Datsyuk almost followed Kovalchuk... or Kovalchuk would have followed Datsyuk

[Phil The Thrill]

 
Alexander Zaytsev ‏@AlexandrZaytsev 
Gonchar and Datsyuk were really close to leaving the NHL for the KHL this summer, according to Metallurg's GM Velichkin.
 

 
Fuck Gonchar... Didn't bother putting him in the title.

 

[snipezo]

Fuck em.

 

[Teagz]

I lot of Wings fans thought he might go back/retire.
 
 
 
Glad he stayed though lol

 

[RipCity32]

I lot of Wings fans thought he might go back/retire.
 
 
 
Glad he stayed though lol

+1

 

[NV]

Damn that's shit for the NHL honestly, you don't really see players walk away in their primes to play oversees in other sports, especially players of this caliber. 
 
NHL is supposed to be the best hockey league in the world no? 

 

[Fuhgeddaboudit]

Damn that's shit for the NHL honestly, you don't really see players walk away in their primes to play oversees in other sports, especially players of this caliber. 
 
NHL is supposed to be the best hockey league in the world no? 

 
 
Most noticeable/fame, but not the most paid.

 

[NV]

Yeah but Kovy walked away from $77mil...so not even the money 

 

[Fuhgeddaboudit]

Yeah but Kovy walked away from $77mil...so not even the money 

 
 
Said something about family. I believe his wife is there..or mom.

 

[snipezo]

don't take my word for it but I believe that they don't tax you as hard in Russia. playing in your home country is a major plus as well i guess.

 

[Fuhgeddaboudit]

don't take my word for it but I believe that they don't tax you as hard in Russia. playing in your home country is a major plus as well i guess.

 
 
Yeah, the taxes too. I'm pretty sure they don't take as much taxes out.

 

[NV]

Well yeah I know Kovy's reasons for leaving.
 
It's just bad how when this should be an anomaly it is actually becoming somewhat of a trend.  

 

[Fuhgeddaboudit]

Well yeah I know Kovy's reasons for leaving.
 
It's just bad how when this should be an anomaly it is actually becoming somewhat of a trend.  

 
 
Sadly, I have a feeling that this will eventually lead to advertisements on NHL jerseys if the trend keeps happening.... 
 
That would be horrendous, but I can see it eventually happening.