Earlier, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Czech Republic Martin Smolek said that the department warned the NHL about a possible ban on entry into the country for Russian citizens for exhibition matches. The Sharks are played by Russian forwards Alexander Barabanov and Evgeny Svechnikov.
“Either we all go, or no one goes,” Greer quotes San Jose Hockey Now.
On Thursday, a source familiar with the situation told RIA Novosti that the NHL has agreements to hold exhibition matches in the Czech Republic and does not expect obstacles for Russian hockey players to participate in them. If they arise, the league will not play the scheduled matches in the Czech Republic, and the clubs will play at home.
The NHL season kicks off with the Global Series in Prague on October 7 and 8, between the San Jose Sharks and the Nashville Predators. Yakov Trenin plays for the Predators.