NHL agent calls for additional security over “real threats” made to Russian players.

Whether we like it or not the ongoing conflict between Russia and the Ukraine is having a significant impact on the sport that we love and unfortunately it would now appear as though things have taken a very dark turn when it comes to the National Hockey League.

On Monday morning TSN NHL insider Darren Dreger reported a conversation he had with high profile NHL agent Dan Milstein regarding this very topic. According to Dreger, Milstein has informed him that some of his Russian clients have reported what he described as "real threats" with Milstein even going so far as to request additional security for his Russian born players currently playing in North America.

While I can certainly empathize with people frustrated at the actions taken by the Russian government, lashing out at players who have nothing to do with the decision of their government is very clearly the wrong thing to do. Taking that frustration out in the form of credible threats however takes even that behavior to an entirely different level and is nothing short of disgusting.

As far as we know Milstein has not revealed the identity of the players who have been on the receiving end of these threats, but he has several high profile Russian clients including Tampa Bay Lightning star forward Nikita Kucherov, Lightning star goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, Ottawa Senators defenseman Nikita Zaitsev, Calgary Flames defenseman Nikita Zadorov, New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin, and many more.

For Milstein to publicize this information suggests to me that the threats that have been made towards his clients are credible ones, and if that is indeed the case I don't blame him one bit for calling on the NHL and National Hockey League Players' Association to provide additional security in this situation.

I can't believe I have to write this but regardless of how angry you may be at the Russian government for their actions in the Ukraine, please do not take out your anger and frustrations on innocent hockey players who have played no part in those actions. Harming, or threatening to harm, innocent people will do nothing to solve the problem and will only cause more suffering.