from Micahel Traikos of the National Post,

For years, the NHL has mined the NCAA for affordable free agents who for one reason or another fell through the cracks and went undrafted. Brian Burke used to say it was like finding a wallet and discovering there was money inside. But in the last couple of years, Russia holds even more of a windfall.

“The established players know the league they’re playing in is crap, so they are going to the best league in the world. And the NHL needs cheaper players,” said a player agent who requested his name was not used. “Radulov might not be a cheap player (his $5.75-million cap hit is second among Montreal forwards), but for what he delivers every night, he is a cheap player. Zaitsev and Panarin are entry-level players.

“More and more teams are sending scouts out to Russia to watch the KHL. There are many more out there that can play in the NHL and do well. They’re coming.”

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