Kovalchuk staying in KHL...

[Carcillo]

If he voids the deal he aint comin back

He can't unilaterally void his deal. Not sure the Devils can do it either even if Kovy is in breach of his contract. If Kovy stays in Russia then Devils will suspend him and if he returns to NA that contract is still valid. Would be a messy situation with it being a long-term deal (vs. Radulov situation) but still the Devils would certainly love to have a world class player on their team if he wants to return.

But the point is moot. Kovy will be back in New Jersey next week and all of this will be forgotten and Kovy and Devils are one happy family again.

[ericdaoust]

Kovalchuk's cap hit is actually very reasonable but for a small market team like New Jersey with possible ownership issues voiding that deal would be huge. You are talking about not having to pay over $10 million every year for the next five years plus another $11 million this year (although with the lockout killing half the season half the contract is already killed.) That's tangible.

And I realize that the New Jersey ownership situation has technically been settled but with these guys it never seems to really be settled.

I don't think there's a chance in hell the Devils would consider using one of the amnesty buyouts on Kovalchuk but I do think they'd give serious consideration to letting him walk if it voided their salary commitment. I mean, the Devils already got what they wanted out of Kovalchuk, they got to be a contender for a year and went all the way to the Final. I think it makes sense to let him go if possible.

If they buy him out they still have to pay him. So 2/3 of that huge chunk of dough is tangible as well. I think I'd rather own him and get some money back from what he brings to the table.

[loco man]

He can't unilaterally void his deal. Not sure the Devils can do it either even if Kovy is in breach of his contract. If Kovy stays in Russia then Devils will suspend him and if he returns to NA that contract is still valid. Would be a messy situation with it being a long-term deal (vs. Radulov situation) but still the Devils would certainly love to have a world class player on their team if he wants to return.

But the point is moot. Kovy will be back in New Jersey next week and all of this will be forgotten and Kovy and Devils are one happy family again.

I'm searching for it, but I thought Bill Daly said that his contract would be voided if he did not show up for camp. I know I saw it somewhere.

Either way, the fact that he SAID he would rather play in Russia than pull on a Devils jersey speaks volumes. Ya, he may be forced back, but how the hell does he look at his mates in the eye. If there is a way out of this mess for the Devils, I say they jump at it.

I could see his agent arranging a mutual walk away agreement and we call it no harm no foul.

[Carcillo]

Either way, the fact that he SAID he would rather play in Russia than pull on a Devils jersey speaks volumes.

I'd love to see that exact quote.

I know he's said about it being possible that he stays in Russia but to expressly say "I'd rather play for SKA than for the Devils"? Not buying it unless I see it myself.

[ericdaoust]

Either way, the fact that he SAID he would rather play in Russia than pull on a Devils jersey speaks volumes. Ya, he may be forced back, but how the hell does he look at his mates in the eye. If there is a way out of this mess for the Devils, I say they jump at it.

Why would he have to look at his mates in the eye anyway? Who cares if he said (and this is debatable) that he would rather play somewhere else? The NHL isn't a cult where you have to sell your soul to the owner. It's their job. All he has to do is go back to New Jersey and produce.

[loco man]

"I want to stay in St. Petersburg but I have contractual obligations in the NHL, which will be hard to break," Kovalchuk said. "Right now, I can't imagine how (my staying in the KHL) can be arranged... But I don't know anything yet."

Unless it was an impostor, it seems like a legit quote and a legit source. Slava Malamud is a writer for Russia's Sport-Express so I'll take it. At the very least, these quotes are out there and Kovy is not rushing to clarify his statements.

Now I can see the argument that he is just trying to be nice to the fans in Russia, but when he comes out and states that he WANTS to stay in the KHL, but is obligated by his contract, you can only spin that so much. Pretty much the wrong thing to say and guarenteed to piss off your team and owners. Hell, it sounds like if his agent could get him out of the contract, he'd be all over it.

Pretty damning IMO

[loco man]

Why would he have to look at his mates in the eye anyway? Who cares if he said (and this is debatable) that he would rather play somewhere else? The NHL isn't a cult where you have to sell your soul to the owner. It's their job. All he has to do is go back to New Jersey and produce.

