NHLPA: IIHF Suspensions Illegitimate

Adding another twist to an already confusing situation, the NHL Players' Association today announced their opposition to the IIHF's decision to suspend the contracts of Alexander Radulov and five others.  The IIHF's actions came in light of complaints by the NHL and the KHL regarding the transfer of several players currently under contract.

Alexander Radulov, who has one year left on his contract with the Nashville Predators, signed a three-year deal on July 5 with Ufa of the Kontinental League.  Also under investigation are the contracts of NHL players Jason Krog, Nikita Filatov, Fedor Federov, Viktor Tikhanov, and Tomas Mojzis. 

The KHL alleges that Krog, Federov, Tikhanov, Filatov, and Mojzis were under contract with Russian clubs when they signed their NHL deals. 

A day after KHL President Alexander Medvedev announced his opposition to the suspensions, his sentiments were echoed by NHLPA Executive Director Paul Kelly. 

"Yesterday's announcement by the IIHF that they have suspended certain players from international competition has no basis in fact or law, and constitutes a violation of the rights of these players," Kelly said Saturday. "The affected players are being unfairly singled out in a dispute between the NHL and the KHL over whether to respect each others' contracts."

The NHLPA has officially registered their displeasure with the IIHF, and warned the governing body that they will consider all legal options available.