Locked-out NHL stars begin to explore options

NEW YORK — With the doors locked shut at National Hockey League arenas, the best hockey players on the planet are turning their focus to a new world of opportunities.

Plan B: NHL MVP Evgeni Malkin will play in the Russia-based KHL for the duration of the NHL lockout. AP

Every player on an 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 Russia-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, which announced his signing along with that of Ottawa Senators defenceman Sergei Gonchar on Sunday, 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 percent of what they were due to earn in North America this season.

For the 20 teams based in Russia, only one of the 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."

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 deals, but much more complicated for a player like Crosby, who has a concussion history and is owed nearly $112 million over the next 13 seasons.

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.

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."

View the original article here

Understanding Your Internet Sports Betting Options

Iwakuma, Chen intriguing options for major league clubs

Yu Darvish and Tsuyoshi Wada have been spoken for, but there are still two high-profile NPB pitchers looking to make the jump to the majors next season.

With the majority of the baseball world caught up in the hoopla surrounding Darvish's posting, and the record $51.7 million fee the Texas Rangers doled out for his rights, there hasn't been too much attention paid to Hisashi Iwakuma and Chen Wei-yin this winter.

Both probably expected to be in MLB last season, but had to stay in Japan a little longer. Now the duo, who also both dealt with injuries in 2011, are ready to make the jump for real this time.

Iwakuma will make the moveafter a near-brush with the majors following the 2010 season.

The right-hander was posted by the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles last year, but failed negotiations with the Oakland A's, the highest bidder, meant he had to spend one more summer in Sendai.

Iwakuma got off to a good start, going 8? innings to score an emotional Opening Day victory for a team and fan base still reeling from the earthquake and tsunami that battered the Tohoku region on March 11.

But later, he was hampered by shoulder problems and made just 17 starts, going 6-7 with a 2.42 ERA in 119 innings.

"Iwakuma can be very effective, if his shoulder is in fact healthy," said an AL scout.

The shoulder cost him a few km on his fastball, but he approached his normal production toward the end of the year. Iwakuma also has a good slider to lean on and can keep the ball on the ground (42.7 career ground ball percentage).

"A doctor, or doctors, cleared him with a clean bill of health, but my eyes tell me differently," the scout said. "Some team will pay a couple million to find out, and could be rewarded handsomely with broken bats and weak ground balls to the opposite side of the infield all season long."

Chen is a bit of a mystery.

The Taiwanese lefty has been among the best pitchers in the Central League since 2009, when he posted the lowest ERA (1.54) in the CL since 1968.

At 26 years old, he's still slightly unpolished, with his future potential a major selling point for some MLB observers.

"His ceiling looks lower than most thought just a few seasons ago, yet I'm hearing that 12 teams are interested," said the MLB scout. "His control is excellent, but his command is not. Strikes at the letters over the fat part of the plate are going to travel much farther in the big leagues."

Chen is 36-30, with one save, a 2.59 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in five seasons with the Chunichi Dragons.

He's been helped to an extent by playing home games at pitcher-friendly Nagoya Dome where, since 2008, he's 18-7 with a 1.97 ERA in 51 games versus 18-23, 2.84 in 64 outings everywhere else.

Chen made his first start of 2011 on May 6, after struggling with a left adductor injury in the spring. His performance suffered early in the season, but he regained most of his velocity and some command of his slider as the year progressed.

"Usually a team doesn't have to pay what Chen and his agent may be asking for to find out if a 26-year-old can improve his command and stay healthy," the scout said.

"The fact that he already bridged the gap between Taiwan and Japan very well works in his favor; he is diligent and driven. He could be a great guy to have in the pen."

View the original article here