For now, NHL not worried about new league

OTTAWA -- Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin has no intention of returning home to play in Russia, and the threat of a newly revamped Russian professional league using lucrative offers to poach talent is being dismissed by NHL officials.

"At this point, it's not a major concern," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said at the conclusion of the league's draft in Ottawa on Saturday. "We understand there's going to be a league. We'll see what impact it has. So far, it hasn't really had a major effect on us."

Daly's comments came after The Toronto Star reported last week that several teams from the newly-formed Continental Hockey League intended to offer Malkin a multiyear contract worth at least $12.5 million per season. That's far more than the Penguins or any NHL club could afford under the league's salary-cap system.

Wayne Gretzky had quite a different take on things than Daly.

"Forget concerns. I wish they were around when I was playing," said Gretzky, coach and managing partner of the Phoenix Coyotes.

"My goodness, it's a big decision for (Malkin). Financially, it's incredible. You get a chance to go back to your home country. On the other side of it, you get to play with one of the best players in the National Hockey League in (Sydney) Crosby. In some ways it's overwhelming, to be honest with you."

Malkin's agent, J.P. Barry, confirmed his client received a lucrative "back-channel" offer to play in Russia, but stressed it was a deal Malkin had no intention of accepting.

Two veteran NHL free agents, forward Chris Simon and goaltender John Grahame, reportedly expressed interest in joining the new league.

"Obviously, if you've got star players, you're concerned if you have a chance to lose them. But let's see what happens," said Detroit Red Wings GM Ken Holland.