IIHF suspends contracts of Preds' Radulov, five others while it investigates

"I support their interest in helping the parties to try to find a resolution to the issues," Daly said. "Clearly, we don't want to abdicate the right to determine a player's contractual status and his eligibility to play in our league. That's our issue. Having said that, we want to be clearly transparent because there is nothing to hide here.

"The facts are the facts. If a player has a valid contractual obligation somewhere else, he shouldn't be playing here and vice versa."

The NHL requires its teams to provide proof that a player is free of any existing contracts before the league will register a new deal. Despite the KHL's position that Filatov, Tikhonov, Mojzis, and Fedorov, are under contract in Russia, Daly said the NHL has documentation stating that they were clear of obligation.

Krog's deal holds a provision that allows him to get out of his contract for an offer than exceeds $600,000.

"All these players were free to sign in the NHL," Daly said.

Filatov was chosen by the Columbus Blue Jackets with the No. 6 pick in the first round of the June draft and recently agreed to terms on an entry level NHL contract. Tikhonov, chosen No. 28 by Phoenix, came to terms with the Coyotes. Both players' Russian teams say they already had deals in place.

"I believe an investigation is necessary," Medvedev told the AP by telephone from Moscow, "but there is no legal ground for a suspension in the absence of a transfer agreement."

The decision ultimately could be decided in Russian and U.S. courtrooms, where the NHL has won previously in similar matters.

"In order to have rules we need to sign an agreement," Medvedev said. "Without a signed agreement, we are in a legal vacuum which could be treated differently than what is actually happening. I can return Radulov, but when I say to return my boys, nobody can hear."

Krog, an NHL veteran, signed with Vancouver after he reportedly came to terms with a team in Russia. Mojzis, who played last season in Russia, has a new deal with the Minnesota Wild.