Hockey Trade: Russian Defender & Puck Cost – Aktuálně.cz

The Shanghai Dragons sent Vladivostok exactly one thousand rubles, equivalent to about 270 Czech crowns, to reinforce the defense.

In the current season of the Russian KHL, 25-year-old Leontěv collected only one assist in 16 games for Vladivostok (he added another record in two games after the transfer). Even so, the price for it seems inappropriate to the point of being comical.

Last year, the giant Russian fullback had the time of his life. In 68 races for Nizhnekamsk, he collected 16 points (3+13). He was one of the team’s most exploited players thanks to his frequent shot blocking and body shots.

It is not the first time that the KHL has dealt with an exchange involving an amount for which, within the framework of Czech hockey, you can buy, for example, refreshments at an extra-league stadium.

In 2022, Kazan also acquired two players for one thousand rubles (which was equivalent to 370 crowns at the time). And even stars. It involved center Vadim Šipačov and defender Vjačeslav Vojnov.

Such a low amount was enough for Kazan, because at the time Dynamo Moscow wanted to get rid of the well-paid couple due to financial problems and took everything.

The Russian media then sarcastically wrote that Dynamo’s captain came out “cheaper than a hamburger”.

Even in the North American NHL, sometimes the consideration for a hockey player is not common. But it is usually a choice in the sixth round of the draft or a mysterious “future compensation” item, which is often also hidden behind a very low pick in the auction of hopes.

They used to be traded in the KHL as well, but the KHL canceled its draft years ago. And so exchanges like Leontěv’s can now take place.

In the NHL, it was also traded with the help of financial amounts before the turning point lockout in the 2004/05 season, when the rules did not address the fact that richer clubs have an advantage. For example, salary caps did not work.

But while some exchanges involved millions of dollars, there were also bizarre transactions. Even more bizarre than the KHL currently offers. Forward Kris Draper traveled from Winnipeg to Detroit for a single dollar in the 1990s. To the Jets’ surprise, he ended up becoming a legend in his new location.

By the way, Ostap Safin, a native of Prague with a Russian passport, also took the same route as Leontěv, i.e. from Vladivostok to Shanghai. Even another stop in the Russian KHL, where he left in 2023, did not work out for him and he currently works in Trenčín, Slovakia.