This file photo shows then U.S. businessman Donald Trump talking to Russian oligarch Aras Agalarov and his son Emin. Emin, a pop music star in Russia, is the new Director of the EURO League Players Association (ELPA).

Call it capitalism. Call it greed. But whatever it is, it is suddenly giving EURO League general managers and owners indigestion as they look over their salary charts and wonder how they will possibly keep their star players on their teams.

Madrid is wondering if they should cut Shea Weber loose. Bratislava is deciding whether the team can afford to even talk to Jonathan Toews and his agent today about a new contract.

Players in the league seem to have firmly planted their skates in the ground and are virtually refusing to budge on their contract demands. In Bratislava, for example, six of seven Type 2 free agents this morning declined offers to stay with the team that finished atop the Southern Conference last season and has made the playoffs every year. Prestige points? They suddenly carry about as much influence as British Prime Minister Theresa May.

Many are looking at the new Players Union chief Emin Agalarov, son of oligarch Aras Agalarov, who has popped up recently in regards to Donald Trump scandal #381. EURO League general managers suggest the Union is starting a power play to control more of the league’s money and management.

League Commissioner Chuck Massaro said he is not at all worried about the long-term health of the league. “We are flying into some turbulence, to be sure,” Massaro said. “But we’ll pass that and continue to soar, I’m sure of it. I have (league director of player safety and discipline) Sepp Blatter on the case. He met with Agalarov just last week and he’s been very bubbly since then. I think Sepp has Aggie right where he wants him.”

League accountant Rose isn’t as pleased with what’s going on.

“Sepp has been dining at all the top restaurants in Vienna this week and yesterday I saw an airline itinerary on his desk that included places like the Cook Islands and Figi. Are South Pacific islands suddenly potential markets for hockey?” she asked tongue-in-cheek. “It could be that Sepp’s meeting with Agalarov included the exchange of more than words.”

Rose then appeared noticeably frustrated and got louder, saying, “C’mon, the guy is taking bribe money. It’s as plain as the fake breasts on my hair stylist Gerta’s chest. Although Gerta does do wonderful work.”

Sources said league general managers have secretly discussed a way to fight back: Not make any offers during the free agent steps and force the players to accept smaller salaries after the coaches contracts/investment step. But that would require all 24 GMs’ cooperation and that seems highly unlikely, especially when someone figures out they wouldn’t have much competition in an attempt to sign a superstar they really like.

Media experts predict there will be some very good players without jobs by the time that investment step rolls around. They also expect to see more contract buyouts than usual in the coming days.