The KHL Is A Mess

Over the last few days, some pretty serious stuff has been taking place between Russia and the Ukraine, and whilst these events don't directly effect the Kontinental Hockey league, to say that the league has taken a turn for the worse would be the understatement of the year! Whether it's fans protesting against their own team, sponsors severing ties with certain organisations or a pair of franchises withdrawing from the league completely, the last few days have been one hell of a rollercoaster ride for the predominately-Russian league!
So what's going on in the KHL? Why has there been so much upheaval, and how will it effect the league moving forward? Well let's take a look at the most notable events of the last week and try to find out!
So in today's video, join me as we explore why the Kontinental Hockey League is an absolute mess!
#KHL #KontinentalHockeyLeague #Jokerit #Sports #Hockey #IceHockey #DinamoRiga #Finland #Lativa #Russia #Ukraine #Story #Drama
Become a Patron here: / oddmanrush
Twitter: / oddmanrushyt
Please feel free to like, subscribe share or watch some of my other videos and thank you very much for watching!

[@Mickelraven]

As a fan of Jokerit's former Liiga rival team HIFK, I have to say that Jokerit joining the KHL is the biggest mistake they ever made. Even I wanted them to leave the KHL and rejoin Liiga, despite being a fan of their most rival team. Because I miss the brutal rivalry these two teams had when Jokerit still was in Liiga. HIFK vs Jokerit games were the best and most fun games to watch in Liiga.

[@Lindeseina]

Amen, it would be a lottery win for liiga to get jokerit back

[@jeremyroenick2202]

HIFK was lucky enough to get peomoted to the Football League at the same time as Jokerit left for Russia, because now they have a even more heated derby

[@Tedger]

I kinda lost the intrest in the league when we lost our local opponent..

[@jugaloking69dope58]

its a cool jersey love from canada

[@SportsFan-vq9kk]

@@Lindeseina You now would need to get rid of KooKoo And Jukerit

[@zaapumastyck9948]

I think dinamo riga is gonna join the austrian league ICEHL bc they aldredy have a czech team, slovenian team, slovakian team, hungarian team and 2 italian teams. And jokerit will go back to ligga

[@itcu185]

they should join Jokerit in the LIIGA

[@zaapumastyck9948]

@@itcu185 ligga is an only finnish league tho

[@itcu185]

@@zaapumastyck9948 Finland must step up and find a way

[@hempoki]

Dinamo Riga isn't going to join anything. It was created to play in KHL, with wast majority of its budget money coming from Russia. Some say, and I tend to agree, it's Russia's soft power project. Why I agree? Because it doesn't earn money, so it isn't business project. So why else would Russia dump money into foreign club? Charity? I don't think so. So I predict club would just dissolve.

[@johnnyedelhoff5866]

Latvia is too far away. Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary, The Czech Republic and Italy all share borders with Austria. There are 1,350 kilometers or 838 miles between Riga and Vienna

[@notqut7321]

As a Finnish hockey fan I think Jokerit should do similar rebuild as Kiekko-Espoo and bankrupt the KHL company (Jokerit Hockey Oy), start a new company with the foundation (Helsingin Jokerit ry. which owns the name/logo and junior development) in charge, begin playing in Suomi-Sarja or Mestis and slowly build back their image, organization and credibility. With 2 former Liiga teams from the capital region (Kiekko-Espoo and Jokerit) being in lower leagues this would put immense pressure on Liiga to bring back promotion-relegation which would hugely benefit ice hockey in general in Finland. While it'd be much smaller scale for the first few years, in the long run this would imho be the best solution, not just for Jokerit, but Finnish hockey as whole. This coming from lifelong Espoo hockey fan who has gone trough 2 team bankruptcies, but has very bright outlook for the future of the team. EDIT: Typos/formatting

[@KalmoK]

Umm, why should they bankrupt themselves when they could just leave KHL, plus I am quite sure Liiga would let them come back...?

