What the fuck is going on???

So the latest news regarding the Russian take-over of Swedish/European ice hockey has now broken: Malmö and Leksand has been approached by KHL as well - not a concrete offer to join as such, but looking into fan-base, arenas and other infrastructure. Bertil Daniels, chairman of Leksand, is leaving his options open. 'We'll follow what happens and take it from there'.

Don't let them cross the Dnepr!

This stinks of KHL's desperation to broaden it's catchment area. And it also shows that the Swedish hockey association has failed completely over the last few years. They have let themselves been controlled by the 'big' teams, led by Färjestad and Hakan Loob who has had no other interests at heart but their own. In essence the top league has all but been closed for promotion/relegation, money is not filtered down through the system and top clubs can freely 'steal' any promising youngsters from teams below without having to pay any/much compensation.

Had the system been working in Sweden, the KHL would not be an option (and should really still not be), but it seems frustration with the current set up is luring clubs to look elsewhere. Hopefully this can act as a wake-up call for the association to get their thumb out of their arse and do something about the situation.