you have every right to his services and screw anyone for thinking otherwise.
Point #3: Enjoy your early exit after round 1. My questions is: Will you still burn down the city?
- Hockey_is_life

Which city? That's like asking stars fans if they would burn down Texas if Dallas got eliminated from the playoffs...

What is it about the Vancouver jackholes? Apparently "thebige" has left an "L" out of his name; just as "dshiddy" has substituted "Ds" for "Ts" in his.

I give up with you. You really don't understand what the issue is here. This is not about people being under contract. This is about whether guys should be able to float around Europe for a season and then show up fresh for the playoffs.
- thebige

1) the key word you mentioned is should...while you are arguing how it should be...people are telling you how it IS not how it should be.
2) you mention "float around Europe"- well hate to break it too you the khl is played over a continent in many countries and the NHL is pampered...its not like they haven't played just as hard over there.

3) the issue here is cap circumvention and ufas, which is where you'd be right but the player in question is already signed to the club he wants to play for if you can't understand that you should give up and probably just not on that, you should probably give up on life in general

I thought Radu had more of a problem with BT than the vets.
- slash&smash

i always heard it was arnott and dumont. could be wrong. could be an urban legend, kind of like radu.

Say Ryan Kesler decided to not show up in the fall and decided instead to go work on a chicken farm. Nothing your mgmt could do could keep Ryan from working with his beloved chickens. Year after year, chickens have become Kesler's life and passion. Year after year the Canuck fans would hold their breath all along saying, "This year...this is the year he's coming back". After all, he's got years left on his contract, and he IS a Vancouver Canuck! He isn't a chicken farmer! Say Kesler came to his senses and said, "I'm a hockey player! WTF am I doing?!?! I want to go back to Vancouver!". What you are saying is that Kesler would not be allowed back on the team at this time? And the Canucks would be ok with that? If the chicken analogy doesn't work...then replace "chicken farmer" with "riot squad officer".
- YouAreTheGovt

As far as the intent of your Kesler situation goes, I would think the much more likely scenario is that if Kesler wanted to farm chickens, he would retire. That's what you do when you quit playing hockey and decide to take up a different profession. And in that case, if he wanted to come back, he could sign with any team he wanted.

Serge Savard did something very similar when he wanted to leave Montreal. He retired and then quickly signed with the Jets. I'm not saying it's ethical, but that's an option that is certainly open to players.

1) the key word you mentioned is should...while you are arguing how it should be...people are telling you how it IS not how it should be.
2) you mention "float around Europe"- well hate to break it too you the khl is played over a continent in many countries and the NHL is pampered...its not like they haven't played just as hard over there.

3) the issue here is cap circumvention and ufas, which is where you'd be right but the player in question is already signed to the club he wants to play for if you can't understand that you should give up and probably just not on that, you should probably give up on life in general

- I-own_da-Northwest

You have to be the winner of the biggest tool on Hockey Buzz award. I should "give up on life in general"? WTF?

In general I enjoy the banter here on this site. When you come up with such a piece of poop as what you just wrote down here I have to assume that you're a very intellectually challenged individual. You just typed a bunch of unsubstantiated crap down on a website and presented it as an argument?

At least the rest of us are putting forth opinions based upon some backing.

You're pathetic.

I think the easiest way to look at this whole situation is that making Radulov go through waivers just punishes the Predators for doing nothing wrong (actually, it kind of penalizes them twice, considering they didn't want him to leave in the 1st place). Cry all you want, it's the right thing to do.

Anyways, if he does come back, I don't see any problems in the locker room, unless certain players don't want the team to be better.

I think the easiest way to look at this whole situation is that making Radulov go through waivers just punishes the Predators for doing nothing wrong (actually, it kind of penalizes them twice, considering they didn't want him to leave in the 1st place). Cry all you want, it's the right thing to do.

Anyways, if he does come back, I don't see any problems in the locker room, unless certain players don't want the team to be better.
- ZappBrannigan

I don't think he can go through waivers because if someone else signs him he would have 2 contracts in the NHL. So I'm not sure what rule gets applied to him.

I don't think he can go through waivers because if someone else signs him he would have 2 contracts in the NHL. So I'm not sure what rule gets applied to him.
- benderboots

Anyway you look at it, the whole situation is kind of a mess and through no fault of the Preds. Thus, forcing him to go through waivers is bs.

If for some odd reason he is forced to go through waivers if he returns this year, can the Preds decline and wait for the summer to bring him back. B/c if not then the Predators get royally shafted.