[@notqut7321]

@@KalmoK The company does not own the brand, it "rents" it from the foundation. The company is also controlled by another company that is owned by russian oligarchs. Jari Kurri is the owner only on paper even tho technically he owns majority of the shares. They do not have an arena they can play in (soon to be ex-Hartwall Arena is owned by russian oligarchs). They do not have nearly any players left. The one thing they do have is a massive amounts of debt, the team was never profitable (in fact it made massive losses) in the KHL and was only kept alive by money from russia. One doesn't simply enter Liiga, you need to fulfill many requirements such as arena, junior/youth organization, viable finances and competetive team - none of which they have. In addition they would need to purchase the Liiga license which is roughly somewhere around 2 million euros. They would need to achieve all the previously mentioned things in less than 4 months to be able to compete in Liiga next season which is a tall order. While Liiga would absolutely be happy to see the "Jokerit of old" back in the show (the love-hate relationship with other teams) that organization simply does not exist anymore. On top of all this there's the tarnished reputation of the team and Kurri, so yeah I really do believe they need to start fresh and work their way back up. The current organization simply wouldn't be able to secure any sponsors and would struggle to get any spectators unless it was completely cleared from any russian influences which could prove to be near impossible. EDIT: Wording/typos and minor details added

[@KalmoK]

@@notqut7321 I didn't know that because in our news they said Kurri is gonna buy the whole thing, should've known there was a catch... That's just so sad, then I really hope they will do that

[@barulininkeskisormi3566]

@@notqut7321 as a Jokerit fan, I can agree with this. While I would love us to return straight to Liiga next season it is very unlikely and a complete ”rebuild” of the organization is needed

[@riso-1919]

Yea sounds smart, I think they should go to Mestis bc imagine this game S-kiekko:Jokerit, or Titaanit:Jokerit Mestis seems like a better option

[@KalmoK]

Funny how Jokerit have been the favorite to win the whole thing for atleast two years but haven't been able to play because of the pandemic and now they left because of the war.. They should just leave KHL tbh, I'm quite sure Liiga would be glad to take them back.

[@rafaelandre7326]

2:58 Jokerit did make it to Round 2 also in 2014-15 (lost to CSKA 1-4) and 2017-18 (lost to CSKA 2-4).

[@kheldaur2107]

Since KHL is a Russian league, there is no way that Jokerit could'v ever won the Cup. The Russians would never allow that to happen

[@rafaelandre7326]

Very true. But they had a good team this season, they could’ve reached the conference finals.

[@WarioSaysSo]

I really look forward for the "Triple Gold Club" video :-D The most prestigue achivement any hockey player can achive !!! 1x Stanley Cup - 1x Olympic Gold - 1x IIHF World Championship Gold.

[@WarioSaysSo]

15:05 - Well, that would be like the NHL. Its called "National Hockey League" despite being a league that plays both in the USA but also Canada AND have a lot of nationality diversity in it (Canadians, Americans, Russians, Swedes Finns, Germans, Czechs, Slovaks, Dens, Swiz, Ukraines, Belarusians, Norwainians etc). So NHL should be "IHL" - International Hockey League more fitting. So I don't see any needs to change name for KHL then. Its a name and marketing brand.

[@ariccua6101]

Can I add? Though not hockey-related, Russia is already not allowed to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest this May in Italy and as a result, Russia pulled its two major TV channels from the European Broadcasting Union (I'm not sure if hockey is being broadcast in those two channels, but I know Russia has sports channels).

[@mikahamari6420]

In Finland it is decided that KHL is not shown anymore in channel that used to show it. Finnish voluntary hockey site announced that it doesn't write articles about KHL matches anymore.

[@ariccua6101]

@@mikahamari6420 Jokerit is so pulling out.

[@mikahamari6420]

@@ariccua6101 Yes, the sanctions cut the ties in KHL.

[@anarx1830]

Also uefa and fifa banned Russian national team and clubs

[@mikahamari6420]

@@anarx1830 Yes, eventually. Corruption rottens in deep these organizations.

[@1andonlyMiro]

Jokerit are obviously trying to get out of the KHL but with the Russian part owners and sponsors it is difficult. Atm political tensions are extremely tight between not just Ukraine and Russia, but between Finland and Russia again. I see no way of the KHL making a huge splash in the hockey world before Putin is replaced in the lead of the nation.

