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Reports: NHL to Approve Ilya Kovalchuk Contract with New Jersey Devils
by John Fischer on Sep 3, 2010 4:30 PM EDT
in Devils Issues & Views
59 comments
If you wanted to see Ilya Kovalchuk re-signed as a New Jersey Devil or at least an end to this summer-long saga of the Devils and Kovalchuk trying to work out a contract the NHL would approve, then today may be your lucky day. Reports are coming out that the NHL will accept the $100 million, 15 year contract between the New Jersey Devils and Ilya Kovalchuk.
There are multiple reports, here are a few. First, Darren Dreger of TSN has reported that the NHL will accept the contract as part of a larger agreement between the NHL and NHLPA about CBA negotiations. Second, even ESPN has a short blurb reporting the same news. Third, Sportsnet has went a little further, with a big graphic along with the year-by-year breakdown of the contract. Fourth, Tom Gulitti also reports that the deal will be accepted, along with the reminder that the Devils now have to get underneath the salary cap.
Nothing is official from the NHL just yet; but given that major hockey media outlets and reporters are confident enough to report it, I'm confident enough to join in - hoping there aren't any more surprises. There will definitely be more details later, especially about what amendments to the CBA will be made; so expect this post to be updated later today.
And before anyone asks, here are my thoughts on who the Devils should to trade away to get underneath the salary cap. Posted back in mid-July, you know, when the Devils made the first signing. It's still applicable today unless something goes horribly awry before 5 PM. Either way, good luck to Lou for going to have make some deals in less than a month. But for now, Lou, Jeff Vanderbeek, Ilya Kovalchuk, Jay Grossman, the players, the coaches, the marketing staff, and the many Devils fans all around the world can breathe a little easier.
UPDATE #1: ESPN has updated their story with this crucial line from the AP.
Jay Grossman, Kovalchuk's agent, confirmed the agreement in an e-mail, The Associated Press reported.
I think it's happening. Here's a second bit. With respect to CBA amendments, normally the NHLPA has to vote on it and get 20 out of 30 votes for approval. Tom Gulitti reported that's not needed in this tweet:
Correctiion. NHLPA board gave pre-authorization to negotiators to make this deal, so no vote will be needed.
I really think it's happening now. Speaking of CBA changes, Larry Brooks tweeted this take, saying the amendment move is a "victory" for other clubs. Not sure what the amendment exactly is, but per this tweet by Nick Kypreos, it appears that contracts won't use years beyond age 40 for the player to reduce the cap hit of a contract. If that's true, then based on Brooks' tweet, it's probably a stepping stone for hard term limits for the next CBA in 2012 - so teams, get your guys locked up long term in 2011! More later.
One more thing: Thanks to Matt in the comments for finding this: Sovietsky Sport's Pavel Lysenkov just called Kovalchuk and tweeted:
Just phoned Kovalchuk. "Ilya, can I congratulate you?" Contract approved? " - "Yes, true. Thank you," - Kovalchuk confirmed.
It's so close, you can taste it.
The 9/3 Kovalchuk Discussion Post
Do you have something Kovalchuk related to discuss? Want to post breaking news? Please put it here.
Rules, as usual, always apply. At this point, who knows what will actually happen. Training camp starts in 2 weeks, who knows who will be signed or not.
The Kovalchuk Saga: Assigning Blame
by Tom Stivali on Sep 2, 2010 8:58 PM EDT
in What Do You Think?
39 comments
I had planned to write about Nick Palmieri, the Devils overall right wing system depth or minute distribution on the power play but I just can’t. Not when the contract negotiation to retain Ilya Kovalchuk has gotten to the far reaches of absurdity, and I really can't focus on other issues right now. Normally I love the hockey offseason and all the speculation and forecasting that comes along with it, but as we approach training camp (you all realize training camp starts in 15 days, right?) the top focus for fans and even team management’s minds is: Ilya Kovalchuk’s contract approval or lack thereof.
How did we get here? The Standard Player Contract (SPC) is 11 pages. Here is the CBA. Turn to page 244 and see for yourself. It's standard, very little editing. This process of negotiating a second contract, acceptable to the Devils, Kovalchuk and the league has taken over a month. So I think all of them deserve a certain amount of blame in why this process has dragged on. So, as I repeatedly hit refresh on my blackberry or twitter in search of news on a process that never seems to end, I decided to think about and write about who to assign blame to in this situation. Read on after the jump for my thoughts!
