Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin, Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk and Ottawa Senators defenseman Sergei Gonchar are headed to Russia after the NHL imposed a lockout of its players.
Malkin and Gonchar signed with Mettalurg of the Kontinental Hockey League. The team is based in the city of Magnitogorsk. Mettalurg said they signed the players through the end of the 2012-13 season.
Datsyuk has signed with AK Bars Kazan.
The NHL officially locked out its players Sunday morning after the collective bargaining agreement between the sides expired.
NHL players playing for KHL teams will earn a maximum of 65 percent of their NHL salaries. Malkin has two years and $16.5 million remaining on his deal with the Penguins, Gonchar has one year and $5.5 million left with the Senators and Red Wings' Pavel Datsyuk has two years, $13.4 million remaining.
Via the USA Today:
The KHL has put restrictions on who can sign with the 20 Russia-based teams, allowing only three NHL players...
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September 17, 2012
