Member of famed 'Russian Five' suggests lawsuit to get Russia back at international tournaments
An ex-Detroit Red Wing and member of the NHL's 'Russian Five' in the 90s has had enough of the ban on Russia at international tournaments hosted by the International Ice Hockey Federation. In a recent interview, Viacheslav Fetisov said a lawsuit may be the answer to force a decision.
"It is outrageous that the team with the most victories is missing from international tournaments."
"It's necessary to seek a decision on returning our players to the international arena or to close the sport as an international organization and open another political organization" - Viacheslav Fetisov
Fetisov was one-fifth of the Russian Five, along with Sergei Fedorov, Vladimir Konstantinov, Slava Kozlov, and Igor Larionov. He is currently banned from coming to the United States as he is a member of the Russian Duma, which makes him a government official. As such, he was specifically named in sanctions imposed by the American government.
Russia has been suspended from participating at IIHF tournaments like the World Juniors and World Championship since its invasion of Ukraine in late February of this year. Belarus was also suspended for its support of Russia. The level of competition at these tournaments has suffered as a result of Russia's absence, regardless of whether the suspension is justified. The NHL is hosting a World Cup of Hockey in 2024, and has not yet stated whether Russian players will be involved. If I had to guess, the NHL is hoping the conflict comes to a resolution before it has to announce anything.
| POLL | ||
AOÛT 30 | 287 ANSWERS Member of famed 'Russian Five' suggests lawsuit to get Russia back at international tournaments As it stands right now, should Russia be playing at IIHF tournaments? | ||
| No, the suspension is justified. | 168 | 58.5 % |
| Yes, the players should not be punished | 69 | 24 % |
| I'm not sure | 50 | 17.4 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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APRIL 24, 2026
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| G | A | PTS | ||
| Mikael Granlund | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Lawson Crouse | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Leo Carlsson | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Kirby Dach | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Alexandre Texier | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Mackenzie Weegar | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Zachary Bolduc | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Clayton Keller | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Nic Dowd | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Jack Eichel | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Dylan Guenther | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Brandon Hagel | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Lane Hutson | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Kasperi Kapanen | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Alexander Killorn | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Mason McTavish | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Ryan Nugent-Hopkins | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Vasily Podkolzin | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Brayden Point | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Beckett Sennecke | 1 | - | 1 | |
| COMPLETE STATS | ||||
| 2025-2026 NHL STANDINGS | ||||||
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Sabres | 82 | 50 | 23 | 9 | 109 | |
| Lightning | 82 | 50 | 26 | 6 | 106 | |
| Canadiens | 82 | 48 | 24 | 10 | 106 | |
| Bruins | 82 | 45 | 27 | 10 | 100 | |
| Senators | 82 | 44 | 27 | 11 | 99 | |
| Red Wings | 82 | 41 | 31 | 10 | 92 | |
| Panthers | 82 | 40 | 38 | 4 | 84 | |
| Maple Leafs | 82 | 32 | 36 | 14 | 78 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Hurricanes | 82 | 53 | 22 | 7 | 113 | |
| Penguins | 82 | 41 | 25 | 16 | 98 | |
| Flyers | 82 | 43 | 27 | 12 | 98 | |
| Capitals | 82 | 43 | 30 | 9 | 95 | |
| Blue Jackets | 82 | 40 | 30 | 12 | 92 | |
| Islanders | 82 | 43 | 34 | 5 | 91 | |
| Devils | 82 | 42 | 37 | 3 | 87 | |
| Rangers | 82 | 34 | 39 | 9 | 77 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Avalanche | 82 | 55 | 16 | 11 | 121 | |
| Stars | 82 | 50 | 20 | 12 | 112 | |
| Wild | 82 | 46 | 24 | 12 | 104 | |
| Mammoth | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 92 | |
| Blues | 82 | 37 | 33 | 12 | 86 | |
| Predators | 82 | 38 | 34 | 10 | 86 | |
| Jets | 82 | 35 | 35 | 12 | 82 | |
| Blackhawks | 82 | 29 | 39 | 14 | 72 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Golden Knights | 82 | 39 | 26 | 17 | 95 | |
| Oilers | 82 | 41 | 30 | 11 | 93 | |
| Ducks | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 92 | |
| Kings | 82 | 35 | 27 | 20 | 90 | |
| Sharks | 82 | 39 | 35 | 8 | 86 | |
| Kraken | 82 | 34 | 37 | 11 | 79 | |
| Flames | 82 | 34 | 39 | 9 | 77 | |
| Canucks | 82 | 25 | 49 | 8 | 58 | |
COMPLETE STANDINGS | ||||||