Devils Quick Links: Kovalchuk Contract Deadline Extended
by Matthew Ventolo on Sep 2, 2010 2:06 PM EDT
in Miscellaneous
10 comments
Wednesday was supposed to be the day of all days. The New Jersey Devils and Ilya Kovalchuk submitted a contract last Friday, and by rule of the CBA, the NHL was to supposed to accept or reject the contract by Wednesday, 5 p.m. ET. Instead, the NHL and NHLPA mutually agreed to extend the deadline 48 hours to Friday 5 p.m. ET. So Friday will be the day of all days, at least for now. Here's some links around the hockey world pertaining to this fiasco.
Lamoriello statement on deadline extension - Shortly after the NHL announced the extension, Devils President/CEO/GM Lou Lamoriello issued a very basic, predictable statement. He, the Devils, and Kovalchuk have no authority here, and just have to sit and wait until Friday afternoon. Lamoriello is staying positive about the submitted contract.
No decision today on Ilya Kovalchuk contract; deadline extended - Rich Chere of The Star-Ledger has a good breakdown
of the Kovalchuk Saga. He also put up a year-by-year breakdown of the 15yrs/$100million contract that was submitted.
Devils right wing David Clarkson tests endurance in ride with Lance Armstrong - OK, this has nothing to do with Ilya Kovalchuk. But if you're sick of hearing his name, and words like "circumvention" or "Collective Bargaining Agreement," then I suggest reading this by Tom Gulitti of the Bergen Record.
The Finalized Devils Exposed List for the SBN Mock Expansion Draft
Based on the writers' lists and the feedback in the comments to the linked post, I have come up with the protection list for the New Jersey Devils and submitted to SBN Hockey for the ensuing draft. Thanks for your feedback.
For the sake of simplicity, here's who would be exposed. Needless to say, the mock expansion draft is a good way to clear some salary for some guy the Devils could be signing if the NHL ever allows it. Anyone not listed is protected and/or exempt:
Unprotected Goaltender: Johan Hedberg
Unprotected Defensemen: Bryce Salvador, Colin White
Unprotected Forwards: Brian Rolston, Rod Pelley
Full lists across the network will be out on Thursday, so Mock Expansion GMs Gabe Desjardins and James Mirtle can take a look at them all.
No Decision: NHL and PA Extend Deadline on Ilya Kovalchuk Contract to Friday
by John Fischer on Sep 1, 2010 5:03 PM EDT
in Devils Issues & Views
88 comments
Last Friday, the New Jersey Devils submitted a contract with Ilya Kovalchuk to the NHL offices. According to the Collective Bargaining Agreement, in Article 11.5(d), the NHL has 5 days to approve or reject the contract. I've discussed this yesterday, and there was discussion and anticipation all day today, hockey fans were awaiting some kind of conclusion. Today would be the fifth day. The decision was essentially simple for the NHL: accept the contract or reject the contract. Yes or no.
I'll be brief: This is garbage. It's just about excremental as it just stinks all the way around.
Let's me ask some difficult questions.
First, the NHL took a whopping one day to reject the first contract the Devils submitted in July. One day. Maybe not even 24 hours. Still, it was a pretty quick decision. Ergo, it's not like it takes a while for contracts to be reviewed for acceptance or rejection. What makes this deal that much more difficult to decide upon?
Second, Bill Daly was willing to tell me of all people that they made it clear to the clubs what they would allow in future registered comments. Surely, if the league made it clear to the clubs what would and would not be accepted, then a decision should be easy to make, right? So what's the hold up? Did this deal do something the NHL didn't even consider? Or did the NHL never really made it all that clear to begin with, and Daly was just blowing smoke?
Third, the union decided to lie down for the league in allowing this extension. I'm presuming they could have said no to an extension, and forced a decision. Why would the union do this at all? What does the PA get out of extending the deadline? How is one of their constituents, much less the entire New Jersey Devils squad, helped by having to wait even longer for a decision to be made?
In fact: Why the NHL even needs this much time? Are they still looking for something to "catch" the Devils or Kovalchuk on in this contract to justify a rejection? Are they honestly divided upon what to do with the deal? Are they just making a point other that the NHL is more than willing to be publicly petulant and bush-league? Are they even aware that a lot of Devils fans now justifiably feel that the league has it in for them in that they aren't doing anything like this to other teams who have similar contracts?
