12374 replies to this topic

[HOLLYWOOD]

http://prohockeytalk...er&utm_term=NHL

First, here's a quick take from Nick Kypreos.

PA has 5 days to file grievance. Then league/PA must find independent arbitrator that's mutually agreed upon. Root canal sounds more fun!

TSN's James Duthie explains the consequences of a potential arbitration.

If grieved, arbitration is binding. If arb. rules in favour of NHL, he is supposed to fix deal so it "conforms to the requirements" of CBA.

(Darren Dreger added that the deal would be "dead" if the NHL player's association filed a grievance "until an arbitrator decides otherwise.")

John Shannon reports that the contract could either be changed or a grievance could be filed within five days. Cap Geek says that a resolution could be reached within three days in a best case scenario while the worst case scenario would see the deal settled within 15 days. (Ugh.)

Kyle "Spector" Richardson provides a broader explanation of the next possible steps.

So now it's up to either the Devils to restructure & re-file the contract or the PA to grieve it on Kovalchuk's behalf.

Again, it's important to note that the NHL hasn't made an official announcement on the deal being rejected, although that might be a formality at this point. Who knows? This might just be a lot of mildly entertaining banter over a technicality or two, but the two sides could indeed go through an ugly and rare arbitration process. We'll keep you up to date with everything from the rumors to the solid facts as this situation goes along.

[Neb00rs]

No, but Bettman could lose any shred of respect he still has in this league.

What is this "shred of respect" you speak of?

yeah i doubt it has anything to do with the fact that kovalchuk's contract is longer than any of these other contracts

Triumph, I may be irrational and angry but let me be that way. I'll leave the logic and reason to you.

[DrHockey]

could this be related to the stevens/shanahan fiasco in early 90's

Nah. That was done by the book. The free agent rules were very strict at the time - they were essentially forced trades. If the team losing the player didn't accept the other teams' compensation, they could counter with their own proposed compensation. If that was in turn rejected, it went to arbitration where one of the two compensation arrangements would be picked. St. Louis had to compensate for signing Shanahan and the Devils made the case that Rod Brind'amour and Curtis Joseph were useless to them. Hence, Scott Stevens.

[DevsFan7545]

Is there a chance Kovy could leave and sign with someone else??

[njd3b1ink]

So i was listening to some of my Less Than Jake cds and noticed that the chorus of this song sounds like hes saying "thats why they call him Ilya." I know that those are not the actual lyrics but it is pretty damn funny.

Thats why they call him ilya song

[DevsFan7545]

Why doesnt Lou just make the Deal 15 years at 102Mil

Edited by DevsFan7545, 20 July 2010 - 11:11 PM.

[jagknife]

Why doesnt Lou just make the Deal 15 years at 102Mil

cap hit goes from 6 mil to 6.8

not a big deal but then it complicates who you need to trade.

[DevsFan7545]

cap hit goes from 6 mil to 6.8

not a big deal but then it complicates who you need to trade.

Yes but a Kovy signed under a 7mil cap hit is a steal either way

[grcenter47]

my main concern is this:

Is there a possibility that Kovalchuk could leave?

Is this issue just a few tweaks to the contract to make it more acceptable for the NHL?

[DaneykoIsGod]

I have a bad feeling Lou slipped up with his comments today. I mean, why else, in the name of all that which does not suck, would the league wait until after the press conference announcing the signing to reject the contract? Kovalchuk apparently agreed to terms on Saturday. SATURDAY! It's Tuesday freaking night. I honestly can't think of any other reason for the timing to be what it is besides Bettman saying, "Ah jeez, the guy who wrote the contract just came out and said we shouldn't have contracts like this. We're gonna look really bad if we let it slide now."

OK, NOW I'm done. For realsies.

[Neb00rs]

He'll veto our championship and have Caps play the Penguins for the Cup instead

Well played.

[jagknife]

Yes but a Kovy signed under a 7mil cap hit is a steal either way

right, but i think the cap hit got us here to begin with.

bettmans pissed kovy is making less annually than he is. ironic, huh?

Edited by jagknife, 20 July 2010 - 11:17 PM.

[DevsFan7545]

right, but i think the cap hit got us here to begin with.

bettmans pissed kovy is making less annually than he is. ironic, huh?

ha, Lou and the NHLPA will destroy Bettman

[HOLLYWOOD]

Sorry I'm late. I hope it's already been said throughout this thread that this is bullsh!t. Someone in NHL management has an axe to grind with the Devils (who could that be?) and decided to reject this contract. It's probably been said already but if this was the Kings with the same offer it would be a done deal.

AEG is the Almighty Powerful. Anschutz Company clout can influence anyone, obvious now.

Had a feeling this deal wasn't going to be easy... Bettmann is a sellout.

[jagknife]

ha, Lou and the NHLPA will destroy Bettman

god willing, there will be phone calls made tomorrow and this garbage works itself out.

could you imagine if this is another (N)Єverson foul up?

[Daniel]

my main concern is this:

Is there a possibility that Kovalchuk could leave?

Is this issue just a few tweaks to the contract to make it more acceptable for the NHL?

After what he said during the press conference about wanting to settle down in NJ and wanting to win, being committed to the team, etc., it would look VERY bad if he went elsewhere, especially if the re-tweaking didn't significantly alter the money he'd be taking home.

[Prucenterrules]

ha, Lou and the NHLPA will destroy Bettman

[jagknife]

After what he said during the press conference about wanting to settle down in NJ and wanting to win, being committed to the team, etc., it would look VERY bad if he went elsewhere, especially if the re-tweaking didn't significantly alter the money he'd be taking home.

talk about a personal PR nightmare if he tries to go elsewhere

[David Puddy]

my main concern is this:

Is there a possibility that Kovalchuk could leave?

Is this issue just a few tweaks to the contract to make it more acceptable for the NHL?

There's definitely a possibility Kovalchuk could leave. If the deal goes to arbitration and the arbiter rules in favor of the NHL, the contract is void and Kovy is a UFA again. Until then, the options are 1. restructure the contract or 2. the NHLPA files a grievance.

My question is... is it possible that neither of those could happen? i.e., NJ and Kovy can't agree on an NHL-approved contract, but the NHLPA decides not to file a grievance?

[Amberite]

dchesnokov: According to @ehornick Ilya Kovalchuk's agent is supposed to be on XM at 8:05am

Will be interesting to hear what he has to say so. I expect something along the lines of "the deal is 100% CBA-compliant and we have nothing to hide. We will be filing a grievance and going to arbitration"