Given the language of Richard Bloch's ruling that sustained the NHL's rejection of New Jersey's contract with Ilya Kovalchuk, I ask an important yet difficult question: What exactly is the "line in the sand" now for future NHL contracts?
The arbitration hearing between the NHL and the NHLPA over the league's rejection of the contract between Ilya Kovalchuk and the New Jersey Devils ended today. I summarize all of the reported news and find that all procedures have followed Article 11.6(a) of the CBA.
After explaining why I don't think Ilya Kovalchuk's contract with the New Jersey Devils violated Article 50, I explain that the current procedure after rejection that's being followed is Article 11.6 and people shouldn't worry about Article 26.13.
The NHL rejected Ilya Kovalchuk's contract this evening - AFTER the Devils have announced it with a press conference. I am stunned with not only why this is happening but also with why this is happening now.
