Report: NHL takes a stand after pressure mounts to ban Russian players from Draft

According to a report from NHL insider Pierre LeBrun, the NHL will NOT enforce a ban of Russian-born players in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft as some other sports associations have done in recent months.

From LeBrun:

"No, the NHL is not contemplating barring Russian players from being drafted on July 7th and 8th at the NHL Draft in Montreal. I guess the other thing that we'll have to keep an eye on is whether some of those Russian prospects will be downgraded in the eyes of NHL teams when the draft arrives. I've talked to a few scouts and front offices that are having that internal dialogue. But, for now and I don't think it's going to change, absolutely Russian players are allowed to be drafted. 

- Pierre LeBrun

Thank goodness... 

I understand that there are opinions on this matter that differ from mine, but to me I don't feel it's fair to punish Russian-born players for the actions of their government. After all, it's not like these 17 and 18 year olds have any sway when it comes to International affairs. Why punish them simply because of their place of birth? If anything the NHL should be welcoming even more players from Russia these days in an effort to give them a safe landing spot on this side of the Atlantic.