Thread: Kovalchuk Part VI-The Return of Lombardi?-UPDATE IK A Devil again thread in NHL TALK

Originally Posted by Vrankol

End? This would only be the beginning and you know it.

Drama Button

Yeah, but that's the fun part.

I'm completely okay with seeing Kovalchuk walk to the KHL for a year and seeing New Jersey penalized. Other NHL teams would not take such risks later down the road and I'm sure the next CBA will clearly define limits.

Why is this thread still going?

I don't know, but you posted in it, thus extending its lifespan.

Originally Posted by lithium

Why is this thread still going?

I know why it's still going but I don't know why it's still in this forum.

Dreger: NHL executives anxiously waiting Kovalchuk decision

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One NHL general manager doesn't believe for a second the league will allow this one to pass either, stating Lou Lamoriello, the Devils and Ilya Kovalchuk are simply trying to "disguise circumvention," adding, "trying to hide the crime, makes this even worse."

Regardless, the NHL's dance with the Devils also has some teams wondering how the league will discipline New Jersey once Kovalchuk's case has been settled.

Sources say other teams expect some form of penalty, however the fact the arbitrator found no intent of circumvention while upholding the NHL's original contract rejection may indicate a less severe penalty, if any at all is considered.

A reduction in cap space or draft pick loss is also believed to be a possibility, in the event the league follows through with disciplinary action.

I just read this ^

Couple of thoughts:

It is obvious that the league is uncomfortable with the parameters of a new deal, and that again the Devils and Kovy & Grossman are trying to use the distribution of salary over time as the determining factor in the salary structure.

Secondly the amount planks remaining on the:

has to be very very few. You have to wonder if the unrealistic expectations of a player should have been set straight by grossman before the negotiations started, or perhaps Grossman is the only one that said he would go to bat with this fantasmical contract request.

The next step is either:
1. Grossman is dropped and Kovy is represented by a better agent and who explains to him that 100 million dollars won't buy him happiness.

2. He joins the Kings on a 2 year 20 million dollar contract (BAHAHA)

O and for the record I believe the deal being offered is IDENTICAL to the Kings final offer.

Originally Posted by KingsWord

O and for the record I believe the deal being offered is IDENTICAL to the Kings final offer.

Hasn't it been widely reported that the new deal is a $100M, 15 year offer? That's quite a bit different from Lombardi was offering ($80M/15 years). A 25% increase in cash is significant.

I just don't see how this makes sense for the Devils to want Kovy so desperately. It just seems like a huge risk that won't pay off.