The Caps seem to enjoy a cordial relationship with KHL and other Russian decision-makers. (They were recently able to extricate Mirosnichenko from his KHL contract.) Even Pronman and Wheeler in their draft preview have Michkov falling to the Capitals at No. 8.
- Sinisalo4vr

Expect Ovechkin in a political role after he retires. Wouldn't be surprised one bit if he is one step below Putin.

At least they aren’t the 76ers who don’t have a SINGLE draft pick in the 2023 draft. It could definitely be worse
- funmaster18

Hold my beer….. the Timberwolves trade for Rudy Gobert.

Expect Ovechkin in a political role after he retires. Wouldn't be surprised one bit if he is one step below Putin.
- Glak18

Maybe a slight exaggeration but on the other hand Ovi's never really tried to distance himself from the current regime. Wonder how many Russian born players will refrain from visiting home this offseason.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/flyers-daily-with-jason-myrtetus/id1496181176?i=1000614546872

Also:

- Danny thinks Hilferty's awesome,
- Danny thinks Jonesy is awesome,
- Danny think analytics are a "big part" of the puzzle, will try to get the assistant coaches to incorporate data more (sounds like Torts is a no-go),
- Danny thinks Cutter looks great at the WC but doesn't want to rush him.
- Tomahawk

Smart move

Maybe a slight exaggeration but on the other hand Ovi's never really tried to distance himself from the current regime. Wonder how many Russian born players will refrain from visiting home this offseason.
- Sinisalo4vr

I see Ovechkin in a political role, that high up is a bit exaggerated, but if he breaks Gretzky's goal record he will go from legend to god in Russia. Could he win an election?

Maybe a slight exaggeration but on the other hand Ovi's never really tried to distance himself from the current regime. Wonder how many Russian born players will refrain from visiting home this offseason.
- Sinisalo4vr

OV has a direct line to Putin and campaigned to re-elect him. They're allies, probably even friends:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/w...-ovechkin-putin-1.6726430

Putin knows how valuable OV (and hockey in general) is for the Russian propaganda effort... and OV knows that after he retires being a member of the kleptocracy will turn his millions into billions.

I see Ovechkin in a political role, that high up is a bit exaggerated, but if he breaks Gretzky's goal record he will go from legend to god in Russia. Could he win an election?
- Glak18

I have nothing against Ovi, those old espn commercials were hilarious. I just really hope he doesn’t reach Gretzky’s Goal record. He probably could win an election.

OV has a direct line to Putin and campaigned to re-elect him. They're allies, probably even friends:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/w...-ovechkin-putin-1.6726430

Putin knows how valuable OV (and hockey in general) is for the Russian propaganda effort... and OV knows that after he retires being a member of the kleptocracy will turn his millions into billions.
- Tomahawk

You are absolutely correct regarding his ties; I really wanted to soft-pedal his position. It does make one wonder if there is an unspoken understanding that NHL teams other than the Caps will not target Michkov. Seeing the Pronman/Wheeler article confirmed my suspicions.

You are absolutely correct regarding his ties; I really wanted to soft-pedal his position. It does make one wonder if there is an unspoken understanding that NHL teams other than the Caps will not target Michkov. Seeing the Pronman/Wheeler article confirmed my suspicions.
- Sinisalo4vr

Absolutely see this as truth. Caps will be able to get michkov, while fedotov is arrested and sent to the front lines in Ukraine. It still doesn’t sit well with me that no one called ov out for not condemning Russias war.

You are absolutely correct regarding his ties; I really wanted to soft-pedal his position. It does make one wonder if there is an unspoken understanding that NHL teams other than the Caps will not target Michkov. Seeing the Pronman/Wheeler article confirmed my suspicions.
- Sinisalo4vr

That would be unbelievable and collusion to the highest degree.

Absolutely see this as truth. Caps will be able to get michkov, while fedotov is arrested and sent to the front lines in Ukraine. It still doesn’t sit well with me that no one called ov out for not condemning Russias war.
- Hextall271

I agree.

But as a Canadian person, do you believe he should have been suspended or punished like that article suggested?

OV has a direct line to Putin and campaigned to re-elect him. They're allies, probably even friends:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/w...-ovechkin-putin-1.6726430

Putin knows how valuable OV (and hockey in general) is for the Russian propaganda effort... and OV knows that after he retires being a member of the kleptocracy will turn his millions into billions.
- Tomahawk

That article was enlightening. Much I was not aware of.

That would be unbelievable and collusion to the highest degree.
- MBFlyerfan

And what will the league do?

That would be unbelievable and collusion to the highest degree.
- MBFlyerfan

I always thought the Caps rebranded red/white/blue looked more Russian Federation than USA... like the Haas Uralkali F1 livery.

And what will the league do?
- Sinisalo4vr

The same thing the NBA would do with China....

That article was enlightening. Much I was not aware of.
- MJL

Being serious, you didn't know about the strong ties between AO and Putin?

Most of the article is mostly about whether the NHL should ban Russian players from playing, which I personally think is stupid. Do companies across America fire Russian employees too because they are Russian? I agree with International sanctions, but banning players from the NHL is just a petty move that accomplishes nothing.

And what will the league do?
- Sinisalo4vr

A better question is, what would the other teams do? I have a LOT of trouble believing that all the owners would just be happy to "gift" a prospect that would be a #1 pick in many drafts to the Capitals just because he is Russian.

A better question is, what would the other teams do? I have a LOT of trouble believing that all the owners would just be happy to "gift" a prospect that would be a #1 pick in many drafts to the Capitals just because he is Russian.
- MBFlyerfan

Well Bettman, the winner of a lifetime achievement award for "Sometimes being bad at business is good for business", would just promise future 1st round picks to some teams.

Just what we need, another RW to add to the collection.

Atkinson
Konency
Tippett
Allison
Foerster
Brink
- Feanor

Exactly. He's hitting the pipe early today

Exactly. He's hitting the pipe early today
- Bob Habib

To be fair isn't that what the Flyers are missing...another winger playing out of position who may or may not bring scoring? Maybe the Flyers can play a new system, the right wing trap...overload the side and keep the rest of the ice empty. We do it on defense, why not forward too.

Briere: We will pick the BPA at #7.

He doesn't think Michkov will be there at #7 but he is not deterred by the political situation.

My take is that if Michkov is there he will pick him as the BPA.
- MBFlyerfan

You are thinking of BPA as BPa. But in that case, it might be bpA.

But none of them have been in charge of anything on the flyers. I just think it’s shortsighted to think it’s the analytics department fault and not those “country club” alumni and leadership teams. I think all is possible.
- funmaster18

of course there is another part to this, they listen but believe they can fix/coach that part of the game, not that ego would ever be a thing with these guys.

I wouldn't. But I can certainly understand why others would.
- bmeltzer

I absolutely would take the chance. Mikov NOT playing is still more exciting than anything the Flyers could roll out on the ice. They have to take the chance, and it is their own fault they are in the position they are in.

I absolutely would take the chance. Mikov NOT playing is still more exciting than anything the Flyers could roll out on the ice. They have to take the chance, and it is their own fault they are in the position they are in.
- mr4tno

I can see it now. The Flyers draft this guy with the 7th pick in the draft and he never sets foot on North American soil, and all the people pleading to take him with this pick complain that they took him with that #7 pick. Can't make this stuff up!

I can see it now. The Flyers draft this guy with the 7th pick in the draft and he never sets foot on North American soil, and all the people pleading to take him with this pick complain that they took him with that #7 pick. Can't make this stuff up!

- Phillywhiteout

Russians don’t seem to work out great on the Flyers. I’d stick with guys from Minnesota.