Even when I look at this move, I think to myself, "That's gotta be the biggest deal in NHL history, maybe even bigger than the Joe Thornton deal San Jose gave him years ago when they traded for him. What I'm talking about, actually, is Ilya Kovalchuk's 17-year, $102 million deal with the New Jersey Devils. However, it was the NHL that stood in the way and rejected the deal, stating that the deal violated the collective bargaining agreement.
Now I'm not a guy who knows most of the finances in the NHL. I'm only built for analysis, but I can tell you that if the collective bargaining agreement is that tough, it will make it even tougher for Ilya Kovalchuk to stay with the Devils. After all, he wants two things. One: a lot of money in his pocket. And two: To play with a team that can go all the way.
Unfortunately, the New Jersey Devils, in my mind, satisfy one of those things. They have money and they can afford to pay Ilya Kovalchuk that kind of money for how good a player he is. The downside is the team that can make it all the way because the Devils have not made it past the first round the last three years. Ilya, are you listening?
The fact of the matter is that if Ilya wants to play with the Devils, he has to make sure that this team goes all the way to the Stanley Cup Final and if it doesn't, it will fail short of general manager Lou Lamorillo's (can't spell his last name) patience.
I don't think the Devils should be too discouraged by the rejection of the contract by the NHL. But is it possible that Ilya Kovalchuk might look again elsewhere? Maybe the Los Angeles Kings? If possible, the Devils failed on being able to hold on to him when they had a good deal in place.
Guess what, Devils? The NHL is hard-nosed and if you want Kovalchuk to play on your team, you're going to have to follow those rules. If not, then release him or do something to him. I'm sure you want him, but follow the rules. They come back to haunt you.
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