[@deathtoluke]

I love the KHL but i think it's time to make a Euro league. Dynamo Riga, Jokerit, Slovan, Copenhagen, London, Oslo/Stavenger etc

[@FreddieBear1]

Interesting idea. However I think CHL is more than enough. I would let Riga maybe play in ICE Hockey Liga (Austria), or they should play in the Latvian league. Jokerit should return to SM-Liiga in Finland. Norway, Denmark and Slovakia should also focus on their own leagues. They all have potensial to improve. London is irrelevant, unless they make a team and promotes to the EIHL. The EIHL in the UK is actually decent. Also interesting that they have no team from London.

[@deathtoluke]

@@FreddieBear1 CHL is a champions relies on a national league. Dynamo Riga doesn't have strong home league to work with. Same goes for in Norway and Denmark. This is why i mention London, it's a hugely untapped hockey market that would benefit more from an international league. I feel like if there is ever a chance for NHL Europe to happen it's now..not saying i think that's the best idea, I just think there are nations that deserve an elite team that don't have a strong league to support it.

[@edwardburek1717]

@@deathtoluke The only way that London will have a hockey team capable of playing in NHL Europe (which is an interesting idea) is that this so-called MSG Sphere thing finally gets built. Till then, the Guildford Flames are the closest thing that's available for long-starved hockey fans in the British capital - I know quite a few of them.

[@ojl5055]

@@deathtoluke I dont think Sweden and Finland would be too interested in that league because they have very strong leagues of their own. Sure Jokerit and maybe few other bigger teams could be interested if it promised them more money but I still have my doubts

[@deathtoluke]

@@ojl5055 I didn't mention Sweden..I wouldn't even mention Finland if not for Jokerit. As you assert they have strong home leagues as it is. That said I do think a pan Nordic league is a lost opportunity, let alone some kind of Pan Europe league. I don't expect the former to happen, and I can only wish for the latter to fill the void that the KHL is leaving on global hockey

[@jackmakackov7077]

Its not going to be a big financial hit. The rubel is worth one American cent now

[@kranibal]

A very interesting video. Many thanks! On point my friend.

[@1andonlyMiro]

Jokerit has also been a target of heavy critisism by the KHL because they've missed games because of Covid cases within their player base. KHL has been very vocal about Jokerit "skipping games without the permissiom of the league" whereas Jokerit organisation obviously has been thinking about players' health.

[@tonybaloney7403]

Players health about a man made virus with a 99.9% recovery rate overall and a 100% rate for pro athletes? Get bent sheepie

[@ojl5055]

@@tonybaloney7403 Do you think "man made virus" makes it less bad? If covid truly is man made it is way more scary than a natural virus

[@jonaskesti]

Heard from a podcast today that if the players leave mid contract they need to pay back 60% of the salary.

[@stwinkkzz40]

Which is close to nothing now as I suppose they're paid in rubel? I think (and hope) most foreign players in KHL have their cash in other currencies than rubel.

[@jonaskesti]

@@stwinkkzz40 at least my friends have had The contracts in $ but still pay Back 60% of 95% of The season

[@stwinkkzz40]

@@jonaskesti i mean, shouldn’t he just be able to buy rubel and then pay it back? He can be held responsible for russia fucking its own economy.

[@jonaskesti]

@@stwinkkzz40 The players also other than Finn are discussing it whit they agents. I would like to have all the players from from countries aboard to leave, but they need to make money. A couple of weeks then they are free to leave

[@lordrayden3045]

Just leave…… What are they going to do?

[@esstee9595]

The NHL has its own joker team that can't make it out of the first round: The Toronto Maple Leafs. lol...

[@goombacraft]

Jokerit leaving is the only real problem. Who gives a shit about Riga?

[@aplman7099]

Ok like half of this video i was distracted trying to find a place to buy a jokerit jersey, but the second half was good

[@SexGiantStudio]

I am finn and I am to sad about situatuion. And I'm sick because I can not watch Jokerit in KHL

[@omerta316]

I've been watching KHL without understanding a word

[@lordrayden3045]

How is it?