I'm pretty sure I would be furious if I was the owners or his teammates if he came out and said he would prefer to be elsewhere. I think it does have an impact. Lockeroom cancers are usually shown the door - see Carter and Richards (allegedly). No real reason to move either of those guys, but they were shown the door abruptly.

Just my opinion, but I think this is the last thing NJ wants or needs and must be pissed.

[27Blue]

I don't think there's a chance in hell the Devils would consider using one of the amnesty buyouts on Kovalchuk but I do think they'd give serious consideration to letting him walk if it voided their salary commitment. I mean, the Devils already got what they wanted out of Kovalchuk, they got to be a contender for a year and went all the way to the Final. I think it makes sense to let him go if possible.

i can't imagine the devils NOT wanting him back. this team was almost bankrupt and taken over by the nhl last year. kovie is one of the only things bringing fans to the arena in jersey (and not even he can fill the arena) but without him (and parise and brodeur soon), well, the devils would be in for a world of hurt... even with him, they are one of thelower spending teams in the league...

[lucifer316]

see…

"I want to stay in St. Petersburg but I have contractual obligations in the NHL, which will be hard to break," Kovalchuk said. "Right now, I can't imagine how (my staying in the KHL) can be arranged... But I don't know anything yet."

Unless it was an impostor, it seems like a legit quote and a legit source. Slava Malamud is a writer for Russia's Sport-Express so I'll take it. At the very least, these quotes are out there and Kovy is not rushing to clarify his statements.

Now I can see the argument that he is just trying to be nice to the fans in Russia, but when he comes out and states that he WANTS to stay in the KHL, but is obligated by his contract, you can only spin that so much. Pretty much the wrong thing to say and guarenteed to piss off your team and owners. Hell, it sounds like if his agent could get him out of the contract, he'd be all over it.

Pretty damning IMO

malamud clarifies that kovy was speaking to the rest of this season not his entire career

[ericdaoust]

I'm pretty sure I would be furious if I was the owners or his teammates if he came out and said he would prefer to be elsewhere. I think it does have an impact. Lockeroom cancers are usually shown the door - see Carter and Richards (allegedly). No real reason to move either of those guys, but they were shown the door abruptly.

Just my opinion, but I think this is the last thing NJ wants or needs and must be pissed.

I think that team family aspect is pretty overrated most of the time. People should just show up and do their jobs.

[loco man]

I think that team family aspect is pretty overrated most of the time. People should just show up and do their jobs.

I agree.

Just that in this case, with the history (Lou apparently forced to make this deal), the huge dollars committed, the new CBA and now Kovy saying hed rather stay in Russia just adds up to one huge headache that the Devils may want to get out from under.

Hard to predict - I am actually debating going after Kovy in a deal, but already got burned by Rads and now may have talked myself out of it lol

[loco man]

malamud clarifies that kovy was speaking to the rest of this season not his entire career

I only meant for this year. It is still a huge slap in the face to the team to say that he'll just opt out for the year, then see em all next season. "Good luck boys! I'll be thinking of ya!"

If he does that, he is done in NJ.

[lucifer316]

I only meant for this year. It is still a huge slap in the face to the team to say that he'll just opt out for the year, then see em all next season. "Good luck boys! I'll be thinking of ya!"

If he does that, he is done in NJ.

none of us know how the other players feel about this

[rtstr]

I'm pretty sure I would be furious if I was the owners or his teammates if he came out and said he would prefer to be elsewhere. I think it does have an impact. Lockeroom cancers are usually shown the door - see Carter and Richards (allegedly). No real reason to move either of those guys, but they were shown the door abruptly.

Just my opinion, but I think this is the last thing NJ wants or needs and must be pissed.

Carter and Richards weren't just lockerroom cancers, they were lockerroom cokeheads.

Kovy'll come back and score 20+ goals this season.

[ericdaoust]

Kovy'll come back and score 20+ goals this season.

At first I thought you were implying that he would have an off-year, but now I remember that 20 goals is a good thing. FU Bettman & Fehr.