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‘It’s because of the money': KHL threat is real, says Blue Jackets GM

Colorado Avalanche v Columbus Blue Jackets

COLUMBUS, OH - MARCH 3: on March 3, 2013 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** name

Kirk Irwin

At the same time his goalie, Sergei Bobrovsky, is reportedly being pursued by SKA Saint Petersburg, Columbus Blue Jackets’ general manager Jarmo Kekalainen has opened up about the threat of losing players to the KHL.

“It’s real because of the amount of money they’re offering in some cases,” said Kekalainen, as per tweets from Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch.

“For some guys the money is too good to pass. And, for NHL clubs, if a guy is offered $5M more than you can pay, well then, ‘do svidaniya.’”

Portzline also stated that Kekalainen was not talking specifically about Bobrovsky, but just in general.

Bobrovsky, at the age of 24, emerged as a standout NHL goalie this season after posting a 21-11-6 record and .932 save percentage, which was good enough for second among netminders.

It also got him a Vezina Trophy nomination.

He is set to become a restricted free agent this summer, and contract talks between Bobrovsky and the Blue Jackets haven’t made any progress, according to Kekalainen.