[@pennsylvanianrrfoamer]

I don't think Jokerit Helsinki will be returning to the KHL...SM-Liiga will take back Jokerit Helsinki in a heartbeat.

[@scottmcmulkin1056]

I wouldn’t be surprised if The CHL (Europe not NA) sort of rebrands into a European Super League especially since Riga and Jokerit are gonna have massive fallout and it could be a great way to generate revenue and entice players from N/A to come over

[@CanMav]

I would honestly love to see a European Super League

[@hugh2hoob668]

Rybar needs to make an NHL debut

[@chelseafcfanisy]

There is no way Russian sports leagues can survive with all of this going on in the future.

[@bluejaysfan965]

Canadian Football league does just fine in Canada. And it is the second biggest football league in the world behind the NFL.

[@mikahamari6420]

@@bluejaysfan965 KHL wouldn't have any problem to play league with teams from one country, it would be normal situation in Europe. But these economical sanctions and boycotts will be a problem. If the sanctions bite the oligarchs as they should, the players from other countries leave, as they should leave in any case for solidarity to Ukraine. Player salaries will be a big problem and Russian players can't move abroad to play.

[@chelseafcfanisy]

@@bluejaysfan965 Irrelevant?

[@bluejaysfan965]

@@chelseafcfanisy how so?

[@lordrayden3045]

@@bluejaysfan965 Yes….. buts it’s also on ESPN, and gets viewers outside the country Also, CFL isn’t a huge league

[@bingo5694]

Russia can use the same international body of law enforcement to sue Jokerit that Ukraine will use to seek resolution of Russia's war crimes.

[@mairisfalkons8923]

Not suposedly! Part of Ukrain's invasion came from Belarus border plus there have been launched several ballistic missiles from Belarus to Ukrain.

[@mikahamari6420]

Even if Lukashenko is Putin's puppet, also he is guilty of crime against Ukrainian people. That's why Belarus has to get same sanctions as Russia. They are not directed against people and athletes, but against dictators. Everybody suffers because of them.

[@heatg4ming]

Joining Khl was best what happend to the Jokers

[@thedarkhorse100]

How about regular business people who have contracts or jobs, should they give up their livelihoods because of this also ?. Your asking these players to quit their jobs and be unemployed

[@independentmind7782]

No one is forcing anyone to do anything, let alone quit their jobs. Stop.

[@thedarkhorse100]

@@independentmind7782 the entire story was about the players of other countries quitting the league,or was I confused with the show on Polar Bears I’d seen before this. If the league dissolves these guys are in the bread line mate

[@independentmind7782]

@@thedarkhorse100 again, no one is “forcing” any of the players to quit. *No one.* Players are 100% free to decide whether they want to stay and keep playing, or if they’d rather end their contract / stop playing and return home. No one is forcing anyone to do anything, let alone quit their jobs. Stop.

[@gbalph4]

Most likely the remaining countries will stay. Could see CSTO countries and Mongolia join as replacements.

[@gbalph4]

@Tearjerker then again if China got in, what stops Mongolia?

[@anarx1830]

Ulaanbaatar could be decent expansion for Khl

[@stevenwilgus5422]

As an American Ice hockey fan, I wish to congratulate Finland on winning Gold this year. Well Done.

[@jpgcne]

I think you should have waited a couple more days. And this video would have more and more reasons for sure

[@Kdn_cs]

9:50 maybe I’m missing the point but it sounds like a jab at the Russian government for inadvertently screwing over a sports league

[@apogeedata]

Well we could pretty much confirm that Belarus will not be leaving since they are threatening to invade Ukraine also and we know China is not gonna leave

[@ivaneurope]

