Filatov is coming to Columbus, but not without a fight from the Continental Hockey League

From Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch:

On Wednesday, Alexander Medvedev, president of Russia's new Continental Hockey League, said he expects the Blue Jackets to compensate Filatov's Russian club, CSKA Moscow, at least $500,000 in each season for Filatov's rights. The Jackets and the NHL vehemently disagree with Medvedev's stance.

"It is the league's position that the Blue Jackets have no obligation to pay any fee whatsoever, regardless of where Mr. Filatov plays next year," said Bill Daly, deputy commissioner of the NHL.

Read the entire article here.

I don't think the Jackets will have to pay any compensation to the Continental League for bringing over Filatov. However, it is obvious that the league's president, Alexander Medvedev, is going to make the process as difficult as possible.

Emery didn't have many bites from NHL teams

From Don Campbell of the Ottawa Citizen:

J.P. Barry, Emery's agent, admitted yesterday his client drew little interest from other NHL teams after the Senators cut ties with the player. Barry said the new Continental league is the best option for Emery to help resurrect what had been a promising, lucrative NHL career after helping the Senators to the Stanley Cup final in 2006-07.

Read the entire story here.

This news doesn't overly surprise me and exhibits just how badly Emery needs to re-establish himself. Going overseas is a good decision on Emery's part, as he can get away from all the media attention and just play hockey.

Will goalies begin to head overseas?

From Kevin Allen of USA Today:

My prediction is that this league will have superior goalkeeping. There are only 30 starting goalie spots in the NHL, and there are more than 30 quality goalies in the world.

Rather than take backup money in the NHL, a talented goalie may seek his fame and fortune in the Continental League. Four goalies are already doing that, and more are sure to follow. Can't you see Nikolai Khabibulin over there in 2009-10? I'm guessing teams in that league will pay him more than NHL teams will after his struggles in Chicago.

Read Allen's entire post from Mucking and Grinding here.

Very interesting observation from Allen; his points are extremely valid. There are many very good netminders playing back up roles in the NHL and they may move overseas to make more money and get more ice-time. That said, I don't see any top of the line netminders opting out of the NHL.

Players aren't flocking to Russia

From Eric Duhatschek of the Globe & Mail:

The Pittsburgh Penguins' Evgeni Malkin isn't the only high-profile Russian who wants to stay and play in the NHL, even if it means leaving a lot of cash on the table. That became clear again last weekend at the NHL entry draft when the two Russian players chosen in the first round – Nikita Filatov, by the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Viktor Tikhonov, by the Phoenix Coyotes – were both adamant that their first choice was to play in the NHL, not in Russia.

Read the entire article here.

Until the Continental Hockey League actually signs somebody of consequence, the rumors of its threat to the NHL are hard to take overly seriously.