Ruble Report: Olympics, Kunlun, KHL Expansion

Mailbag – something that I’ve been willing to do on a consistent basis but it hasn’t been working out the way I’ve thought. The intention still is for this to be done at least once a month here on Full Press Hockey. The goal is to give insights and answer questions on anything KHL, IIHF, or hockey in general. Without you – the reader this can’t be a thing and so this time around I once again turned to you on Twitter to ask for your questions.

1) Does the signing of more non-Olympic players for the Kunlun Red Star team means that China is out of the Olympics?

The answer in short would be – no, they are not. If it is any sort of indication of things to come, it would mean that they are going.. most likely. It’s been one of the strangest stories to follow in my career as a hockey journalist. IIHF has changed its stance on more than one occasion which is strange by itself. Are these additions/signings made to bolster the Kunlun team? In a way. Although they’re more than likely out of playoff contention, they’re using this opportunity to bolster their core to become more competitive. There is a short span between now and the moment when the Chinese Olympic team has to report for their training camp so raising the competitiveness of the team in general and inside the team is only a good thing. Players having to compete for a roster spot and ice-time only helps – it doesn’t matter which league or team we are talking about. Yet – these signings are a sign of things to come.

While we don’t know what decision the IIHF and IOC will make – it’s expected that at the end of December Chinese Olympic team will begin their preparation process. If we’re looking at the current roster of Kunlun, most of the guys will be involved there meaning that the KHL side might be left with little to no players on their squad. When asking KHL representatives – what is the plan, the answer so far has been – we don’t know. The transfer deadline is at the end of December so once we see more players showing up – we’ll know that that is for the purpose of allowing the team to continue the season in the KHL. I should remind you that Kunlun was created as a base and development squad for the Chinese national team.

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2) Will Chinese-based VHL and MHL teams return?

The question rather should be – will the pandemic allow the Chinese-based teams to return? If so, when? There have been discussions about this behind the scenes but there is no simple solution. Even more, so that it’s uncertain if Kunlun Red Star will be a part of KHL past this season. Chinese hockey development shouldn’t stop past this season or the Olympics but is a KHL team the answer? It costs, it costs a lot to play in the KHL and money is no problem in China. We have to look at it from a different spectrum – how much and how has Chinese hockey developed since joining the league? Yes, there have been upgrades but the plan to grow hockey should be beyond that. Hockey has to be developed in the country – VHL and MHL teams would help that but you also need kids from a very young age playing hockey there, otherwise it’s pointless to have teams that play imports or Russian players who have no connection to China or their hockey.

3) Where is the next KHL team most likely to appear?

I don’t see there being an expansion team in KHL for the foreseeable future. First – the league’s structure has to change. Some of the teams in the league still might have to be removed to reach a number that’s more suitable for leagues’ growth and development. I know for a fact that Lada is considering a return, Novokuznetsk might seek one. It shouldn’t be as simple as ”Hey we want to play, let us in.” But if I’m naming countries, I still see Switzerland, the Czech Republic appear on the map. We’ll see what’s up with UAE and what they have to offer during the KHL World Games event this weekend. The United Kingdom was a top priority at one point but now it has shifted. France still comes up from time to time. I’m going out on a limb here but my off-the-board pick and realistically still could happen is Sweden.

4) Is the NHL going to the Olympics?

A question that many of us have in our mind but there isn’t and won’t be a definitive answer until the cut-off date of the agreement or until the NHL says that they aren’t. But if we’re looking at the Ottawa Senators, Islanders situations – the Covid cases keep appearing more often than they don’t. In my mind, we are just a few canceled games away from the NHL and Gary Bettman saying – enough is enough. Sure it would be nice to have them there but is it worth the risk for the league? The same thing goes for the All-Star Weekend prior to players leaving for China – why have it? Do you really want to risk it? And if you do – what happens when there’s a positive case and all of a sudden more players are forced to isolate? Even without talking about politics – going to the Olympics makes absolutely no sense. And trust me – I’m all for it as a hockey fan, a best on best tournament has been long overdue but not in this kind of environment when there are more important things to worry about.