NHL accepts Kovalchuk deal
Although the details of the deal have not been released it has been reported that the National Hockey League has accepted a deal that will see Ilya Kovalchuk playing with the New Jersey Devils next season. The deal is thought to be worth fewer years, but with a similar cap hit.
The Devils reportedly submitted a new deal to the NHL today, which is thought to be a 15-year deal worth around $100 million. NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly confirmed that New Jersey did in fact submit a new deal, however he went on to mention that the League now has five days to review the proposed contract.
However, according to reports, Kovalchuk’s agent has only given the NHL 48 hours to accept or decline the deal, and therefore the League is expected to make a decision regarding the contact before the end of the week.
Kovalchuk originally signed a contract with the Devils at the beginning of the month, which saw him making $102 million over 17 years. The League rejected the contract saying that it attempted to circumvent the salary cap and was therefore in violation of the collective bargaining agreement. The NHLPA then filed a grievance for Kovalchuk and the matter was taken to an arbitrator. After deliberation, arbitrator Richard Bloch ruled that the NHL had the right to reject the contact. Since that time the Devils have been working feverishly to get Kovalchuk signed to a new contract.
New Jersey submitted a contract to the NHL earlier this week, which was rejected, based on Kovalchuk’s age at the end of the term. It now appears that the NHL and the Devils have worked out the correct framework for the deal and are prepared to complete the transaction.
Last year with the Devils Kovalchuk recorded 41 goals and 44 assists for 85 points.
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