Zetts 236 Report post Posted September 13, 2010 (edited) http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=333690 The league announced in a press release Monday that they have fined the Devils $3 million and that the club will forfeit their third-round draft choice in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft as well as a first-round draft choice in one of the next four NHL Entry Drafts. Edited September 13, 2010 by Zetts Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yzerfan1999 81 Report post Posted September 13, 2010 ZZZZZZZZING. That hurts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
syntax 359 Report post Posted September 13, 2010 The league did something I agree with? World ends tomorrow. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Booster313 138 Report post Posted September 14, 2010 (edited) I think this is bulls***, why would they "approve" the contract then fine the team afterwards! Talk about a mixed message. Edited September 14, 2010 by Booster313 6 T.Low, crotty99, Zeowingsfan and 3 others reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
xtrememachine1 795 Report post Posted September 14, 2010 I think this is bulls***, why would they "approve" the contract then fine the team afterwards! Talk about a mixed message. Yeah, I'm confused by this too. The deal the NHL rejected isn't that much different from the one that they agreed to. Now they're getting fined and losing draft picks? At least it wasn't $3 mil in cap space. 2 T.Low and Gordie Howe hat trick reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barrie 900 Report post Posted September 14, 2010 Keep pissing people off Gary! The more people you screw around with, the more people don't like you, and you're looking for another job. Today I heard on the FAN590's Center Ice with Greg Brady, Doug MacLean, and Nick Kypros, Bettman is going to try and get rid of guaranteed contracts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisdetroit 189 Report post Posted September 14, 2010 IMO that's way to harsh. The contract was worse in terms of circumvention than some others but it's clear that other teams did the same thing but weren't quite as blatant. And the other teams got no penalties and got to keep their contracts. I'm not a Devils fan but they got screwed. 2 Gordie Howe hat trick and T.Low reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ben_usmc 253 Report post Posted September 14, 2010 I think they should have just made the Devils eat his entire contract instead Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thedisappearer 291 Report post Posted September 14, 2010 I can see that 3rd rounder, and maybe another, but a first round pick? Damn, yo. That's brutal. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broken 16 381 Report post Posted September 14, 2010 (edited) I don't understand how a team can be fined draft picks for something when there was no precedence. So is this gonna be the standard punishment for someone trying to circumvent the cap? I can see charging them a bunch of money to recoup legal expenses etc. But draft picks too? I find it kinda ridiculous. Edited September 14, 2010 by Broken 16 2 Gordie Howe hat trick and T.Low reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Esquire 324 Report post Posted September 14, 2010 (edited) Stupid question, but since these draft picks aren't being surrendered to another team but to the NHL, doesn't this just mean that two kids are essentially getting screwed outta of their dream by not getting drafted? How does keeping young future stars out of the NHL benefit anyone? Edited September 14, 2010 by BleedRed&White 1 Gordie Howe hat trick reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broken 16 381 Report post Posted September 14, 2010 Stupid question, but since these draft picks aren't being surrendered to another team but to the NHL, doesn't this just mean that two kids are essentially getting screwed outta of their dream by not getting drafted? How does keeping young future stars out of the NHL benefit anyone? The picks are going to Phoenix. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vladdy16 2,154 Report post Posted September 14, 2010 I call BS. I know this is the punishment for the first contract and that this is allowable under the CBA, but for a first-time enforcement, they should have just nullified the contract and been done with it. Vetoing sent the message the league wasn't going to allow this anymore. No need to punish them by taking away picks. Broken16 - don't give them any ideas!