Volchenkov Signs In Russia [Archive]

Man.Utd

7-29-05, 11:22 AM

Anton Volchenkov could be headed for Russia with gloves this fall.

The Senators defenceman, a restricted free agent, has accepted a one-year, $1.5-million (all terms US) deal with Kazan of the Russian Super League. Whether Volchenkov, who spent last season with the AHL's Binghamton Senators, will actually fulfil the contract is another matter. Under the terms of the NHL's agreement with the IIHF, Volchenkov has until Aug. 15 to walk away from the Kazan deal.

Volchenkov, who was scheduled to make $1.04 million last season, needs a qualifying offer of $798,000, which includes a 24% salary rollback, from the Senators for Ottawa to retain his rights..

His agent, J.P. Barry, said he wouldn't make any comments until he has clarified the details with Russian officials.

http://ottsun.canoe.ca/Sports/Hockey/2005/07/29/1151758-sun.html

Man.Utd

7-29-05, 11:34 AM

This just SCREAMS leverage ploy. If Anton was serious about jetting to Russia why didn't he do so last season during the lockout? Instead, he showed his commitment to the organization by making peanuts in Binghamton and riding buses away from home when he had no obligation to do so. Also, I wouldn't trust he even has put pen to paper yet. This aticle is actually just saying what the original source did, and the translation on that article was nothing short of pathetic.

Anton Volchenkov - in "Lade"!
Date: on July, 28th 09:17
Source: the Soviet Sports
The author: Gennady NABATOV

Last night the defender of "Ottawa" Anton Volchenkov has arrived in Tolyatti, and today will lead the first training with "Ladoj".

- I have concluded the contract with vazovtsami for one season, - have told yesterday Volchenkov. - Yes, lock-out in NHL has ended. But the worthy offer from "Ottawa" has not acted. Behind ocean and so all cut down the salary, and at me the three-year contract has come to the end. Who to me in present conditions will lift the salary? And the conditions offered "Lada", I am completely happy. The main trainer of a command Peter Vorobev has told, that wishes to see me in the club and very much counts on my help. Here I also have gone to Tolyatti.

..... and we all know how credible European (Eastern European in particular) reports are. How many times have things been reported there only to never manifest themselevs? Just recently during the lockout Mike Fisher apparently had opted to leave Ottawa for a Swiss club. He later confirmed he did no such thing.

One thing to consider is that the A-Trian definatly could make more money short-term in Russia, espicially with taxes taken into account, but NHL $$$ is still quite good as of now and if he develops like we all think he can he'll soon make more cash than he even could over-seas. Quite frankly, I say we offer Volchenkov what we were going to before this mess and not a cent more; we'll show him and others that this **** doesn't fly in the Nation's capital. Athough losing Volchenkov would be a huge and curshing blow to our future defensive corps, we can get by without him for now. Our defense was quite strong last year and Anton was out with injury almost all season. And when he did return I can't say I noticed a huge difference in our backline, although he was likely (and understandable so) pretty rusty. I'm a bit steamed but nothing more at this point. It'll be best to just sit back and watch this play out.