ekansekans's blog: "df"

PITTSBURGH -- The question comes up often in Nail Yakupovs meetings with NHL scouts and general managers. Texans custom jerseys . And even though the 18-year-old Russian is still learning English, he cant help but tense up the second he hears the letters "KHL." The player projected to be the likely No. 1 pick when the NHL Draft gets underway in Pittsburgh on Friday understands why hes continually asked how committed he is to playing in North America. "In the draft they dont want to wonder if some player is going to KHL," Yakupov said. "They just want to (us to) play in NHL and work hard." Yakupov is growing tired of repeating himself, but skepticism is part of the territory now that the once fertile pipeline between Russia and the NHL has started to dry up. The bigtime paydays -- not to mention shorter schedule -- of the Kontinental Hockey League has many Russian stars opting to stay home rather than lace up their skates halfway around the world. All Yakupov can do is shrug his shoulders and stress -- again and again -- that he prefers the Stanley Cup to Gagarin Cup, the one awarded to KHL champions. "I say just what I feel inside and I say I want to play in the NHL," Yakupov said. "Its not my deal what teams think, if they dont trust me or not. I want to play in NHL." So do two other players with Russian ties counted among the top forwards available, Alex Galchenyuk and Mikhail Grigorenko. All three pose high-risk, high-reward scenarios. If clubs get skittish, defenceman Ryan Murray from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada could rise all the way to the top spt. The Edmonton Oilers have the No. 1 pick for the third straight year and while general manager Steve Tambellini says hes "comfortable" holding onto it, hes not ruling out shipping the selection elsewhere if another team provides a package that would give the struggling franchise an immediate lift. Though the 5-foot-11, 185-pound Yakupov insists hes ready to play now after lighting up the Ontario Hockey League the last two years, some teams remain concerned if Yakupov and other high-profile players with Russian ties will bother playing in the NHL at all. The KHL, started in 2008 as an offshoot of the former Russian Super League, can offer "Theres so much money in the KHL right now, its very easy for those guys to say, Ill take my $5 million and go play in Russia for two or three years and then Ill come back," Buffalo Sabres director of amateur scouting Kevin Devine said. "Well, it never becomes that easy." The prospect of entering a bidding war with the KHL has led to a steep drop in the number of Russian players selected in recent drafts. There were 18 Russians taken in the 2004 Draft, including top overall pick Alexander Ovechkin and No. 2 pick Evgeni Malkin, who won the Hart Trophy as the NHLs MVP on Thursday night. There have been 16 Russians selected in the last two drafts combined. The Boston Bruins were fresh off a Stanley Cup win last summer when they grabbed winger Alexander Khokhlachev in the second round. Even the prospect of joining an elite team couldnt stop Khokhlachev bolting for the KHL. Sometimes, even when they do agree to play in the western hemisphere, there are no guarantees. The Nashville Predators took a flier on Alexander Radulov in the 2004 Draft and eventually signed him to a contract. Radulov played two seasons with the Predators before signing a lucrative deal with the KHLs Salavat Yulaev Ufa. The mercurial Radulov eventually returned to Nashville this spring, where he played sometimes uninspired hockey. The Predators decided not to extend Radulovs contract. Though he could be one of the most high-profile players on a somewhat underwhelming free agent market, Radulov appears set to head back to the KHL. To help entice the best players to stick around, the income tax rates for top Russian players is decidedly lower -- 13 per cent -- than what they would face in the U.S. or Canada. Throw in the NHL salary cap and the rookie wage scale -- which does not exist in the KHL -- and its no wonder Devine called selecting a Russian "risky." Galchenyuk isnt offended by the notion, but then again every situation is unique. Though his surname is packed with consonants and his parents are both Russian, the 18-year-old Galchenyuk was born in Milwaukee. Technically, hes American even though hes spent the majority of his childhood hopscotching across the globe depending on where the playing career of his father Alex Sr. took the family. "I dont even have my Russian passport anymore," Galchenyuk said with a laugh. "Im an American citizen. Its not a big (trend) for an American to go play in Russia. so they believe me when I say I want to play in the NHL." And while the skepticism