What Is So Super About This Soviet Super Exhibition Series?

The Soviet exhibition tour that pulled into Hartford on Friday has been billed as Super Series ‘88-89.

But is this the Super Series of international hockey?

The Super Series of superpower politics?

The Super Free-Fetisov Series?

Or is it the Super Series of supply-side economics?

After watching the Soviets excel in a number of global competitions, virtually anybody who follows hockey knows the brilliance of Sergei Makarov, Vladimir Krutov, Igor Larionov, Viacheslav Fetisov (campaigning regularly for his release to play for the New Jersey Devils) and Alexi Kasatonov.

In fact, some fans may be able to name more Soviet players than Vancouver Canucks. And those who run the sport on both sides of the Iron Curtain are happily aware that the ultimate game between East and West, at least at this point in hockey history, is a tossup.

The games played by the Central Red Army, which is facing seven Wales Conference teams, and Dynamo Riga, playing seven Campbell Conferene teams, are about something bigger than sticks and pucks. The games are about politics and bucks.

The NHL is scheduled to send two teams, one presumably is Calgary, to the Soviet Union next autumn for eight preseason games.

And the NHL and Soviets are working on a deal to bring four teams to the United States to play all 21 teams in games that would count in the standings next season. A statement from a Soviet official that a Soviet team may play in the NHL was shouted down by NHL President John Ziegler, but it is possible that some day there could be a world series following the Stanley Cup playoffs.

This tour, which concludes today in Buffalo, N.Y., is not being received very well. In fact, some feel that NHL Players Association Executive Director Alan Eagleson is stretching the point by bringing the Soviets over again on the heels of the Canada Cup and the Olympics.

“People want to come to these games to see Russians lose,” Eagleson said at the start of the tour. “If I brought the Swedish national team over here after they won the 1987 World Championship, they would have drawn 2,000 per game. They would have been all Swedes.

“Hockey fans of my generation know where they were and what they were doing when President Kennedy was shot, when the first man walked on the moon and when Paul Henderson scored the winning goal (in the 1972 Super Series).”

That, of course, is hype. The beauty of Soviet skating, passing and stickhandling is on display. For the purist, this is a treat. Competitive instincts should prevail, too. But there is the reality of the long NHL season to consider.

“Every now and then I really like to see the Russians, but we’re getting a steady diet of them,” said Gordie Howe. “It takes away from the flavor.”

The Soviets, however, want a taste of the big bucks. The government has been after the hockey federation to support itself. Enter the Super Series ‘88-89 and a 16-year association with the NHL.

“Even when the U.S.-Soviet relations were strained, we were negotiating deals involving millions of dollars on just a handshake,” Ziegler said.

The Soviets get $40,000 a game, plus expenses. The NHL players association, which is sponsoring the tour, hopes to raise $2 million for its pension fund. Arena operators get a rental fee. And if the game is a sellout, the home team can score a nifty profit. As NHLPA Director of Operations Sam Simpson pointed out, everybody gets something except the NHL general managers. They only get the fear of their players getting hurt.

Hartford Whalers owner Donald Conrad said he thinks the game here can earn “in the ballpark of $150,000. Half of that will go to the players association and half goes to Avon Old Farms for the rink we’re building out there. This means everything is for the players.

“I think you’ll see games that count in the standings next season. Harold Ballard and Philadelphia are against it, but it’s part of the collective-bargaining agreement. They may play those two games at neutral sites, maybe potential expansion cities. I think games should be separate from politics.”

The Soviets are much looser than when they first began playing against the NHL teams in 1972. In fact, Fetisov and Larionov have even engaged in public tussles with Coach Viktor Tikhonov. Larionov, in fact, fired off an angry letter to Ogonyok, a Soveit news magazine, assailing Tikhonov for an oppressive 10-month training regimen and also saying “biostimulants” were offered to improve play.

The Soviets express real opinions these days. Fetisov through an interpretor gives his version. Tikhonov gives his.

Last week, Fetisov said, “The sports committee is not against my going to the NHL, the team is not against it, but the minister of defense (Dmitri Yazov) is. And no one is allowed to talk to this man. . . . If Tikhonov wanted it, I think this thing would be resolved quicker. Last summer I was angry, but I’ve calmed down.”

“In May I officially signed my approval,” Tikhonov said. “Maybe Fetisov thinks he’s supposed to get my special help. I do my best. But there are other top officials. He (Fetisov) is a great actor.”

“Who did he sign it with--you?” Fetisov said to reporters. “When I see it, I’ll believe it. . . . He’s all talk and no action.”

In New Jersey, Fetisov, who has a 25-year military obligation as a Soviet major, was cheered wildly and Tikhonov was heavily booed. Fetisov announced to the media there that Soviet ambassador Yuri Dubinin had approched him.

“The ambassador asked me if I was willing to go. I want to play in New Jersey. This is a positive step.”