Medvedev says "Canada Deserves Better"

The Russian billionaire has publicly made it known he wants an NHL franchise and he wants to bring it to Canada, and in particular, Quebec. He's prepared a formal letter to the league to purchase one of a possible half dozen teams he is interested in on the basis of moving the club to Canada.

When asked how the league feels about him throwing his name into the hat after poaching players, his response was "when the Soviet Union fell apart, the NHL took a bunch of Russian players to the league". While that may not be a most suitable answer, it is interesting to see more and more support coming out from well financed business people on a 7th franchise in Canada.

Medvedev refused to comment on exactly which teams he is looking at, but he seems optimistic about getting a deal done and landing himself an NHL franchise. He is the Deputy Chairman of the Gazprom energy company, as well as the President of the Kontinental Hockey League, the President of SKA Saint Petersburg and the Russian representative to the IIHF Council.

Looks like we're going to have an interesting few years ahead of us in terms of the battle between the NHL and anyone trying to bring a 7th franchise to Canada. I am curious how the league will react to Medvedev's attempt after poaching players, let alone Balsillie who just does what he can to get a team in Canada. You would have to imagine the hatred runs a bit deeper for Medvedev.

Micheal A. Aldred
michealaldred@hotmail.com