BREAKING : KHL team gives up on NHL superstar dreams.

The war is real between the NHL and the KHL. Under the nice varnish of politically correct relations, both leagues never stop trying to undermine their opponents. The objective is quite clear for both : grabbing the best player available and have them play on their ices. 

One of these stars is Russian and his name is Nikita Kucherov. He had a very peculiar path to the NHL, beginning his career in the KHL wearing the CSKA Moscow jersey before moving to the junior league in Quebec, the QMJHL. He climbed the steps, was drafted 58th overall in 2011 and then joined the Lighting. He just had a career high 40 goals and 85 points this year and sits comfortably on a 3 years, 14,3M$ contract.

However, his KHL negociation rights still exist and were held by his former CSKA. However, Kucherov had very harsh comments about them and lit the fire in the relationship. Here's the full transcript of the interview in which he trashed the CSKA. The most important quote is this one, though: 

Lysenkov: Have you followed CSKA, your former team?

Kucherov: I don’t like watching them, because they’re playing terrible hockey. I feel sorry for the guys who play there. I’m only happy for Igor Ozhiganov, that he made it to the first team.

Following these comments, the CSKA totally gave up on Kucherov and got rid of even the thought of him. 

Obviously, it would be very surprising to see Kucherov ever joining the KHL again, but this transaction shows how a simple comment in an interview can change the path of a pro career quickly.