Ilya Kovalchuk to RETIRE ( QUIT )from NHL

[Bomm Bastic]

Devils will be off the hook for contract

Seriouslly?!? Pffffffft....if that don't beat all.

[GretzkysMullet]

They also lose their 1st round pick next year for signing him. ( I think )

Not to mention the fact that he's most likely the reason they couldn't keep Parise. Kovy really messed up that franchise.

[mounD]

They also lose their 1st round pick next year for signing him. ( I think )

Yeah. They still have to forfeit that pick due to the penalty from his contract. I don't imagine it would be retroactively reimbursed after the fact.

Sucks big time.

[mister_mcgoo]

really a dick move if you think about it, especially if as he says he has been thinking about it for a long time...if that is really the case why wouldn't you be up front with the Devils knowing that they wanted to sign you to tons of money for the rest of your career? Then you go and retire at 30. That's just shitty to do to any employer even one you dislike

[dooley89]

Not to mention the fact that he's most likely the reason they couldn't keep Parise. Kovy really messed up that franchise.

triple ****ing whammy
good work kovy lol

[STONE.]

Not to mention the fact that he's most likely the reason they couldn't keep Parise. Kovy really messed up that franchise.

Exactly. Unbelievable.
Poor Corey Schneider owners too. Thinking they had a W-machine, and now....

[Shake]

really a dick move if you think about it, especially if as he says he has been thinking about it for a long time...if that is really the case why wouldn't you be up front with the Devils knowing that they wanted to sign you to tons of money for the rest of your career? Then you go and retire at 30. That's just shitty to do to any employer even one you dislike

So the Devils lose Parise ( partly cause of Kovy) they lose 1st round pick cause of signing Kovy and then they lose Kovy cause of....Kovy.

****ing pathetic.

[Carcillo]

Well isn't this a shocker. WOW.

[TheZamboniGuy]

Statement from Ilya Kovalchuk:

“This decision was something I have thought about for a long time going back to the lockout and spending the year in Russia. Though I decided to return this past season, Lou was aware of my desire to go back home and have my family there with me. The most difficult thing for me is to leave the New Jersey Devils, a great organization that I have a lot of respect for, and our fans that have been great to me.”

yeah he stole the NJ organisation a 1st round pick get out Parise because of his signing and now he is on a plane for Russia BYE BYE amigo ahhahahah ...this is not fun. :P

[mounD]

So the Devils lose Parise ( partly cause of Kovy) they lose 1st round pick cause of signing Kovy and then they lose Kovy cause of....Kovy.

****ing pathetic.

When athletes go bad ... franchises can be set back immensely. I wonder how much time until all the damage caused by Kovalchuk can be reversed. What must Parise be thinking right now?

[lucifer316]

my bad first lockout not second lockout

the league needs fewer lockouts

[metaldude26]

Does the Luongo rule come into effect here as well? Did Kovalchuk finally cripple the Devils irreparably?

I'm flabbergasted.

[Rylant]

I will say this. IF he TRULY retires and spends time with his family, I will be able to look past this because he is coming across as at least partially honest. However, IF he "retires" and somehow ends up playing in the KHL, he gives Bobby Brown a run for his money as "world's biggest douchebag".

Rylant

[lucifer316]

Does the Luongo rule come into effect here as well? Did Kovalchuk finally cripple the Devils irreparably?

I'm flabbergasted.

$250k per year against the cap until 24-25

so no

[STONE.]

Well Devils fans! Say hello to your new favorite player!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fnjbug0P8h8