The KHL IMO will most likely add new teams to replace Jokerit and Dinamo Riga from either the VHL (the lower tier) or create new ones from scratch. Given the fact that the VHL also has teams from China and Kazakhstan, while also having a team in Uzbekistan, the KHL will look at these teams for potential KHL expansion. And considering that the KHL has interest in further expanding into the Chinese market, adding more teams there will solidify their position. But even if they choose to continue with the 22 remaining teams, another issue will arise as both teams that withdrew are part of the Western Conference, meaning that a division and conference relignment will have to be made. Speaking of the IIHF - both Russia (which was due to compete as ROC as a result of the ban by WADA) and Belarus were expelled from the IIHF World Championships (senior and junior) and Russia was stripped from their 2023 hosting rights. And given that the KHL is a primairly Russian league, this could mean that foreign KHL players may not be allowed to compete in the World Championships by either the IIHF or the Russian Hockey Federation. This will have a knock-on effect on teams heavilly relying on KHL players with Kazakhstan would be hit the most as their roster consists of players from either the KHL or VHL. And it's unlikely that the NHL will budge and allow NHL players to participate either. And now that I've mentioned the NHL - what will happen to the NHL'ers from Russia now that the IOC has recommended a ban on athletes from Russia and Belarus?

[@Jaip_l]

fastest sweep ever

[@lilbiggs4661]

This is a legendary vid. I love your vids.

[@christopherkaas6470]

My analysis over the situation Team wise: I think the Belarussian and Kazakhstani teams will remain the russian league as they have strong relations with Russia, The Chinese team will likely stay as well but I'm not entirely sure as the Chinese state wish to have good relationships with the west as well and that would likely spill out on the Hockey team. I can almost guarantee that Jokerit will return to the finnish league next season. They may be the most popular team in Finland but they definitely have competition, especially with HIFK. Before they joined KHL Jokerit won the championship since 2001, in other words they had a 12 years drought but due to their time in KHL they would likely be way economically stronger than the other teams and therefore more competitive. The war will likely affect future relations with Russia so rejoining the SM-liiga is a permanent change. Dinamo Riga however has a very unpredictable future as 1. They was created as an KHL team, 2. the Latvian league is way too weak to have a team as big as Dinamo Riga. Don't forget that the population is less than 2 million and almost half of the population is based in the capital. Latvia as a country will also be more hostile to Russia so rejoining the KHL is not likely, therefore said not impossible due to the weak national market. I can see four scenarios 1. As i mentioned perhaps rejoining KHL in the future, it's not likely though and would meet massive critique by the Latvian citizens. 2. As a result major cities in Europe with a small market unites and creates a new international hockey league, i also don't find it likely though. 3. They come to an agreement with the finnish league and join them. Finland and Latvia is geographically close to each and has good relations. They also have the same currency and Riga is a tourist destination for Finns. I also think DInamo Riga is economically robust enough to compete with the finnish teams. Alternative they join another European league like the croatian team did. If the team seeks to exist in the future i think this is the most likely outcome. 4. The team dissolves. If the team don't come to an agreement with other actors they have no choice the cease all operations. This is also a likely scenario. Player wise: All European and North American Players would likely join other teams and the team will be dominated by Russian, Chinese, Kakzakhstani and Belarussian players. I don't think the few chinese players that exists in the KHL would be affected by the war in the same degree the hockey team would. Russian and Belarussian hockey players in the European leagues would likely flew back to Russia due to the sanctions, The players in the North American league has a somewhat better situation as long as they don't show support for the Putin Government. The Kazakhstani players however would likely not be affected as the government is not active in Ukraine (At least for now). In the future however the players would likely be able to join other European teams when the conflict has cool down. As a conclusion i think this affects the teams way more than the players.

[@Katt1n]

Liiga and SHL is gonna be stacked with talent next season. Can't wait.

[@Gopherzooka]

I think if the dictator of belarus comes out on national tepevision and declares they are joining the war its more than "supossed"

[@269productions]

China will scoop up a couple more franchises next season 😂

[@thomasbrown9402]

So THAT'S where the Buffaslug went!

[@BeastOfMetal1989]

If "offering to support the Russian invasion" = allowing Russian troops to enter their country and stage along their border with Ukraine late in the buildup, then Belarus definitely offered their support, alright...

[@cowscrazy]

Jokerit should never have left the Finnish league in the first place....

