NHLPA Files Grievance against NHL Over Kovalchuk Deal

As expected the NHL Players Associated filed a grievance in regards to the 17 year deal the New Jersey Devils and Ilya Kovalchuk agreed to.

The deal was for a record 17yrs/ $102 million.  The NHL rejected the deal due to the fact that Kovalchuk was only due to make $550,000 for each of the final 5 years of the contract.  By doing that New Jersey lowered their salary cap during those last 5 years to $6 million. 

Numerous teams are starting to ink players to “retirement contracts” as the league deemed them.  Boston inked Marc Savard to a 7 year $28.5 million deal that had him only earning $1.5 million, $525,000, and $525,000 for each of his final 3 years in Boston.  Other notable players who signed such “retirement contracts” are Marian Hossa, Chris Pronger, and Roberto Luongo.

After letting those contracts slide by the NHL said they would step up to this deal. 

Due to the fact that the NHL rejected the deal, Kovalchuk has become a free agent once again though no other teams have been linked to the talented winger since his deal was rejected.

Due to the fact that there is no “systems arbitrator” in the NHL both parties have to find someone whom both parties approve of.  The Devils and the NHL pick three names each and then pick one.  Once an arbitrator is picked, he/she have 48 hours to make a ruling.