remains, the potential of Galchenyuk, Yakupov and winger Mikhail Grigorenko its a guarantee teams with picks in the top 10 will take a chance. It certainly worked out for Washington and Pittsburgh in 2004. Ovechkin basically saved hockey in the nations capital while Malkin became one of the linchpins for a franchise that is a perennial Cup contender. Malkin sheepishly accepted the Hart, Ross (scoring title) and the Ted Lindsay Awards in Las Vegas on Wednesday, graciously thanking former teammate and fellow Russian Sergei Gonchar for helping him adjust to life in the U.S. as an immature 18-year-old. Its a lot for Yakupov to live up to. He insists hes ready to live up to the hype and tamp down the anxiety level for whichever teams sweater he dons on Friday night. All due respect to the quality of play in the KHL and the lavish contracts that await the top players, theres only one place Yakupov wants to play next year, and its not in Moscow. "The NHL is the best league in the world," Yakupov said. His home country included. Andre Johnson Jersey . - Steven Lenhart headed in a goal in the 85th minute to give the San Jose Earthquakes a 1-0 victory over the Minnesota Stars on Tuesday night in the fourth round of the U. Pink Brian Cushing Jersey . Spain failed to dazzle yet again at the European Championship, but still advanced to its third straight major championship final by beating Portugal 4-2 in a penalty shootout on Wednesday following a 0-0 draw after extra time. http://www.nfltexansgearshop.com/danieal-manning-jersey/ . You can watch the game LIVE NOW on TSN and TSN Mobile TV. With a record of four wins and one overtime loss, Canada leads host Finland by one point with each team having two games remaining in the roundrobin portion of the competition. Game Arian Foster Jersey . "I apologize to all NBA fans. This was an unacceptable decision by the San Antonio Spurs and substantial sanctions will be forthcoming. Glover Quin Womens Jersey . Matt Kemp has been out since May 30. Ethiers move was retroactive to June 28. The right fielder was batting .291 with 23 doubles, 10 home runs and 55 RBIs in 75 games this season. Kemp, who plays centre field, has been bothered by a recurring left hamstring problem.NEW ORLEANS -- Anthony Davis has a left ankle sprain that must be evaluated later this week before he can be cleared to practice with the U.S. team. Davis hurt his ankle at the teams training centre in Westwego on Saturday, and Hornets spokesman Harold Kaufman said on Monday that the club considers Davis status for resuming training as day to day. The 6-foot-11Davis, who led the nation with 4.65 blocks per game while leading Kentucky to a national title, is among the players being considered for the American squad at the London Olympics. Davis was drafted by the Hornets first overall last Thursday night and arrived in New Orleans on Friday. He was slated to train for several days at Hornets facilities, along with fellow New Orleans first-round draft pick Austin Rivers, before departing for U.S. practices that begin this Thursday in Las Vegas. USA Basketball is scheduled to announce its 12-man Olympic roster on Saturday. Even if Davis had not been injured, it was not clear that he was going to make the Olympic team. However, if he reports for the U.S. teams pre-Olympic training camp -- whether he can practice or not -- he could be made an alternate, meaning that he could still be called upon to play later this summer if another front-court playyer on the 12-man roster has an injury or other issue that keeps him from suiting up in London. Shayne Graham Womens Jersey. USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said Monday that the Americans have no plans to add any additional players despite injuries to several U.S. team candidates including Miamis Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, who have pulled themselves out of contention for the Olympic squad. Colangelo added that USA Basketball would like Davis to report to training camp this week even if he has not been cleared to practice yet. "Were trying to get a read on his status and then we do want him in Vegas to stay on top of it," Colangelo said. The Hornets have been supportive of Davis selection to try out for the Olympic team, hoping that it hastens the 19-year-olds development as he prepares to start the 2012-13 NBA season as a central part of New Orleans rebuilding effort. Davis, too, has said he is eager to learn from being on a national team squad that will include some of the top players in the NBA. "Playing with the superstars in this league -- itll be a great opportunity for me," Davis said last week. "Theyll show me the ropes, show me things Ive never seen before. ... I just cant wait to learn from them." ' ' '