San Jose Sharks Alexander Barabanov is seen here skating against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks during last season’s pre season game on Sun Sep 26, 2021 at the Honda Center in Anaheim. NHL Russian players Barabonov, teammate Evegeny Svechinkov and the Nashville Predators Yakov Trenin are banned from playing in Prague for the Oct 7th and 8th games by the Czech Republic government. (AP News file photo)

On the SJ Sharks podcast with Troy:

#1 With the Czech Republic letting NHL teams know don’t even think of bringing your Russian players to Prague San Jose Sharks team captain Logan Couture made it clear that if Russian teammates Alexander Barabonov and Evgeny Svechinkov are not welcome in Prague the team is not welcome in Prague. Couture said they will do everything as a team.

#2 The NHL never considered banning it’s Russian players. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said that the NHL Russian players are there for their teams, the fans, and the league.

#3 From the Czech prospective because of their neighboring location near Russian and because the world has viewed the Russian military devastation on the Ukraine as unacceptable they have decided to ban Russian players but as the Couture has said that the Russian players didn’t do anything wrong they shouldn’t be punished.

#4 The two regular season games with the Nashville Predators are scheduled for Oct 7th and 8th in Prague and NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said that after the NHL received letters from the Czech Government he was assured that things can get worked out to allow the three Russian players in question to be allowed to play.

#5 Troy, got to ask you your thoughts on Sharks general manager Mike Grier who said of the Russian ban in Prague “We are a team. Either we all play, or we don’t play.” 

Join Troy Ewers filled in for Matt Harrington for the SJ Sharks podcasts Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com