Does The NHL Have A Russian Problem? And Other Things To Ponder

The world has a Russian problem, that's for sure, as Russian troops invade deeper into the Ukraine and citizens scramble to escape the country or stay to fight. The rest of the world (with the exception of China, natch) has issued sanctions and banning of Russian teams in international events, including all IIHF international tournaments. Of course, with the exception of the Olympics, the IOC will continue pander to the Russians and are proceeding with their participation in the Paralympic games as the ridiculously stupidly named, ROC (Russian Olympic Committee).

Mid-week Thoughts:

• Does the NHL have a Russian problem?: This question is complicated. Most people don't have a problem with Russian players playing on NHL teams, they are contracted to represent their team and just because your country is attacking another country shouldn't mean they should be punished. BUT, when players such as, Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin openly and proudly support Putin both politically and personally, questions have to be asked. These members of Team Putin are in an awkward situation as they can't openly oppose the Russian leader without possible repercussions back home to family and friends, but Ovechkin's response of "No more war please" and "We just hope it’s going to be end soon and everything is going to be all right" can be taken in so many ways, I don't believe he is sincere to the people of Ukraine, but sounds like "ending soon and going to be alright" is more to do with a quicker in and out invasion and everything will be alright for Russia. I could be wrong? The NHL is concerned about the well-being of it's Russian players and it is suspending it's relationships with business partners and Russian language social and digital media sites. CCM announced on Monday they will stop using Ovechkin and other Russian players for global promotions. I expect more similar announcements soon.

• Blackhawks have a new GM, what now?: Well, not really new, as Kyle Davidson just had the interim title removed as he's been the acting general manager since October. It is important though because this is now Kyle's team to shape and mold without feeling it wasn't his right to do so before. He made one major move as interim GM when he fired coach Jeremy Colliton and replaced him with current interim coach, Derek King. It's probably the safe choice as he has been in the system on many levels, so he has the inside knowledge of the organization and from what I've heard he is a progressive independent thinker, so hopefully he can tune out Rocky's meddling. With the trade deadline rapidly approaching, it was important to get in place a permanent GM since the Hawks could (and should) be very active at the deadline. This has become a lame-duck season and an opportunity to rebuild bringing in future talent at the deadline and the draft and playing the younger prospects that are the future of this team, should be the top priority of this organization. Good luck, Kyle, you'll need it!

• Paul Stastny donates to convoy protesters. Really?: I know people have the freedom to donate to whatever cause they support and if they want to give you his explanation of why, even better. BUT, his comments have been more than puzzling and backhanded to our country and government. "I know what Canada was like, and I can see where Canada is going, and I think that's what scares me. It's not about myself or my wife. it's more about our kid's futures, and you want their future to always be better than yours". He added, "It's more just the freedom to decide what you want to do to live and not have an overreach of a government that does too much because, eventually, the more that they can grab, the more they can get". He has a distrust of mainstream media, which he believes has spun the COVID-19 pandemic to a fit a government narrative. For Stastny and other convoy "freedom" fighters, you would think the recent news of the invasion of the Ukraine would put into perspective what real oppression and loss of freedom really means. We live in a relatively civil democratic society without the threat of a real enemy attacks from outside and what this pandemic has exposed is our own privileged view of what we think freedom means. Christ, Stastny has earned more than $80 million in the NHL, living a rich privileged life in one of the most freest societies. His open support of a cause that occupied Ottawa, annoyed citizens in Winnipeg, blocked borders, harassed and mocked health care and retail employees, this became more than protest of freedom, but a embarrassing display of spreading of misinformation and an excuse for racism and hate. To think our government is overreaching by mandating COVID protocols, vaccines and mask-wearing to help keep you and your family safe, Paul, I hope you get traded back to the U.S. at the trade deadline. Bye!