[@darrellmackinnon1667]

*Unpopular opinion. China possibly opens its variation of the KHL, and invites various well-known European country/teams, to migrate, to their league. China definitely would benefit from the skills, inbound, and financially would benefit from the media, marketing. I think it personally could happen.*

[@darrellmackinnon1667]

@Tearjerker Yes...and The KHL, had Kunlun, which was a team based out of China. Do yourself a favor, and get educated, before commenting.

[@mikahamari6420]

It could happen, but I think that the probability is very low until China has own hockey culture. The big leagues normally develop from root level, with own juniors and fan base. I think that MLS in soccer started with bringing retiring superstars, but they were cherry on the tip of the cake. Buying ready made league with huge money would be an anomaly. For example in Finland development took many decades, step by step. My guess is that without natural process it would be like driving with supercar without enough skill. Even one team, Kunlun, hasn't work, but as you said, it is not impossible.

[@darrellmackinnon1667]

@@mikahamari6420 You are actually contradicting, what you said about building up from roots. Thats exactly why the KHL, had expanded to China. An untapped market in many cases, and the KHL is basically guys who are AHL level, but get paid NHL Money. Those that are better then the standard, are in most cases, past prime NHL experienced. With the KHL having issues, many of its Super-Stars, are going to go where money and ice time, can accommodate for success. My big theory is China. My smaller theory, is SWE/SWE-1 has a developmental growth spurt.

[@mikahamari6420]

@@darrellmackinnon1667 I remember in early 90s, when the iron curtain fell, how ridiculously good Czech, Slovakian and Russian players played in Finland and other leagues. I mean, in our second level were players that I considered having prospects in higher level. Now dissolution of KHL would bring somewhat similar effect, but I don't believe that Russian players will be free to go because of sanctions. China could be open door for them, but I hope that also they will work together, because they understand that this war has to be stopped as soon as possible. If China had hockey culture, it would be big chance for international hockey to grow. I don't know, how popular hockey is in China. If they love it, there's no limit.

[@darrellmackinnon1667]

@@mikahamari6420 Yes, and the 90's were also still showing us how poorly indepth scouting development was. North American bound prospects, even amongst like 10/+ round drafts, still dominated most of the selections, and euro players for the most part, were early pick busts, never came over, or over-hyped, bit for money, and bounced back home when payday was up. Fast forward to today, and there are just as many euro prospects drafted, and far more talented scouting analysis options, available for teams, instead of selecting clusters of farm fringe- to be. As with most well-rounded countries, that develop with hockey, eventually they shine. Like the Czech did in the late 90's-early 00's. Finland, mid-late 2010's. Russia, late 00's-early 2010's. I think Sweden will be up next. I am excited for Germany's furthered development. The rest of what you said, you basically just repeated what I had said to you, back to me, in the form of a question. Not really sure what to respond to that, lol.

[@arturstomsons3985]

Soooo back to Russian Superleague? :D

[@Whatisahandlehuh]

I’m general; Russia and their people are a mess. Sports aside …….

[@Whatisahandlehuh]

As long as you are not a minor

[@crossmaster77]

not as much as the brits and the americans

[@Whatisahandlehuh]

@@crossmaster77 … no … much … much worse lol…..

[@viktor2204]

The world championships should be moved. Otherwise we should boycotte

[@FreddieBear1]

I agree. Is the tournament in Russia this year? I thought it was in Finland. Either way I would support to disqualify the Russian team, and send them down to Div 3.

[@mikahamari6420]

@@FreddieBear1 Men's top tier World Championships are this year in Finland. Look 16:35.

[@FreddieBear1]

@@mikahamari6420 Thats what I thought last I checked, not sure why Victor wants to boycott the tournament if it is in Finland. However I would support a boycott if Russia was the host.

[@mikahamari6420]

@@FreddieBear1 Yes, we all want to boycott Putin's Russia.

[@bluejaysfan965]

That'll show em.

[@leafsfan1539]

Krooked hockey league

[@brandonmclean58]

I can't imagine too many non-russian players are going to stick around given that the russian currency is now in the toilet. I assume it will bounce back but that's' a big if and when.