At least Lou is confident, given this statement from the official website. But I can't imagine he's happy either.
There better be something incredibly valid to force the league to sit on this deal for a whole week. I have a feeling we will all be disappointed (and outraged) when the reasoning is revealed - if it is ever revealed.
For a situation that required a yes or a no, the NHL chose to stretch this out. Why? I couldn't tell you. I'd love to tell you an answer but there isn't one at the moment. I'd be honestly surprised if I get an answer to any of these questions. Admittedly, I'm further sick of rumors and speculation and rationalization and reports from "sources" and other news that turned out to be mistaken. We were supposed to have something today and at the end, the NHL chose to wait some more. We're now supposed to get a decision by Friday; but honestly, I don't know why I should put faith in the league making one by then.
Thanks for reading all the same. Please leave your thoughts in the comments, remember the rules are in effect, and someone let me know when the excuses start rolling in from the league and/or the union.
NHL and NHLPA Extend Deadline for Kovalchuk Decision
The NHL must accept or reject the deal by Friday, 5 p.m. ET. This is certainly unexpected. Was 5 days not enough time to read 11 pages of a SPC? The NHLPA mutually agreed, which is also interesting. It's going to be a fun 48 hours.
The Ilya Kovalchuk & Second New Jersey Devils Contract Discussion Post
by John Fischer on Sep 1, 2010 1:00 AM EDT
in Devils Issues & Views
227 comments
Welcome to an open post for the second Ilya Kovalchuk contract with the New Jersey Devils. The first contract was rejected, grieved by the union, and ultimately the rejection was sustained by an arbitrator. After additional negotiation and talks, the Devils submitted a second contract to the NHL on Friday. Per the CBA, the NHL has up to five days to approve or reject the contract. If the league takes no action at 5 PM, then the contract would be accepted as-is. Though, according to Tom Gulitti, that's not likely going to happen.
So far, the NHL has done nothing. The most recent bit information on Tuesday comes from Nick Kypreos of Sportsnet, who got a year-by-year breakdown of the contract. Here's a truncation of that list, all numbers are in millions.
6, 6, 11, 11.3, 11.3, 11.6, 11.8, 10, 7, 4, 1, 1, 1, 3, 4
I've offered my take on the whole mess last night. One way or another, there will be some conclusion - whether Kovalchuk will be a Devil for this contract, or whether this contract is deemed unacceptable by the league for some reason. Admittedly, I'm not seeing the problem with this deal; but then, I didn't see a problem with the first one - and my reasoning was thrown into the garbage can of history.
A lot of today's news with respect to the Devils if not the NHL as a whole will be focused on Kovalchuk. So, to centralize it all, please use the comments to this post to discuss any and all things Kovalchuk-related. Nothing else. Kovalchuk-only comments. Want to discuss how this is silly? Go ahead. Want to talk about Kovalchuk as a player? Fine. But no other topics as this is the Kovalchuk discussion post. As a non-exhaustive list of examples: please do not discuss about blogs, reporters, Brian Burke, calling Gary Bettman the oh-so-clever "Buttman," lamenting a lockout/strike in 2012, and so forth. A few more ground rules just to emphasize them:
Please place all updates from Twitter or other news sites about Kovalchuk in this post. Do not make a new FanShot or FanPost, link them here. This way all of this can be confined to one location. Don't link to twitter feeds or blogs, link to the actual tweet or post. The timestamp in Twitter acts as a perma-link; and use the link tool in the comments so long URLs aren't cut-off. Please only link to credible sources (e.g. Tom Gulitti, Rich Chere, anyone at Sportsnet or TSN, etc.) and ignore the fools (e.g. Eklund, NHLSourcesSay, etc.). Please link to actual news and facts, the less clutter and rumors - the better for all who read this site.
Above all, should the deal be accepted or rejected, please follow the rules at all times. That means no cursing should something not go your way. That means no inappropriate content. Supporters of other teams are welcomed, but are expected to behave too. Regulars here should treat them like anyone else. If you can't handle following the rules for whatever reason, then please refrain from commenting until you can. Whatever happens, we'll hope to get a post up during the day. Thanks for reading, I'll be checking in through the day.
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