An agent representing a spate of Russian-born NHL players is seeking heightened security for his clients.
Per TSN hockey insider Darren Dreger, agent Dan Milstein has called upon the NHL Players' Association and all NHL clubs with Russian-born players to provide additional security for those players in North America.
Milstein cites "real threats" that have been made — both in-person and on social media — to his Russian-based clients amidst the international crisis developing in Eastern Europe, fueled by the Russian military's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine which has now reached day five.
St. Louis Blues forward Ivan Barbashev, who is a native of Russia, is represented by Milstein. St. Louis also has four other Russian-born players – forwards Vladimir Tarasenko, Pavel Buchnevich and Klim Kostin.
The NHL released a statement on Monday saying it is "concerned" about the well-being of players from Russia:
"The National Hockey League condemns Russia's invasion of Ukraine and urges a peaceful resolution as quickly as possible. Effective immediately, we are suspending our relationships with our business partners in Russia and we are pausing our Russian language social and digital media sites. In addition, we are discontinuing any consideration of Russia as a location for any future competitions involving the NHL.
"We also remain concerned about the well-being of the players from Russia, who play in the NHL on behalf of their NHL Clubs, and not on behalf of Russia. We understand they and their families are being placed in an extremely difficult position."
Milstein's other clients including some well-known Russian players like Tampa Bay Lightning stars Nikita Kucherov and Andrei Vasilevskiy, Ottawa Senators defenders Nikita Zaitsev and Artem Zub, Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ilya Mikheyev and Montreal Canadiens defender Alexander Romanov.
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