Where are you, McDavids and Crosby? Panarin cuts with the NHL for money, and the rest of the stars chickened out – NHL News – Hockey

They say that for many respectable people directly related to the NHL, a statement by the Russian leader of the Rangers against the NHL came as a surprise. Such “amateur activity” overseas has not been welcomed for a long time if it is laid strictly in hockey frames. The best players are supposed to be humble, educated, say the right and boring things.

Not sure if this behavior is worth copying one to one. NBA superstars, for example, are ready to perform, not hesitating to seem narrow-minded. The main thing is loud and with an important look. Let their attention most often become “issues of racism” and “lost coast” US President Donald Trump. It is probably not entirely correct to compare such statements that fit perfectly on the political agenda and talk about salaries. Although the basketball player Kairi Irving, who was going to discuss a potential strike, did not forget about the money.

From modern NHL stars you will hear nothing but obligatory conformism. And this is in the citadel of world democracy, where it seems to be customary to listen to different opinions. Can Crosby, McDavid, Kane and Matthews something to get scared? On the contrary. It is the figures of this scale that should form new trends, become opinion leaders and thereby promote their sport. You look, and money will go there more actively, and spectator interest will grow. In the meantime, all that they are capable of in public space is the repost of black squares and the use of the hashtag about the meaning of the life of black people. Not a step away from the mainstream.

A dozen and a half years ago, the players were considered. They fought with might and main with the owners for their share of the financial pie. They stood to the death. Let them eventually lose. Panarin’s attempt to pay attention to an important problem now looks like a desperate attempt by a loner. Not only did the media in North America pay suspiciously little attention to his statement – of the top journalists, only Elliott Friedman spoke in detail. Of the players, he was supported only by the age American Kesler, who due to one foot is retired due to his health problems. Amazing cowardice and indifference.

How can one not recall the situation with the participation of the NHL in the Olympics. Ovechkin at least in words outlined his principled position. The rest with a couple of exceptions, such as defender Vlasik, got into their mouths. It seems that the current generation of hockey stars is simply not ready to go on principle and operates according to the old Russian method of “my hut from the edge”. Winning in an open field owners in all respects is impossible. But if you make concessions every time, hoping to win on trifles, then in global issues you will always be brought to your knees.