Russian paperwork in Artyukhin's way

The co-agent for Russian freight train Evgeny Artyukhin said Tuesday that his client is in the process of signing a two-year, $1.9-million contract (NHL rules prevented him from doing that until Tuesday). But even if he signs the deal that will pay $900,000 next season, paperwork needed from Russia can hold up the process.

Todd Diamond said the NHL is requiring all players coming from Russia to provide a note from the Russian league now called the Continental Hockey League (thanks for the reminder, Geografer, I'm a little scattered, today) that proves the player is no longer under contract to a Russian team. Mark Gandler, Artyukhin's other agent, said he has asked Artyukhin to send him his prior contract with Russia's Central Army team to prove it has expired.

"If I get a copy of the contract tomorrow, then it will get done tomorrow," Gandler said. "If not, it will take another few days to get the note."

Comments

[Neville]

Gratton and Roy were the two best scrappers we had (have?). I certinally hope we keep them both. We want Roy!

[ctimm]

The Lightning need Arty for his size and speed. He chased and caught Ovechkin down in their rookie year, yeah I saw it LIVE. Nothing wrong with an enforcer. Wish they could keep Roy too. The Bolts are playing the Red Wings game, old guys that can play. And it worked for the Wings, but the Bolts have Vinny x2. Trade St Louis if anyone will take him. Get some D-FENSE. The Bolts have moved out the basement with these moves. I am liking OK hockeys moves. Torts is still a jag off. Good Luck Barry

[Don in St. Pete]

Columbus has a really good defenseman that they resigned at a favorable cap # just before free agncy who is a top 2 defenseman in Jan Hejda. He was my #1 target in FA for the bolts before he resigned. Fortunayely Columbus doesn't have squat excet Rick Nash and so they are looking for help. I sayt we offer them Ward, Tarnasky and Luckowich for Hejda.

[Bingo]

Don, et al I hope that we can package some of the extras into a 'D' player. Anyone have some ideas on who might be available for trade ?

[Don in St. Pete]

Damian, Thanks agin for your perserverance these past few days! You exuberance has only been matched by the dedication of you beer fed bloggers. Great post by the turtle as always and I am in complete agreement. I think we need Gratton and I do not believe he is out of the picture yet. Unfortunately, with the signing of Adam Hall and the iminant signing of Evgeny Artyuhkin, I think that Tarno, Ward and Jokinen may have seen there last days in a Bolts uniform. I loved Jokinen's speed, he's just not responsible enough defensively to play on the checking line. Places these guys are likely to end up include Minny, Isles, CBJ, LA Florida and Hotlanta. All have loads of cap room and many holes to fill.

[Lisa]

Well, he can play in the "hockey mecca" that has a half empty arena every game. Good choice.

[TJ]

Man, my head is still spinning after all those moves today! The heck with the trading deadline, this was (or still is) much more exciting. Anybody got a whiff of anything about Sundin or Hossa? I guess those are about the 2 biggest fish left in the pond...

[wahls]

Thanks for checking on the Arty stuff for us DC.

I never really thought of New Jersey as a hockey mecca, but hey whatever floats your boat Rolston. For that kind of money, I'm kinda glad we ended up with Vrbata instead.

[Shaun]

I look forward to booing him next season, Rolston that is.

[Not the Marlboro Man]

Just read that Brian Rolston signed with the Jersey Devils for 4 years $20 million. What a bone head! He could have had allot more house for the buck here and allot less in tax and other expenses. I guess he wants to be close to NY City. His loss, now he has to play in the trap again...too, bad decision by Brian.

[Shaun]

Why do we recognize anything "legal" from a country whose "Prime Minister" poisons people?

[tom]

they already said its gonna hold up all, the Continental league is offering major money to keep its player and to get em back...kinda interesting

[Voice of the Turtle]

As the cap room becomes more scarce and the roster fills up to a point beyond the number of players that will be dressed, it becomes more sadly evident that there are no plans including Chris Gratton and/or Andre Roy unless a few trades (players for draft choices) are executed. Personally, I think Gratton fits the mold of the new evolving Lightning concept, and I hope to see him back.

To those who think Koules and Barrie are acting like kids in a candy store, one might point out that each of these new players fill a specific and vital role for the Bolts. I believe a great deal of good judgment has been exercised, and, barring problems of team chemistry, the Bolts will be highly competitive in the forseeable future, and the Forum should be packed on game nights.

[Geografer]

There is no more Russian Elite League it is the Russian Continental League now. Hope the change in regime doesn't hold anyone up.

[slapshot]

What?????!!!!!