It’s something Russian fans have rarely seen because their favorite players are gone most of the year, unless they’re representing their home country at the World Championships or upcoming Olympics in Sochi. The excitement generated for the Kontinental Hockey League gave it more exposure to starved hockey fans around the world who wanted to see some of the best players. Just imagine how great it was for Russia to see their own up close instead of following them from a great distance. Datsyuk, Kovalchuk, Malkin and Ovechkin are rock ‘n roll stars back home, who were treated royally. No wonder the KHL would love to keep them.

Not everyone was on board with some animosity at the Russian stars for bolting to make more money. Here’s what I say to the misguided souls. Was it okay for Joe Thornton and Rick Nash to play for HC Davos of the Swiss League? Or is your frustration only thrown at European stars who’ve sacrificed a lot more to come over to North America and become superstars, who have won Cups, Hart trophies and turned around franchises? Seems kind of slanted.

I get their point about Sidney Crosby and Shane Doan who stayed throughout the frustrating CBA process, working to finally get a deal in place. These are your classic Canadian kids who live much closer. The same goes for most Rangers with Brad Richards topping the list for our Most Valuable Person who helped organize the exhibition with the Flyers’ Scott Hartnell in Atlantic City to raise money for Sandy Relief. Richards along with teammates Ryan Callahan, Ryan McDonagh, Marian Gaborik, Carl Hagelin, etc. also came to Staten Island where they held free hockey clinics at the Skating Pavilion on Arthur Kill Road to raise more money for Hurricane Sandy victims, who were decimated by the storm.

Most of the players who stayed during the lockout were raised in North America. There are a few exceptions such as Gaborik, who was rehabbing. It’s not fair to penalize the Russian stars or arguably the game’s best defenseman Zdeno Chara for going home to play for Slovakian KHL club HC Slovan. It’s easy to label players as greedy for looking to grab extra cash during a work stoppage caused by the owners. If I lived most of the year far from home, I would jump at the chance to return, spending time with family and friends. These guys are on the road 24/7. A point lost on some.

Nobody knows what Kovalchuk is thinking. He considered returning home to play in the KHL before re-upping with the Devils for a crazy 15-year contract that contributed to the lockout. I think playing home means a lot for an emotional star who always shows you what he’s feeling on the ice. He’s been gone from an early age when the Thrashers took him with the No.1 overall pick. Malkin spent an extra year in Russia before coming over and Datsyuk didn’t start right away in Detroit. Ovechkin had an extra year due to the cancellation of the ’04-05 season.

Kovalchuk will return to the Devils. It’s understandable why he’d feel an emotional attachment playing for SKA St. Petersburg, who he helped lead to a 4-2 win over Salavat Yulaev earlier today, netting an assist. He gets to play with Datsyuk one more time representing the West in the KHL All-Star Game this weekend. One last chance to say goodbye.