Written by Chris Wassel | 28 June 2008

The Russians are coming and this time it's personal. I could put up with them hanging the threat of nuclear war over us again, I mean lets face it all the big countries still have enough bombs to blow us up a thousand times over, so who really cares. The problem is we aren't taking Cold War here, we are talking Hockey War. About the only worse thing you could do is get between me and my beer on a hot Saturday. Thankfully, at this point, the first shots the Continental Hockey League, or the CHL, have fired have failed to strike fear into anyone that is a fan of the NHL. The first bullet was directed at Evgeni Malkin, his agent quickly dispelled any chance of Malkin leaving the NHL. The second shot is aimed at Jaromir Jagr, which is funny because it will fail on two levels. One being the fact that many NHL fans don't see Jagr leaving the NHL as a bad thing and two Jagr's agent has once again said that his clients first priority is to play in the NHL. So with the first two shots fired, and both missing, what are the chances of any of these threats finding a target?

Slim to none.

Nothing is impossible, but I really think the CHL will never truly threaten the NHL and here is why. First and probably the most important reason, is the North American Way of life. The super star type of player is going to make big money no matter way he plays. So money isn't the deciding factor, lifestyle is. I'm sure Russia has it upside, but not at the level the United States and Canada has to offer. Never mind where the player lives, I'm talking about things right down to the hotels they would stay in, the food, transportation, and even the arenas they will play hockey in day in and day out. Do you really think the CHL offers a building the likes of the new Prudential Centre? I don't. Players in the NHL are pampered, the CHL will not be able to match that experience. The next major issue the CHL faces is the location of franchises. We all have heard about the challenges the Edmonton Oilers face in attracting UFA's due to it's cold winters, well this entire league pretty much plays in Edmonton weather wise. In some cases Edmonton looks good!! This will prove to be a major issue for this league moving forward. Last but not least, the NHL is the best hockey league in the world. The best players play in the NHL. The best players in the world want to play against the best players in the world. Never underestimate an athletes pride and the drive they have to prove themselves at the highest level. When it comes to hockey, the NHL is the only stage available for a player to do that on. The CHL may have money to spend, but they don't have the league or the infrastructure to make the money matter. The only players they will suck out of the NHL are the average ones at best. War over.

Then again, this is just a damned opinion.

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