Kovalchuk’s agent sets contract deadline
Ilya Kovalchuks’s agent Yuri Nikolaev has given the National Hockey League 48 hours to resolve his client’s contract with the New Jersey Devils or else he will be playing elsewhere this season.
The Devils originally signed Kovalchuk to a 17-year $102 million deal, which was rejected by the NHL. The deal was said to have attempted to circumvent the League’s salary cap and therefore was in violation of the collective bargaining agreement.
This week it was reported that the Devils submitted a second contract to the NHL for consideration and it was rejected. It seems as though Kovalchuk and his agent have finally grown tired of waiting and need an answer from the League.
Nikolaev is likely in a rush because Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League is set to being on 8 September and if Kovalchuk wishes to sign with a Russian club he will need to do so before that time.
There is a chance that Kovalchuk could still decide to remain in the NHL as the Los Angeles Kings have been said to have interest. However, most experts agree that it is more likely the sniper will sign with a KHL franchise. If the 27-year-old were to commit himself to the Russian league it has already been made clear that he will there for at least one full season. Nikolaev has even mentioned that he has been in contact with KHL giant SKA St. Petersburg.
Nevertheless, it seems as though the Kovalchuk saga, which has been plaguing the NHL all off-season, is about to come to an end this week. With the start up of the KHL and the Devils convening for camp on 17 September a decision must be made quickly.
Last season with the Devils Kovalchuk registered 41 goals and 44 assists for 85 points.
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