NHL rejects another Ilya Kovalchuk deal
It has been reported that the National Hockey League has rejected another proposed contract between the New Jersey Devils and forward Ilya Kovalchuk. Although details of the rejected deal have not been released it was said to have still not complied the NHL’s salary cap rules.
Earlier in the month the NHL rejected a 17-year, $102-million contract between the two sides. The deal was said to have circumvented the salary cap and was therefore in violation of the League’s collective bargaining agreement.
Talking to Yahoo! Sports, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly had this to say of the League’s stance on long-term contracts, “I think the guideposts are already out there. I think the clubs and the players and the agents all understand what our response has been to certain types of contracts. And I think every contract is different.”
The Devils are reportedly still in contract negotiations with Kovalchuk’s agent. The Devils are working with limited space underneath the cap this season, as they only have roughly $3.5 million with which to work. This second contract rejection may have changed the likelihood of Kovalchuk returning to New Jersey for 2010-11. The Los Angeles Kings and a return to Russia’s Kontinetal Hockey League have also been mentioned as possible destinations for the sniper.
The possibility of joining the KHL has gathered more steam as the League’s season is set to begin on 8 September and if Kovalchuk wishes to join a Russian side a decision will have to be made shortly. Kovalchuk has also hinted at it in the past, as NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has said it's uncertain whether NHL players would participate in the 2014 Olympics, held in Sochi, Russia. Kovalchuk has sworn he'll be there either way, which could mean a move to the KHL.
In addition to the Kovalchuk contract the NHL is still looking into other long-term contacts around the league such as the Boston Bruins deal with centre Marc Savard and the current deal between the Vancouver Canucks and all-star goaltender Roberto Luongo.
Last season, split between the Devils and the Atlanta Thrashers, Kovalchuk managed 41 goals and 44 assists for 85 points in 76 games.
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