Thread: Kovalchuk part V, The NHL Strikes Back, NHLPA files Grievance (All Discussion Here )

Lou is a smart guy. It wouldn't surprise me to find out that he's pushing behind the scenes to get the NHL to reject the contract. At the end of the day, he'll be able to say to Grossman, "well, we tried", then have the upper hand to sign Kovi to a reasonable contract.

Originally Posted by salami

Not necessarily. The rule states that the commish may institute a fine, the minimum of which must be $1MM. Bettman will likely waive the fine.

I agree completely with the statement, but when I was reading the CBA to come to that conclusion my thought was "why the hell is there a minimum fine that MAY be applied". Not sure why that's there at all but I do think that GB doesn't issue it unless there is pressure from other owners to do so.
Who knows maybe they can all get pissed off at each other enough to put out some offer sheets.

Originally Posted by jerseydevil

This is a terrific post, really, but the be all end all in my opinion is that the NHL approved Hossa/DiPietro etc, which were arguably as egregious as far as intent. Why do they take a stand on this one? You can't close the door once the horses are out. Yes, it is a silly silly deal, but them's the rules as they have been played so far. Bettman, a lawyer, should realize a loophole when he sees one. Anyone have any idea if the Devils can appeal this decision, what a timetable would be, and what the possible outcomes may be?
As a Devils fan I find it unusual that Bettman constantly seems to change things as far as the Devils are concerned. The reaction to playing defense(you all call it the trap), the goalie puck handling restrictions, and now this. Not whining or calling conspiracy...but whoever said 'don't boo Bettman' at the draft can kiss my red/black/and white striped ass in Macy's window.

Hard to find fault with DiPietro's deal. It's 15 years at 4.5M per season, isn't it? Only thing that is in play is if he retires before 35.

Luongo, Kipper, and so many more definitely help make your point, however.

Everyone just assumes it IK's decision to re-negotiate with the Devils if the contract gets voided. What if it gets voided, and the Devils decide not to re-negotiate because of the cap hit. Do you really think theyre going to take a cap hit of $7M-$8M a year for 12-14 years? IK is going to have to take a pretty big pay cut or he will be an UFA again. That doesnt even take into account the possibility of a fine levied against their cap this year.

Originally Posted by salami

Lou is a smart guy. It wouldn't surprise me to find out that he's pushing behind the scenes to get the NHL to reject the contract. At the end of the day, he'll be able to say to Grossman, "well, we tried", then have the upper hand to sign Kovi to a reasonable contract.

Clearly he was displeased and embarrassed at the terms, and with Kovy's statement, no way he's going anywhere else. Seems risky, but if this was indeed Lou's agenda, I'm going to commission a marble bust of him and put a place it on a pedestal in my living room.

Hell, there might be one of those busts already on eBay.

Here's my more detailed prediction of how this will all play out: Devils and Kovy work out a new contract which is somewhere between the original deal and the Kings' offer: 14 - 15 years/$95 - $100 mil. A bit more money on the back end, which Kovy most likely has to leave on the table at the end of his career. Either no fine or a symbolic fine imposed by the NHL.

Down Goes Brown: Leaked: Ilya Kovalchuk's contract - Toronto Maple Leafs Blog - Humor. Commentary. Despair.

Nice.

Originally Posted by salami

Lou is a smart guy. It wouldn't surprise me to find out that he's pushing behind the scenes to get the NHL to reject the contract. At the end of the day, he'll be able to say to Grossman, "well, we tried", then have the upper hand to sign Kovi to a reasonable contract.

IMO, I don't think this is Lou on his own. Ownership had to have bought in. GM's don't publicly make statements like that without tantamount owner approval.

I believe at some point the money and terms became so ridiculous that the Devils realized they were bidding against themselves and to "Salvage" something they upped it to the point where they figured the deal would get nixed.

And after the fact get a more reasonable contract out of the player and agent.

But if they did and it does get out they did do something. How do they continue to negotiate with other players in good faith?


I think at the end of the day the owners got bit by their own zealousness and when the champagne wore off and reality hit them in the face.

They pushed old Lou out there to make a contract they wanted go away.