Calgary’s cold war with Russia is finally over.



OK, admittedly the words “cold war” are more for dramatic effect. But the reality is when it comes to the Flames and players from Russia, there hadn’t been anyone from that country under contract for over a decade before minor league defenceman Rinat Valiev arrived last October as part of the trade that sent Brett Kulak to the Montreal Canadiens.



Over the last two months, Valiev, a 24-year-old restricted free agent, has been joined on the roster by three of his countrymen — each signed to the length of entry-level contract mandated in the CBA, based on their age.



March 30 | RW Dmitry Zavgorodniy, 19, a seventh-round pick in 2018, signs his three-year ELC.



April 9 | G Artyom Zagidulin, who turns 24 in August, agrees to a one-year deal.



May 10 | D Alexander Yelesin, who turned 23 in February, signs for two years.



Why this is noteworthy is that Russia...