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

Originally Posted by Bogey

The arbitrator will rule in favor of the NHL, NJ will get a slap on the wrist, they'll take a couple years off the back end, raise the salary of the remaining back end years to $1M, raising the cap hit a little bit, and Kovalchuk will remain with NJ.

Should the NHL win this case, I think this is most likely scenario.

However, I think the NHL has a very good chance of losing the case. The contracts of Luongo, Hossa, and Pronger, while admittedly not as egregious as Kovalchuk's contract, did set a precedent for contracts like this.

Report: Richard Bloch named Ilya Kovalchuk arbitrator - NHL Free Agency 2010

I'm amused that a New Jersey native has been selected to arbitrate.

Originally Posted by USCKingsFan31

Report: Richard Bloch named Ilya Kovalchuk arbitrator - NHL Free Agency 2010

I'm amused that a New Jersey native has been selected to arbitrate.

Sounds like he could reasonably be a Caps or Red Wings fan, though.

just for the sake of argument, let's say that the contract is deemed void, he is once again an FA, and NJ loses 2 mil in cap room from at least their 2010-11 season.

modified contract plus penalties would be ~9.5 mil cap hit.


would the devils even try to sign him?

Since a ruling is expected to be made within 48 hours once an arbiter is chosen... this should be announced by Wednesday.

Originally Posted by KingFanMGM

Since a ruling is expected to be made within 48 hours once an arbiter is chosen... this should be announced by Wednesday.

Report: Richard Bloch named Ilya Kovalchuk arbitrator - NHL Free Agency 2010

"The hearing is expected to begin this coming Wednesday and Bloch should have a decision by the weekend."

edit: i wasn't talking about the ruling -- i was talking about the potential fallout after it.

I know this particular case will set future precedent for all others that will follow. There have been many scenarios thrown about in regards to what will happen if one ruling or another is made. Kovalchuk wins and so does the NHLPA, making way for more ridiculous deals. NHL wins and the bidding war starts all over for Kovalchuk's services. New Jersey IMHO loses no matter what, facing possible fines and losing face to the league. In the end the only winners are the fans. So many fans (including myself) have learned more about the inner workings of the hockey deal than in any other year since the lockout. Plus; hockey is in the news during the summer. Hopefully the decision made in this arbitration will end up being more important than where Kovalchuk ends up.

Well the hearing is over...now we(well at least I) await the decision. I gotta think that if Bettmen had his way, if the NHL were to lose, he would want the announcement to be made on Friday so that it sort of gets absorbed by the weekend. Part of me is thinking that if it goes to Monday it's gonna be in favor of the NHL, but I am paranoid, so...

Originally Posted by jerseydevil

Well the hearing is over...now we(well at least I) await the decision.

link please.