The NHL has opened negotiations with a new Russian hockey league to establish a temporary agreement to prevent either league from signing players under contract, according to The Associated Press. However, if such a deal isn't reached, Continental Hockey League founder Alexander Medvedev has no problem extending offers to current NHL stars. "I believe the clubs have a free hand to do whatever they want," Medvedev told The Associated Press. "Legally, they have the full right to do so because we have suffered in the past. We can't say, 'Look boys, it's morally not good without having an agreement. Don't do it.'"