Smart Move by the NHL

The NHL rejected the Devils/Kovalchuk contract, determining that it was an effort to navigate around the salary cap. A player's cap number is determined by their average salary over the life of the contract. So Kovalchuk's 17 year, $102 million deal would result in a $6 million hit for the Devils. Not bad for a guy with 338 goals and 642 points in 621 games.

The problem is, $98.5 million of that deal was frontloaded into the first 11 years ($8.9 million per season). The remaining 6 years paid $550,000 a season, and served only to lower the overall cap hit. The idea was that Kovalchuk probably wouldn't be playing for $550k at that point. He'd either sign a new deal with the Devils, or with someone else, maybe even in the KHL. But the Devils would get a decade of production from Kovalchuk, and take a $6 million hit instead of a $9 million.

I'm glad the NHL stepped up and negated this deal. I think the NHL cap is too inflexible, with no wiggle room or exemptions for homegrown talent to stay with their original team. But this is the right thing for the NHL to do.

-The Commodore

Source:
AP via Yahoo Sports

I'm Pretty Glad the Bruins Didn't Sign Kovalchuk

Ilya Kovalchuk will be a Devil for a long, long time. 17 more years, to be precise. The 27 year old stud winger signed a 17 year contract worth a total of $102 million. That only works out to be $6 million a year, on average, but the absurd length of the deal makes it worthwhile for him. He'll be receiving paychecks until he's 44. His actual salary will fluctuate up and down, peaking at $11.5 million for a 5 year stretch in the middle of the deal, and settling down to $550,000 a season at the end.

I get why Kovalchuk signed this deal. He's set for life. In my opinion, he could have gotten more salary for shorter years. But then there's a risk of being a 33 year old free agent that nobody wants because of injuries or lackluster performances. And $102 million ain't peanuts. Furthermore, he gets to play in a "big market" (at least close to one) that consistently fields competitive teams.

And while I think I understand what the Devils are thinking, I still think it's kind of crazy. He'll be drawing a $6.5 million salary in 2020. That's a long time from now. If this were Wayne Gretzky, it'd be the smartest signing in history. But as it is, the Devils have committed a lot of cap space for 17 years.

So if this is what Kovalchuk wanted, I'm glad the Bruins didn't even (apparently) place a bid. The Devils have a great scorer, and will have him for a long, long time.

Maybe Kovalchuk just wanted a deal that matched his uniform number (#17).

-The Commodore

Source:
Puck Daddy


Photo Credit:
AP Photo

Devils Land Ilya Kovalchuk

The New Jersey Devils have finally ended the Ilya Kovalchuk sweepstakes. They traded for the star forward yesterday in a package that included rookie forward Niclas Bergfors, defenseman Johnny Oduya, prospect Patrice Cormier and a first-round pick in this year's draft. There are basically 2 ways to look at this...

Short term: The Devils might have a team that could win the Cup now. Kovalchuk gives them exactly what they are missing, a star goal scorer that has the ability to carry a team offensively. When you add a player like this to a team that has a goalie like Martin Brodeur, you are going to be a very dangerous team.

Long term: This is really up in the air. If the Devils can find a way to sign Kovalchuk long term then this is a great deal, but that is going to be really hard to get done, since he has turned down many offers from the Thrashers. If this becomes just a rental the Devils better win the Cup, or they might have really hurt their team for future seasons.

I fucking can't stand the fact the Devils got him. I hate New Jersey, they single handily ruined hockey for about 8 year with their stupid "trap defense". The Devils are basically the reason for a lot of the rule changes (like no 2 line pass rule), because the NHL had to find a way to break the trap. Honestly, if you can remember that style of play it was like watching paint dry.

Fuck the Devils, fuck New Jersey, I hate them more then the Canadiens...

Ilya Kovalchuk To Flyers?

"It looks like teams are lining up to grab Ilya Kovalchuk in case he goes on the market. The latest team lining up might be the Philadelphia Flyers. ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun writes that the Flyers would be interested, if the Thrashers and Kovalchuk can't agree on a deal (ESPN)."

Though these are just rumors at this point a trade here would make a lot of sense to me. The Flyers have some good young talent, and Atlanta has been unable to sign Ilya Kovalchuk to an extension. The Flyers have been underachieving all season, but adding a goal scorer like this could really have a huge affect. Keep an eye on this Philly fans, but also keep an eye out for KHL who might come in and try to steal him with a huge deal.

Another Kovalchuk to Boston Rumor

So maybe this is why the Bruins made those Kobasew/Kessel trades...

"Every day Ilya Kovalchuk doesn't sign an extension with the Thrashers, there are rumors that he'll be traded elsewhere. One possible destination is Boston, James Murphy of NESN reports. The Bruins -- after trading Phil Kessel -- have nine picks spread over the first two round of the 2010 and 2011 drafts, so they will have plenty of assets to deal with. That said, Kovalchuk told ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun he likes it in Atlanta and that he's going to try to get something done soon (ESPN)."

I am a huge Kobasew fan. It really hurt me to see him go, but he was a free agent after this year, and with these trades the Bruins have a shit load of draft picks. Myabe all this is being done, so they can make a big move (like trading for Kovalchuk). Kovalchuk already has 7 goals on the season. I still don't see this trade happening, but man it would be great to see this guy in the Bruins uniform...

Bruins To Sign Ilya Kovalchuk?

"If the Thrashers fail to re-sign Ilya Kovalchuk, the Boston Bruins might get in on the action and sign the star away from Atlanta. WEEI's Joe Haggerty writes, "Pay close attention to the Bruins' interest level throughout the season after they stockpiled draft picks in the Phil Kessel deal. Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli now has eight coveted picks in the first two rounds of the next two drafts, and he owns five of the first 60 picks in next summer's well-stocked draft rife with blue-chip talent. There's nothing too concrete yet, but it could be the beginnings of a big deal to come (ESPN)."

This is very interesting. The Bruins obviously lost some production when they dealt Kessel, though I think a lot of that will be negated by the younger guys on the Bruins maturing. Still, this would be amazing. Kovalchuk had 43 goals and 38 assists last season, and he could be what the Bruins need to be "over the top" in their quest for the Cup.