With the doors locked shut at NHL arenas, the best hockey players
on the planet are turning their focus to a new world of
opportunities.
   
Every player on a NHL roster as of Sunday morning became free to
seek other work for the duration of the lockout, and many started
doing so immediately. The Russian-based KHL is expected to lure some
of the NHL's biggest names and teams from Switzerland, Finland,
Sweden, Germany and the Czech Republic will come calling as well.
   
Depending on the length of the lockout, it could result in a
massive displacement of players throughout the hockey world.
   
``The scary part is I think you'll see some of the best players
in the game (going over),'' said Calgary Flames forward Mike
Cammalleri. ``Let's hope they come back when they're going to get
paid the dollars they're going to get paid in some of these leagues
to go play now.''
   
Nearly 400 NHL players suited up in 19 different European leagues
during the lockout that cancelled the entire 2004-05 season. It was
a migration that came with a fair bit of controversy as the NHLers
pushed others out of jobs.
   
The debate around that topic has already restarted again, but
it's unlikely to deter many of the 750 locked-out members of the NHL
Players' Association.
   
``I'm a hockey player and it's a competitive business,'' said
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby. ``Would I look forward to
that opportunity of taking someone's job? No. But at the end of the
day I'm a hockey player.''
   
If the NHL's most recognizable player ends up signing in Europe
at some point, he's most likely to head to Russia or Switzerland.
Penguins teammate Evgeni Malkin is committed to his hometown team in
Magnitogorsk and he's already believed to have started lobbying No.
87 to join him.
   
The KHL has established guidelines for its teams to follow during
the lockout. Each is permitted to sign a maximum of three NHLers for
a salary worth no more than 65 per cent of what they were due to
earn in North America this season.
   
For the 20 teams based in Russia, only one of three spots can be
used on a foreigner, and that person must have played at least 150
NHL games over the past three seasons, suited up recently for his
national team or won the Stanley Cup or a major individual award.
The six located outside the Russian border can sign players who
don't meet any of those criteria.
   
Now in its fifth season, the KHL believes it is in a position to
capitalize on the availability of so many elite players.
   
``Mainly I think it's going to be a lot of additional marketing
potential for the league and hockey itself as a game,'' KHL
vice-president Ilya Kochevrin said recently. ``The stars bring
additional attention ... to a lot of people who probably don't
consider hockey the sport of choice.
   
``I think as a marketing tool it's a great opportunity.''
   
There has been some debate in Swedish hockey circles about how
best to approach the lockout. The top division, known as Elitserien,
has said all players must sign a contract for the entire season _
not one that would terminate if the NHL reaches a deal in collective
bargaining.
   
However, the second-tier Allsvenskan is willing to take on NHLers
and currently includes past Swedish champions Djurgarden, Leksand
and Malmo. Some believe the Elitserien will reconsider its policy
when lower-division teams seeking promotion start bringing in
reinforcements.
   
Swedish teams are restricted to having just two players born
outside of Europe on their rosters.
   
Contract offers will also arrive from less traditional hockey
countries as well. Teams in Italy, Austria, Great Britain and Norway
were among those to sign NHLers during the last lockout.
   
The biggest issue for players is making sure that they're
properly insured in case of injury _ a relatively straightforward
process for those who are healthy and on short-term details, but
much more complicated for a player like Crosby, who has a concussion
history and is owed nearly US$112 million over the next 13 seasons.
   
European teams will pick up the tab for a player's insurance
premium, which one agent estimated will range between $2,500 and
$20,000 per month.
   
The topic of playing in Europe was covered during a union meeting
of more than 275 NHL players in New York last week. The NHLPA
advised on situations players will want to avoid and stressed the
importance of following all the proper steps.
   
``We asked a lot of questions,'' said New York Islanders forward
John Tavares, one of those ready to closely examine his options.
   
In recent weeks, the prospect of playing abroad became a popular
topic of discussion among players.
   
``A lot of guys went over last time and played and enjoyed it,''
said Ottawa Senators forward Jason Spezza. ``And I think that
message has kind of trickled down.''
   
It remains to be seen how warmly the KHL will be received by NHL
stars. Cammalleri called it a ``no-brainer'' for Europeans, in
particular, to sign contracts in Russia and believes some players
will consider staying in that league even after the NHL is back in
business.
   
``You can go over there and make millions and millions and
millions of dollars to play hockey,'' said Cammalleri.

(The Canadian Press)