[@JD200_]

I think most have guaranteed contracts paid in USD$

[@milolabrett6549]

I would imagine that all International players and support staff in the KHL are having their monthly salaries wired back to their personal bank accounts outside of Russia. Since all financial institutions in Western World have now cut ties with Russia, they won’t be paid. Entire Teams in KHL may also rely on operation financing from financial institutions outside of Russia. I don’t imagine that even all flights in the KHL are Aeroflot Russian flights. Now that all International Flights have now been canceled to and from Russia, how do KHL International players and support staffs get back home? This pales in comparison of women and children elderly walking over the border from Ukraine. 21st Century Russia, is a Neo Feudal Authoritarian Fascist State and doesn’t belong in any international sporting anything relegating themselves down into oblivion. They can't pass dope tests for Olympics, persona non Grata.

[@hugh2hoob668]

European sports leagues always have to be so confusing

[@ccsteamer]

Остановить незаконную войну в Украине !

[@MooseDuckVlogs]

Jokerit Should Never EVER join the KHL in first place....Having it return back Liiga should be a Priority

[@SportsFan-vq9kk]

This is exactly what I said. Even SHL teams were willing to join the KHL in 2009 but they luckily declined it

[@lahsheine148]

strange video, strange facts... Its a mess

[@siralexis6590]

Its weird finlands biggest ice hockey arena stand blank and empty just a couple of miles away from helsinki centre, all the trademarks and adds r gone from the side of the arena. And this arena has been the main arena of finnish hockey, and nationteams home. But tampere just got almost the same size of arena a couple of months ago, which is beautifull, so it will be the main arena, until hartwall arenas situation is handled. The russians own it, so we will see if anyone is going to buy it.

[@MavericNorthcott]

Are there any Ukrainian born KHL players?

[@FreddieBear1]

According to Eliteprospects: 22 of 26 Ukrainians has played in the KHL. Donbass Donetsk (Ukrainian team) played in the KHL during the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 season. Alexander Materukhin and Alexei Ponikarovsky was the last Ukrainian born players to play in the KHL (2017-2018 season). Alexander Materukhin has played for both Ukraine and Belarus. However Belarus was his last national team before he retired, so not sure if he counts.

[@Mateus_Carvalho]

I imagine they'll keep Minsk for obvious reasons and that Barys and Kunlun will stay put as China did mention they'll retain relations with Russia and Kazakhstan's probably not gonna risk pissing them off. That said, Jokerit going back to the Liiga would be solid.

[@poksi360]

When will Malkin, Oveckin and other ruski players force to leave NHL?

[@edwardburek1717]

I'm quite surprised that Jokerit stuck it out in the KHL for so long, considering that it's effectively a bunch of basket-cases with more money than sense. They've been losing clubs for some years now, even Russian teams like Lada Togliatti, and they are no way near as prestigious as the NHL. No wonder FreeSports dropped the KHL like a brick at the start of the current season. The Jokers should definitely rejoin the Liiga, if only for the reason that it would make it into a 16-team league which would make more sense. And I sense that HIFK fans have been missing their rivalry like mad.

[@barbarian92]

Regarding Lada (and Yugra and Metallurg Novokuznetsk), they dropped down to the VHL due to both budgetary and competitive issues. Kinda hard to break even when you have to fly several hours to get to the nearest team. There’s only so much regional funding can cover, and when you’re clearly out of your depth talent wise, it makes sense to drop down one tier.

[@edwardburek1717]

@@barbarian92 Good point about Lada, and the others dropping down to the VHL - another example is Slovan Bratislava which I forgot to mention. I believe they're now playing in the Austrian ICE League as the iClinic Bratislava Capitals. (And don't you just hate it when you have to refer to teams with the sponsor as part of their name - as I speak as a fan of the Genting Casino Coventry Blaze?)

[@barbarian92]

@@edwardburek1717 Medveščak dropped out because of the expenses (and they outright went bankrupt a few seasons later), so for non-Russian teams, it’s hard. Slovan is back in the Slovak league, and they’ve been doing pretty decent. As for your last part, my EIHL team was formerly known as Intu Braehead Clan, so I get it haha

[@vinniehenzbabayaga]

Я думаю, что политика не должна смешиваться со спортом, просто если Украина находится в состоянии войны, команды переезжают в страны, которые не находятся в состоянии войны, на какое-то время. затем вернуться

[@KrolKaz]

This is so stupid. How awesome would it have been for a Finnish team to win the gagarin up and THEN leave?

