Now a newleague has been formed in Russia

While they enjoyed minor success eventually theleague was forced to fold in 1979 after too many teams could not support themselves financially.The one positive that came out of the WHA was the NHL realized they had to start scouting overseas in Europe and elsewhere. At the time the NHL recruited mostly in Canada and ignored overseas players for the most part but after seeing the success the WHA had with European players they decided to start taking a look at them.Now a newleague has been formed in Russia. The Kontinental HockeyLeague was formed in 2008 and finished their very first season at the end of February 2009.There are currently 24 teams playing in the KHL, with 21 of them being from Russia, one from Belarus, one from Kazakhstan, and one from Latvia. The KHL plays just 56 games, a considerably smaller schedule than the NHL which plays an 82 game regular season schedule.The KHL is entering just its second season but already has been able to get some former NHL players to switch sides and play for them. Some of the biggest names are Ray Emery, Jaromir Jagr, Jozef Stumpel, and Chris Simon.The one thing that is hurting the KHL from advancing itself is the fact that a rule is in place where a team can sign no more than five foreign players and can have no more than four foreign players playing in one game.Still the KHL's first year was a successful one. Some teams struggled with money issues but the league has a plan in place to help them teams out.

If the KHL can continue to flourish than the NHL should be ready for a loss of some of the big time stars.Currently the NHL, KHL, and IIHF are trying to work out an agreement where the KHL will not try to steal away NHL players who are under contract especially since the signing of Alexander Radulov by Salavat Yulaev Ufa of the KHL.The KHL has already shown they are willing to go after the big money guys by offering them big time contracts and there are many players who like to go home and play for their home team.The NHL had better work out an agreement with the KHL because if they are able to stay afloat for the next few years or so many more NHL players could be influenced by the opportunity to play for more money and closer to home.. For German four-week diary please click on DE/DIA For German corporate events diary click on DE/EQUITY UPCOMING ECONOMIC INDICATORSGMTMEDIANDATEGMT/LOCAL INDICATORPERIODF/CAST PRIOR07JAN 0900/1000 Unemployment total NSA Dec3.07m2.988m07JAN 0900/1000 Unemployment total SADec3.15m07JAN 0900/1000 Unemployment rate SA (official data) Dec 7.57.507JAN 0900/1000 Unemployment change SA (official Dec10.0k-10.0k data) GENERAL / ECONOMIC EVENTS NO EVENTS SCHEDULED Berlin Newsroom 49 30 2888-5000 Stocks Global Markets Stocks Global Markets. This week on Monday Night Football, we will be treated to what could be the game of the season. The mighty New England Patriots will square off with the undefeated New Orleans Saints.If you aren’t excited for this one, you might want to check your pulse.The game will feature two of the very best quarterbacks in the league with Drew Brees and Tom Brady. They are still doing great at 7-3 and they definitely have the capability to beat New Orleans.However, two weeks ago, they lost to the other undefeated team in Indianapolis and many second-guessed their decision in the final minutes to go for it on fourth down.The offense has been good overall, but the defense has been a little questionable at times. Belichick obviously didn’t have enough faith in them to put the game in their hands against Peyton Manning, so why would anyone think they could consistently stop the juggernaut that is Drew Brees and the Saints offenseThe Saints have been rolling along and got two good games from one-win teams the last two weeks.

Besides that, their defense has been one of the best in the league so far this season.Right now, they really look like the favorite to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. It's ACC Championship game week! It's Georgia Tech vs Clemson for the right to go the Orange Bowl. Both teams are coming off bitterly disappointing losses to their in state arch rivals. Georgia Tech lost 30-24 to the Georgia Bulldogs and the Clemson Tigers lost to the South Carolina Gamecocks 34-17. Despite the losses the two teams have had an exciting rivalry the last decade and this should be a close competitive game.I don't think last Saturday's results will play much role in the upcoming game. Clemson hasn't shown the ability to power run this season the way Georgia did against Georgia Tech.