from Michael Russo and Dan Robson of The Athetic,

Before Kirill Kaprizov returned to Russia this offseason, Bill Guerin asked his Minnesota Wild star if he’d consider remaining in the United States or spending his offseason somewhere other than his own country.

Maybe on Fisher Island in Miami, where he stayed for a few weeks before signing his five-year, $45 million contract last fall. Maybe even in Norway with his mentor and Wild teammate, Mats Zuccarello.

Brian MacLellan, the Washington Capitals general manager, planned to have the same conversation with Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov and his other Russian players. In fact, one prominent agent who represents a number of Russian players suggested to his clients they not return home.

“Some Russians should stay in North America this summer,” the agent said. “Just a thought.”

Due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that began in February and the current friction between Russia and the United States and Canada as sanctions continue to mount, there is concern among some NHL teams and the league itself that the Russian government could prevent Russian players from returning to their NHL teams later this summer.

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