[@chinarello2928]

It is no secret that the officiating is biased in KHL. It is propaganda and entertainment for the masses. Jokerit had no chance. The good thing is they got really good playing 4vs5 and that helped Finland win OS. That is closest Jokerit Can get to Gagarin cup.

[@paavohyttinen5814]

I think jokerit join liiga 🤔

[@pauljmorton]

Ukraine. Just Ukraine. Not "the" Ukraine. Just Ukraine.

[@BigKonou]

Kurri does not own 60% I'd be surprised if he actually owns any, just a puppet. I'm sure he's doing pretty well for himself but there's no way he has pockets deep enough to cover Jokerit annual losses.

[@rafaelandre7326]

He does own 60% and Norilsk Nickel Harjavalta (a Russian-Finnish nickel company) owns 40%. All the money does come from Russia though.

[@rinkrat4u]

losing one team means nothing

[@rafaelandre7326]

Jokerit was important for the KHL’s image though as it was the only competitive western team.

[@kylespencer7756]

Jokerit looks like McDonalds.

[@whoismarkk]

many brands use that color scheme because its subconsciously pleasing to the human eye

[@pyryhillosalo]

@Tearjerker Not anymore. Jokerit dropped the blue after the 2018-19 season.

[@SportsFan-vq9kk]

@@pyryhillosalo They may go back to blue when the return to the Liiga

[@pyryhillosalo]

@@SportsFan-vq9kk I would love to see that because the blue jerseys were the best in Liiga.

[@SportsFan-vq9kk]

@@pyryhillosalo Especially the 2010-11 jerseys

[@Meintsy]

God bless Ukraine I really hope putin becomes smart and stops but we can just hope

[@_KroW_]

As a kärpät fan I would love to get jokerit back in liiga so we get more easy wins in playoffs

[@FlyingKipperEh]

IKR, kärpät is such a shit club.

[@adrianwalsh9528]

That's is really sad that the K. H. L. Is having major problems!!! I have never seen one full game yet 😳 I'm really instersted in watching some full game's 😳 😅 I just love watching hockey 🏒 😍 do u have any full games of every team thank u

[@joonaskosonen95]

well that was easy to see because they lost there sponsors and sources of money, banks frozen on the russian side so they couldnt have helped ether. Sadly KHL is run as money laundring operation more then as a sport league in russian

[@Timo8.2.]

It sucks that i don´t have a hockey team anymore because Jokerit is pretty much defunct. Involving politics to sports is ridicolous. Soviet Union wasn´t banned from sports, China hasn´t been banned from sports, they were given two olympic games to host. Syria hasn´t been banned, North Korea hasn´t been banned and i could go on and on.

[@sambo7499]

KHL is finished

[@lordrayden3045]

It will still be around in some form. It may go back to the old RSL, stop expanding / playing outside the country

[@FirstLast-zk5ow]

Why does he assume that hockey fans are stupid? And why is there so much gossiping among sports "analysts"? Seriously... you're talking about hockey and hockey players... You're not talking about the latest in Hollywood gossip... This is so lame :(

[@CanDuNietteR]

hopefully no team wants to play the Russian team..

[@etahhcumosevahi]

Wait… there’s a Chinese team in the KHL? Are you serious? Have they ever won a game? 🤣🤣

[@RoyalMela]

It is basically just a team located there. Very few chinese players, and most of the team are players from Canada and USA.

[@johnhanover2229]

We need to banish the old Soviet names. Dynamo - secret police, SKA - ( invaders ) army, Torpedo - naval shipyards, etc. When Saltpeter The Great, and his girlfriend Bargain Bin Benito of Belarus invaded Ukraine I stopped following the KHL.

[@timw4369]

The khl is dead. If you get paid in US dollars you aren't getting paid. Nobody will play for rubles so say goodbye to the league

[@scottirvine8835]

Still better than the nhl