EHM The Blue Line

With Jagr sign, this league as come again to the top of the news, but what will be the CHL really Impact....

This league was created not only to expand the actual RSL, but to be the 1st step for what could be an NHL rival, and the main european league.
Since last years RSL has been expanding economically and is now the players highest paid League in Europe, and with this step to expand not only economically but geographically they pretend to create a enormous Fan Base not only in Russia but in all Europe.
They've invited Swedish & Finnish teams to join them next season, and although they didn't say yes, they also didn't say no, so everything is open....
This League could be at the long future a league that offers not only economic good conditions but also reputation to all his players & staff, dividing players between NHL/CHL!That's the target!

PS:just for the record, Riga's Head Coach is for me one of the bests in the World(Julius Supler)

Supler already coached in Russia, but it didn't turn out well...

Jagr is certainly a big signing for the first year of this new league. Though to be fair he is past his best in the NHL still a very capable player but this way he leaves the NHL still a legend and can end his hockey days still being a big fish.

The continental league certainly has a lot of money and so yes it will attract some big names. Though it has just begun and at the moment it has no real reputation outside of the financial aspect. I think some of the arenas are pretty small and crowds would need to grow. I am not too sure how this league will be able to support itself in the long term without those outside throwing money into it which of course is neccessary initially.

I don't think this league will be a direct rival to the NHL in the sense that is of equal strength. I do think though this league will be able to attract more european players rather than their development being damaged by having to sign them within 2 years of drafting. Also some big names may leave the NHL towards the end of their career to get one big last pay deal before retiring.

I think it could be good I think only the best Europeans should go over and play the NHL. The others can try this new league and if they impress there it would probably look better than if they were in the minors. In general competition is good for the customers and so this could keep the NHL on their toes though I think they will maintain their monopoly on the sport which is good in some ways and not in others.

This sucks for the other european leagues though -_- Kinda seals the deal for FEL and later SEL to become developement leagues for these two giants.