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lovin Jiri Fischer 147 Report post Posted September 14, 2010 Here is my major question: Is the punishment a result of the original 17-year contract, or are they being punished for the 15-year contract? I disagree with this punishment because: 1. If the Devils are being punished because of the original contract that they offered Kovalchuck, they should not be penalized because they did not go through with it after the NHL stepped in. The contract was taken away, so therefore no rule was broken. If the league told them that they would not allow the contract and the Devils went and did it anyway, then I can see them being punished. But they shouldn't be punished for something they did not follow through with. (Of course this is the NHL so maybe "intent to sign a contract" actually means that it counts) 2. If the punishment is a result of the new 15-year contract, then how can the NHL punish them if they approved it? Here, no rule was broken either because the NHL allowed this. I know $3 million is not a lot of money for a hockey organization, but the draft picks will really hurt because some of their players are getting up there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Original-Six 254 Report post Posted September 14, 2010 (edited) I think this is bulls***, why would they "approve" the contract then fine the team afterwards! Talk about a mixed message. Im pretty sure they are being fined for the first contract that got rejected. But yeah kinda weird they get fined for something that never came to light anyway. Not to mention that are still 3 mill over the cap yet. That sucks...but its NJ so its funny Edited September 14, 2010 by Original-Six Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seeinred 1,488 Report post Posted September 14, 2010 Stupid question, but since these draft picks aren't being surrendered to another team but to the NHL, doesn't this just mean that two kids are essentially getting screwed outta of their dream by not getting drafted? How does keeping young future stars out of the NHL benefit anyone? I'm pretty sure that's exactly what it means. There's no provision in the CBA (that I can find, anyway), about those draft picks going anywhere else. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted September 14, 2010 I'm pretty sure that's exactly what it means. There's no provision in the CBA (that I can find, anyway), about those draft picks going anywhere else. They should have a lottery for them or something. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
egroen 384 Report post Posted September 14, 2010 Im pretty sure they are being fined for the first contract that got rejected. But yeah kinda weird they get fined for something that never came to light anyway. Not to mention that are still 3 mill over the cap yet. That sucks...but its NJ so its funny I agree that it's too much, but the contract did come to fruition - the league however had the right to nullify it (based on deeming it salary cap circumvention), •and• fining them as well as taking away future draft picks. The first round just seems excessive to me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
under_par_00 45 Report post Posted September 14, 2010 They should have a lottery for them or something. Pens win Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted September 14, 2010 Pens win Really? I thought the Hawks would. And then at the lottery their fans will be there chanting, "DETROIT SUCKS! DETROIT SUCKS!" 1 crotty99 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gordie Howe hat trick 110 Report post Posted September 14, 2010 Wow that is an inane punishment, and for what? They just had to renegotiate a contract, and risk him going to the KHL. Good job Gary, I hate you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doggy 130 Report post Posted September 14, 2010 (edited) Stupid question, but since these draft picks aren't being surrendered to another team but to the NHL, doesn't this just mean that two kids are essentially getting screwed outta of their dream by not getting drafted? How does keeping young future stars out of the NHL benefit anyone? The NHL is littered with undrafted players, it's hardly "keeping young future stars out". Besides, in 2005 they dropped it from 9 rounds to 7 (60 less picks) and no-one said boo, so I'm pretty sure two less picks less in four years shouldn't cause too dramatic of an impact. Don't you think? Edited September 14, 2010 by Doggy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted September 14, 2010 (edited) Is it possible for the Devils to argue this punishment? This seems in no way fair to them. They certainly aren't the first team to circumvent and the NHL pretty much agrees with that assessment based on their looking into Luongo's and Hossa's contracts, as well as the fact that the amended rules go against multiple players' contracts throughout the league (which are being grandfathered in, apparently). If punishments are going out, why only the Devils? If you can't rightfully justify punishing all teams that circumvented the cap (which you can't) then don't punish anyone. Edited September 14, 2010 by Echolalia Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cusimano_brothers 1,655 Report post Posted September 14, 2010 According to the rules they were dealing with, they did nothing "wrong". Besides, that welt on Lamoriello's wrist will be gone in no time. I can't say the same about the bruise on his ego. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
55fan 5,133 Report post Posted September 14, 2010 I'm pretty sure that lost draft picks go into the ethosphere with the other sock that doesn't come out of the dryer with its mate. Stupid to do this to the Devils. Tell them yes or no, and then let them go on their way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites