Devils, Kovalchuk Rejected Again

[thepolishkid88]

A second attempt by the New Jersey Devils to sign free agent Ilya Kovalchuk has reportedly been turned down by the NHL.

According to the New York Post, the Devils and Kovalchuk presented the framework for a new deal on Monday but the league would not allow it.

However, Yahoo! Sports reports that NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly met with representatives of the Devils and Kovalchuk on Monday, saying "there was no new contract submitted," but that the sides "talked conceptually."

"I think the guideposts are already out there," Daly told Yahoo! Sports. "I think the clubs and the players and the agents all understand what our response has been to certain types of contracts. And I think every contract is different."

Earlier this month, the two sides agreed on a 17-year, $102 million deal that was rejected by the NHL on claims it circumvented the salary cap. The NHLPA filed a grievance but the league's decision was upheld by an arbitrator.

Now with the KHL season starting on September 8th, the report indicates Kovalchuk's return to Russia could become a stronger factor in the sniper's decision on where to play this upcoming season.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=331620

there were rumors yesterday the Devils submitted Kovalchuks birth certificate as well, claiming he was 4 years younger. Who knows at this point what will happen.

[lakingsfan19]

Puck Daddy's Dmitry Chesnokov learned yesterday evening that the NHL had rejected the "framework" of a deal between the New Jersey Devils and free-agent winger Ilya Kovalchuk(notes) on Tuesday.

To reiterate the NY Post's report from early this morning: There was no contract signed and submitted to the League, but rather a proposed structure for a new Kovalchuk contract.

According to a source with knowledge of the negotiation, the term of the contract was in the neighborhood of 15 years, and it was the term that appeared to be the point of contention between the sides. NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly couldn't confirm the 15-year figure when we requested comment last night.

Dmitry also passes along the following: "We also learned that all sides were working deep into the night on the new framework, and nothing was final in any sense."

This was expected. The NHL doesn't just own all the cards right now in this poker game -- its name is on the outside of the casino.

We heard last week that the dialogue between the League, the Devils and agent Jay Grossman was ongoing; Monday's meeting of the minds in one location appeared to be the endgame, but obviously not.

The Richard Bloch arbitration ruling -- one that upheld the League's rejection of the initial 17-year, $102 million contract -- has given the League two critical mandates:

First, that even a contract similar in construction to that or Marian Hossa(notes) or Roberto Luongo(notes) could still be found to be in violation of the CBA; and second, that another round of arbitration over another rejected contract will come with Bloch's precedent-setting ruling on several "suspicious" aspects of the deal (the no-trade clause trigger, the base salary drops, etc.).

The NHL has time on its side; the Devils and Kovalchuk do not. This is killing their marketing of the upcoming season: Not a single mention of Kovalchuk on the Devils' official website's front page right now, for example. But it does appear that Kovalchuk and the Devils are going to see this thing through. ....

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puc...urn=nhl-265063

[RetardedChimp]

They should fine the Devils for wasting everyone's time.

[PotvinSucks]

Originally Posted by RetardedChimp

They should fine the Devils for wasting everyone's time.

This drama has gotten beyond stupid. Although, good for the Devils, this is the most media attention theyve gotten since....since....uhhh.....anyone?

[Machinehead2k5]

Originally Posted by PotvinSucks

This drama has gotten beyond stupid. Although, good for the Devils, this is the most media attention theyve gotten since....since....uhhh.....anyone?

Avery dancing for Fatso and MATTEAU!!! MATTEAU!!! MATTEAU!!!

[thepolishkid88]

There is just so much speculation running around. I really wish they would just sign a deal already. You know what I am waiting for is Kovalchuk to sign a 1yr deal and go through this all over again next summer.

[Machinehead2k5]

If Kovy was smart and wanted to shut up the critics he'd sign a $5mil/yr contract and have his AGENT negociate throughout the season.

[Philly Reign]

Originally Posted by thepolishkid88

There is just so much speculation running around. I really wish they would just sign a deal already. You know what I am waiting for is Kovalchuk to sign a 1yr deal and go through this all over again next summer.

The Favre of the NHL.

[Philly Reign]

Originally Posted by Machinehead2k5

If Kovy was smart and wanted to shut up the critics he'd sign a $5mil/yr contract and have his AGENT negociate throughout the season.

Dude, that is so funny you said that cause I mentioned that almost verbatim to some coworkers earlier today.

[gdameo]

I'm getting tired of this. Kovy - just leave to KHL. Do it. Go on the very next flight. Nobody care about you. You are NOT the "Lebron James" of NHL. Get the fk out of here. Seriously.

[BrianTheAdsFan]

Originally Posted by Machinehead2k5

If Kovy was smart and wanted to shut up the critics he'd sign a $5mil/yr contract and have his AGENT negociate throughout the season.

Why would he do that? So he can make less money than before and possibly lose any kind of negotiating power he has if he gets seriously injured during a one year contract?

[I_am_Belak_2]

Originally Posted by thepolishkid88

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=331620

there were rumors yesterday the Devils submitted Kovalchuks birth certificate as well, claiming he was 4 years younger.

Now THAT is comedy gold right there... I thought Lou waas smarter than this?

[NJD Oliwa]

Originally Posted by gdameo

I'm getting tired of this. Kovy - just leave to KHL. Do it. Go on the very next flight. Nobody care about you. You are NOT the "Lebron James" of NHL. Get the fk out of here. Seriously.

It's not his fault that the league will not approve his contracts. Contracts that are similar to ones that have already been accepted.

And why should he "settle" for some small salary when his is worth considerably more?

Would you take less money than you are worth at your job just to appease some douchebags on the internet who are tired of waiting for the deal to be done?

[thepolishkid88]

Originally Posted by I_am_Belak_2

Now THAT is comedy gold right there... I thought Lou waas smarter than this?

I think the man is just doing what any of us would. He is trying to find a way around the cap so he can keep his core together. I applaud Lou and Kovy for trying to do what they are doing but it's just becoming a giant migrane anymore.

[Ciccarelli]

The league is so stupid. I bet if their poster-boy Sidney Crosby would have signed a 30 year deal they would have done nothing to reject that contract.

How can they aprove similar deals in the past and keep rejecting this deals now? Not that I'm for this deals, I hate this longterm deals but the league should be ashamed to aprove other deals the last 2-3 years and now that they got it they reject this deals. It just seems unfair for the Devils and for Kovy and guys in Philly, Vancouver or Chicago can laugh at them.