Ever since the International Ice Hockey Federation, the National Hockey League, and the Russian Hockey Federation were unable to come together to sign a satisfactory agreement for the transfer of players, this incident was bound to happen.

Evgeni Malkin’s defection from his Russian Elite Team Magnitogorsk earlier this summer has sparked an international debate over the employment and financial compensation for a player who was referred to as the crown jewel of Russia. There are two ways to look at a situation such as this. However, you must also consider the circumstances that led to this in order to form a legitimate opinion.

Malkin was pressured to sign a one-year contract with Magnitogorsk earlier this summer during a negotiating session that lasted until roughly 4 in the morning. I may not be a player agent, but I am fairly certain that most contracts are not negotiated at such a ridiculous hour.

After signing this agreement, he traveled with his team to Finland to train. While in Finland, he took his passport and belongings and with the help of his American agent, he managed to sneak his way into the United States. Upon surfacing in Los Angeles, he submitted a two-week notice of resignation. According to Russian law, any person who submits a two-week notice of resignation, whether the person is under any contract or not, is allowed to leave that respective position. Thus, this was a legal action that Malkin and his agents took in regards to freeing Malkin from his contract in Russia.

After two weeks, Malkin and the Pittsburgh Penguins negotiated a three-year, rookie-level contract that is laden with incentives, much like the contract that Alex Ovechkin signed with Washington. Just as it was looking like everything would be fine for Malkin to pursue his dream of playing in the NHL, a Russian court ruled that Malkin was not allowed to play for any team other than Magnitogorsk.

So this is where the saga stands thus far: Malkin is in Pittsburgh in the midst of training camp, and Russia is left seemingly yelling at a brick wall.