Since the conflict in Ukraine began, considerable discussion has revolved around the eligibility of Russian players in the NHL. Despite ongoing conversations, the NHL has remained firm, asserting that it would never contemplate implementing a ban based on location. Nonetheless, it seems inevitable that Russian players will eventually face a ban, despite the league's steadfast position.
During the holiday season, reports emerged from Russia revealing an official announcement by President Vladimir Putin, outlining a mandate that hockey players must serve a specified minimum number of seasons in the league.
This recent directive is expected to pose challenges for teams in forthcoming times. It suggests that the Philadelphia Flyers might have to wait for an additional three seasons before their promising prospect, Matvei Michkov, becomes eligible to join the NHL. Furthermore, this regulation is likely to lead to instances where teams abstain from selecting players because of this enforced 4-5 year timeframe.
