NHL Rejects Kovalchuk's Contract

[MacK_Attack 108]

Initial rumblings are that NHL rejection of the contract has been upheld.

[Guest mindfly]

Kovie is now a UFA, league descision stands.

[MacK_Attack 108]

So now the question stands....What is an acceptable length for a large long-term contract?

[Glubki 17]

So now the question stands....What is an acceptable length for a large long-term contract?

I'm also interested in hearing if the league is going to fine the Devils...

[jeff48109 474]

So now the question stands....What is an acceptable length for a large long-term contract?

i don't think its the length that is problem. its HOW the contract is structured. if the contract was $102m to be split evenly over the 17 years, the league wouldn't have done anything

Edited August 9, 2010 by jeff48109

[jeff48109 474]

several sources are reporting the arbitrator has ruled in favor of the NHL in the Kovalchuk grievance case, including NHL's twitter

Link to source

Reports: arbitrator denies @NHLPA grievance over the NHL ruling that Kovalchuk's contract with the @NHLDevils circumvented the salary cap

NHL press release

NHL statement

Ilya Kovalchuk is once again an unrestricted free agent as systems arbitrator Richard Bloch has determined the NHL was within its legal right to reject the 17-year, $102 million contract Kovalchuk signed with the New Jersey Devils in July.

Bloch heard arguments from both the NHL and the NHL Players' Association, which filed a grievance on Kovalchuk's behalf, over two days in Boston last week. His decision came late Monday afternoon. As a result of Bloch's ruling, Kovalchuk immediately returns to unrestricted free agent status.

Upon announcing the contract was rejected, NHL Deputy Commissioner said the League would not approve it because it was a "circumvention of the Collective Bargaining Agreement."

Daly released the following statement with regard to the decision by Bloch that the League properly rejected the contract agreed to by the New Jersey Devils and Ilya Kovalchuk:

"We want to thank Arbitrator Bloch for his prompt resolution of a complex issue. His ruling is consistent with the League's view of the manner in which the Collective Bargaining Agreement should deal with contracts that circumvent the Salary Cap."

The Devils can choose to re-work the contract in hopes of getting it approved, or Kovalchuk could look elsewhere. Los Angeles reportedly had an offer for 15 years and $80 million on the table before Kovalchuk agreed to re-sign with New Jersey.

Edited August 9, 2010 by jeff48109

[MacK_Attack 108]

I'm also interested in hearing if the league is going to fine the Devils...

By the sounds of it, they're not going to. The rejection is apparently all they were after.

[roboturner 562]

So I guess the question now is... does any NHL team have the cap space to sign him?

[cjm502 165]

[jeff48109 474]

it'll be funny if Kovalchuk bolts to Russia for the money, after saying he wants to be a Devil for life

[MacK_Attack 108]

So I guess the question now is... does any NHL team have the cap space to sign him?

Absolutely. Question is whether they have budget space.

[Buppy 1,720]

Why this is bad news for the league. Another lockout in 2012?

From George Malik's blog on MLive

http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2010/08/sunday_scuttlebutt_red_wings_p.html

...

Little disappointed in Malik.

It seems the concept of 'degree' is too difficult for him.

Kovy's contract is similar to a lot of approved deals, but it's also worse than all of them. Longer, later age, more junk years, more cap reduction...just worse in every single way.

No, there isn't a specifically stated rule that is violated. But there is a principle. A 40 year deal isn't against the rules either, and who's to say Kovy can't play to 67? Another 23 years at $550k would get the cap hit under $3 million. Technically, there's no rules against 1000 year contracts. Sure would be nice to have a player like Kovy for less than $650k/year.

Without limits on contract duration, the cap is meaningless. With enough years tacked on the end, you could get any contract to average out to basically league minimum. Obviously, there has to be some limit, it's just a matter of where.

[Original-Six 254]

Kovie is now a UFA, league decision stands.

The saga continues....part 2

[rick zombo 3,739]

Get 'er done Kenny!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Guest EZBAKETHAGANGSTA]

several sources are reporting the arbitrator has ruled in favor of the NHL in the Kovalchuk grievance case, including NHL's twitter

Link to source

NHL press release

NHL statement

Now watch Bettman complain more stars are leaving for the KHL...

[seeinred 1,488]

I'm curious as to the evidence each side produced, or what factors were considered. Because, at least from my perspective, it seems like it should've been something along the lines of:

Devils

lolHossa

lolZetterberg

lolLuongo

NHL

But we don't like it!

Arbitrator

Go screw, NHL.

[Jesusberg 1,256]

This is ridiculous, lol. Not because of the decision, just because of how long and drawn out it has become.

[jeff48109 474]

I'm curious as to the evidence each side produced, or what factors were considered. Because, at least from my perspective, it seems like it should've been something along the lines of:

Devils

lolHossa

lolZetterberg

lolLuongo

NHL

But we don't like it!

Arbitrator

Go screw, NHL.

ruling decision

Arbitrator Bloch says " this is a retirement contract" in his report. said deal "well beyond the typical retirement age for NHL players".

Now watch Bettman complain more stars are leaving for the KHL...

itll be funny if he does bolt for Russia for the money. after saying he wants to be a devil for life

Edited August 9, 2010 by jeff48109

[Bannedforlife 403]

This is big news and should've gotten its own thread. I nearly overlooked it

[syntax 359]

Good. That contract was BS.

[henrik40 76]

I agree with the ruling. The line had to be drawn somewhere. Looks like Hossa's deal was the line.

[brett 1,029]

wheres the like button?

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Good.

[MacK_Attack 108]

I'm curious as to the evidence each side produced, or what factors were considered. Because, at least from my perspective, it seems like it should've been something along the lines of:

Devils

lolHossa

lolZetterberg

lolLuongo

NHL

But we don't like it!

Arbitrator

Go screw, NHL.

The Devils weren't allowed to present a case in the process. I would assume they would likely have been declared as having a conflict of interest.

Arbitrator's report/ruling

I do wonder if this ruling sets in motion a move by the NHL to reject contracts like Luongo's.

[jeff48109 474]

reading the ruling, these were the main issues

1) age of Kovalchuk

2) the dramatic decrease in salary after 11 years

3) mimimal salary in the last 6 years

4) the "no movement" clause being changed to "no trade" clause for the last 6 years, which gives the team an out to remove the cap hit