The 10 biggest NHL stories of the last decade

10. Birth of the KHL

"In 2008, the Kontinental Hockey League was born out of the Russian Superleague and sent shockwaves over the oceans to NHL shores. Debuting with 24 teams and impressive financial backing, its intentions to rival the NHL weren't exactly a KGB-protected state secret.

It sought to keep young Russian players from fleeing to North America, while becoming an outpost for former NHL players that sought the large contracts and ice time they were no longer being offered. (In the cases of Ray Emery(notes) and Chris Simon(notes), it offered a professional option for NHL pariahs.) The KHL's profile received an instant boost when Jaromir Jagr(notes) bolted for its riches, although rumors continued to swirl that he wanted to return to the NHL.

A bitter dispute over Alexander Radulov's "defection" from the Nashville Predators to the KHL typified the tense relationship between the two leagues from the start. In its second season, the KHL began announcing European expansion plans that could dramatically change the hockey map heading into the next decade. "

Coyotes lend Tikhonov to KHL

"The Phoenix Coyotes announced on Saturday that sophomore forward Viktor Tikhonov would be loaned to Russia's KHL, the Continental Hockey League.

Tikhonov, 21, will play for CSKA Moscow in the KHL for the remainder of this season."

Filatov loaned to team in Moscow

"The Columbus Blue Jackets have loaned forward Nikita Filatov to CSKA of the Kontinental Hockey League for the remainder of the 2009-10 season.

This season with Columbus, Filatov has played in 13 games and scored two goals, while adding eight penalty minutes. In 21 career NHL games, he has six goals and no assists.

Medvedev Says Russian League Can Offer Kovalchuk "Better Terms"

"Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League has a competitive advantage when it comes to attracting potential free agents, and the head of the two-year-old KHL has his sights set on Atlanta’s Ilya Kovalchuk.

Alexander Medvedev, who founded the 24-team league, said Russia’s lower taxes on professional hockey players make his clubs a more attractive choice for high-paid athletes currently in the National Hockey League, the world’s top professional hockey league.

“Our competition is based on the very simple fact that the tax conditions in Russia are better than in the U.S.,” Medvedev said in an interview in Washington today. “We have income tax of 13 percent, and as we know, on average, taxation on income in the U.S. is around 40 percent for the hockey players. It’s a substantial difference, which could give us a competitive advantage in this respect.”

Kovalchuk, the two-time 52-goal scorer whose contract with the Thrashers expires in July, would be the highest-profile player to join the KHL. The Thrashers’ captain has said he wants to stay in the NHL and is focused on trying to get his team back to the playoffs.

“Obviously we are dreaming to have such a player on our teams,” Medvedev said of the 26-year-old left winger from Tver, Russia. "

Caps forward Nylander could be going to Russia to play in KHL

"Caps forward Mikael Nylander looks as though he's headed to Russia.

The 37-year-old cleared waivers yesterday and, with his permission, he can now be assigned to a KHL team. That paperwork is still being finalized so the move is not yet official.

Assuming that Nylander does go to Russia, the Caps would still technically be responsible for his contract, although it is possible arrangements could made with the Russian team. "

Jaromir Jagr on Oilers' radar

"Today's New York Post includes a story on Tom Renney, who as an assistant coach in Edmonton was up against his former New York Rangers team in last night's action. Perhaps most interesting in the piece though was a blurb on a player Edmonton fans might love to see in Oilers silks next season.

(Renney) invested heavily in Jaromir Jagr and was rewarded for his faith. It is no surprise that Renney both stays in touch with No. 68 and is keenly interested in bringing him to the Oilers once the winger completes his second season with Omsk of the KHL and is able to exercise an out clause in his contract.

"Jags and I text back and forth. I talked to him about six weeks ago," Renney said. "He's on our radar. He has NHL years ahead of him. No question."

The Oilers, as you may remember, tried to land Jagr in the summer of 2008 before he ended up going the KHL route and even though he decided not to play with the Oilers, he spoke glowingly of the team's effort to acquire him and said at the time he wouldn't forget that should he come back to the NHL in the future. He's currently playing for Omsk Avangard, where he has scored 11 times in 19 games with 16 total points. He had 53 points in 55 GP last season. "

No deal in place to bring Forsberg to Ak Bars Kazan

"Despite rumours swirling that Peter Forsberg has already committed to AK Bars Kazan of the KHL, the two-time Stanley Cup winner has reportedly yet to make a decision on his future.

Forsberg has told his Winnipeg based agent Don Baizley that he will not make a decision on his future until after the conclusion of the Karjala Cup which the 36-year old is currently participating in Sweden and Finland.

Several NHL scouts are carefully observing the injury prone superstar to see if his troublesome foot is healthy enough for a return to the NHL. "

Nylander is more likely to be playing in the KHL

"The Washington Post reported Capitals center Michael Nylander played his final game with the American League’s Grand Rapids Griffins on Friday, noting his two-week conditioning period ends Tuesday.

Now Nylander and Capitals management will wait to see if his six-point performance in five farm league games will attract interest from any NHL or Kontinental League teams.

Given his salary cap hit ($4.9 million per season through next year) and no-movement clause, Nylander is more likely to be playing in the KHL than to be playing for another NHL club this season."

Grebeshkov: In the KHL next year ?

"Denis Grebeshkov makes $3.15 million this season and becomes an RFA at seasons end. Every year, the Oilers struggle to fit him into the fold at the right dollar amount and every year, the whispers of the KHL tend to get a little louder."