Rumor: NHL star defenseman in talks with KHL.

The competition between the NHL and the KHL for the very best player is raging. Each year, star players move from one league to the other, whether to cash in on a huge contract offered or simply to move back closer to home. After a rocky start, the two leagues have now settled in a professional relationship with set rules. 

Apparently, star Caps defenseman Dmitry Orlov is in talk with the CSKA in the KHL. 

This is actually quite surprising. Although Orlov is Russian, the prospect of moving back to the KHL is not exactly positive. He's set to be on the first pairing in Washington next season if he chooses to stay there. Following a one year bridge contract, he's now set to sign a huge deal with the Caps. It would be surprising to see him move to another NHL formation, as is RFA status complicates matters. 

Why the KHL then? Well, the Kontinental hockey league is in dire need for star players. The league is doing badly and huge things need to happen to save the organization from collapsing. Hiring Orlov would bring back a little more prestige to the league and maybe fans too. It would be surprising to see Orlov seriously consider a move back to Russia, but you never know what a little patriotism can do to a player!