Pavol Regenda signed a two-way contract extension with the San Jose Sharks worth $775,000 in the NHL and $350,000 in the AHL, with a $400,000 guarantee. He recently spoke on a Slovak podcast about declining opportunities in Russia, emphasizing the association of playing there with supporting the war. Regenda mentioned the financial temptation for players to accept offers in Russia and acknowledged future possibilities after the war ends. He also discussed the challenges of attracting NHL players to the Slovak national team and his trade from Anaheim to San Jose.
Regenda stated, "There were various offers from Europe, even from Russia, but I wouldn't go there right now. I know what it's like for the guys who are there now. And I don't want to be a dick, because people automatically take it that you support the war and go to work for blood money."
He acknowledged that many would take lucrative offers, saying, "If a Slovak received such an offer, 99.9% of people would leave their families at home and go. But if you go there as a hockey player, you automatically support the war."
Regenda noted, "Sports and politics are not related at all, but I know that there are guys out there who get threats and hate messages. So I said no to Russia. There will be offers from the KHL in the future. Maybe when the war's over, I might go there."
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