Devils Punished by League for Kovalchuk Contract
by Dig Deep on Sep 13, 2010 8:38 PM EDT
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The New Jersey Devils got their superstar winger alright but at the expense of Niclas Bergfors, Johnny Oduya, prospect Patrice Cormier, and a this year's first round draft pick (The Devils also acquired Anssi Salmela in the trade). But the NHL was upset about the Devils' first offer to Ilya Kovalchuk, believing it to be an attempt to go around the NHL's salary cap. The Devils have been hit hard with the following punishment; $3 million fine, 2011's 3rd round draft pick, and a first round draft pick of their choice in the next four years (as well as having the first contract shot down and forcing the Devils to write-up a second one). More after the jump.
The cost for Kovalchuk has certainly been inflated with this punishment, one can ask if it was worth it given the Devils present cap issues. The Devils will have to shed some salary before the season starts, rumors are circling around Bryce Salvador, Brian Rolston, Danius Zubrus and Travis Zajac and others for more on this: click here. Kovalchuk has a 15 year deal worth $100 million with the Devils with an average cap hit of $6.67 a year.The punishment is pretty heavy, the deal to make Kovalchuk a Devil certainly has come with an immense price tag for New Jersey.
Story can be found here at thehockeynews.com
NHL.com story here.
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Wanted to have another option in the poll, that being ‘The punishment fit the crime’ but SBNation isn’t letting me tinker with it.
In Hank we trust.
as much as i hate the devils im completely against taking away the 1st round pick..
maybe the first and a fine too.. but idk i dont think this is right..
but whos complaining ;)
LET'S GO RANGERS!!!
I’m with you. As a Rangers fan I’m not gonna protest the ruling, but I think it is very unfair. If the NHL wants to put a stop to these contracts fine, amend the CBA and be done with it. But to punish a team for exercising what had become a common management practice is bull. To my knowledge, its not like the NHL had previously informed the Devils that such a contract would result in a punishment. The Devils had every reason to think that what they were doing was completely acceptable based on precedent; to veto the contract is one thing, but punishing the Devs is completely unfair.
All that said, go Rangers
by XLII on Sep 13, 2010 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I think the punishment was excessive
To have the first contract turned down is punishment enough, the reputation of the Devils got a little bit of dirt on it. In my opinion the fine alone would have been sufficient… two high draft picks is really twisting the knife when you think of other big contracts like Luongo, Hossa, etc. that danced on the edge of cheating the salary cap.
In order to acquire Kovalchuk and get him under contract (and Salmela) the Devils will lose two 1st round picks, a 3rd round pick, Patrice Cormier, Johnny Oduya, Bergfors, and $3 million. Not to mention the salary cap hit he has under the new contract. Talk about a heavy price tag…
…All that being said Let’s go Rangers.
In Hank we trust.
by Dig Deep on Sep 13, 2010 11:09 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Agree with all three of you, Bettman is truly an asshole.
One question though.
I always thought the Devils never even had the money to spend up to the salary cap ceiling……i mean their stadium seems to always be empty…..
But now somehow they are OVER the cap ceiling AND are gonna pay 3m in fines? If they can afford that then the Rangers should have NO problem sending Redden and White to Hartford
by Ahmad Bradshaw on Sep 13, 2010 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Very good question
As of this post the Devils are $2,968,332 over the cap, they just pumped a lot of money into ‘The Rock’, they are hit with this fine, and have a reputation of a team operating comfortably within the salary cap. Seems to be out of character for them. And I have to agree that it certainly makes it look like the Rangers can afford to bury Redden in Hartford though I think it might be a little early to assume that White will get similar treatment, he can have some value as a 4th line center.
In Hank we trust.
I don’t think the money they pumed into the rock came out of their pocket. I’m pretty sure there are some HEAVY incentives, and plenty of public money, for anyone willing to open a business that’s not selling crack or guns in Newark.
The thing with just dropping Reddon is, he will pop back up, year after year, so you can’t use his money for anything longterm if you’re putting him in the minors. Having him there is better then with the big club, but its also not a dream situation.
by BuckarooClub on Sep 15, 2010 8:40 AM EDT up reply actions
Agreed
Having Redden absorb that money off the books still hurts the club but it is more attractive than any other option. If there is a team that would take Redden off our hands and give something… really anything of worth back I’d be thrilled but nobody wants his contract.
The Prudential Center has been in the news regarding it being a bit of a burden economically on Newark; article from puckdaddy at yahoosports.
In Hank we trust.
If you like to read about Newark
This article tells you everything you have to know. We should just bomb the place.
by BuckarooClub on Sep 15, 2010 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions
It is a charming place
One of those parts of Jersey you accelerate through and or drive around if possible.
In Hank we trust.
The part of Jersey I accelerate through
Starts in Sussex County and ends at Cape May.
by BuckarooClub on Sep 15, 2010 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions
I have thought of going to a Rangers away game this year at ‘The Rock’ but it is located in a really miserable neighborhood. I might bring a Kevlar vest if I go.
In Hank we trust.
Actually games there are great
And it’s right accross the street from Newark Penn station ( a 17 minute trip from The Real Penn Station on the Path). It used to be a great deal, but I looked at getting tickets for the game there in November, but they totally jacked up the single game ticket prices this season. Check the seating chart and you’ll see what I mean. Still, you can sit on the glass, at the blue line for nickels compared to that seat at MSG.
Best part, it’s mostly Rangers fans.
by BuckarooClub on Sep 15, 2010 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions
lol
I’ll be sure to wear my blueshirt then. If I get stabbed, mugged, or shot I am going to give you a lot of grief.
In Hank we trust.
Actually, When we were there
My brother and I were leading our fellow blueshirt fans in Cheer’s of “We’re Not Cri-ips” to the tune of “Let’s Go Ran-Gers” as we walked back post game. Gotta make that clear.
by BuckarooClub on Sep 15, 2010 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions
In response to the PD article
How funny would it be if MSG bought The Rock?
by BuckarooClub on Sep 15, 2010 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions
They got off easy
If the league wanted to be tough, they should have made Kovi live in Newark.
by BuckarooClub on Sep 13, 2010 9:52 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
LMAO
As someone who lives in New Jersey I appreciate that comment more than most can.
In Hank we trust.
Im in newark daily for school. There is that really nice historic section though im sure with 100 mill he can find a place to crash there. you know it is getting into that section when the crap cars turn into bmw’s parked on the street
This has to be the most boring hockey summer on record.
Even the made up, so called “rumors” by Larry Brooks are beyond dull.
Does anyone really think this team is better now, than they were during the last game at Philly?
Early guess here……Torts out by Thanksgiving and the Rangers miss the playoffs by Christmas.
Dolan/Sather and Obama/Biden…….a more oiut of touch group is hard to find.
i think we are better yeah.
frolov adds some more offense..
staal/cally/aa/girardi/mdz/gilroy will all be better..
we have a solid backup goalie..
redden will be gone..
a few more reasons, but yeah.. we will definitely be better
talk about a negative nancy
LET'S GO RANGERS!!!
by Moshe52792 on Sep 14, 2010 12:35 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
+1
Even if Frolov doesn’t put up sixty points (I am expecting mid 40s to 50s if he does what he can do on the powerplay) I agree that the young players from last year; Anisimov, Del Zotto, Gilroy, Staal, Dubinsky, Callahan, etc. will produce more and continue to develop. The most important thing is for some consistency to emerge from the team and for the team to play well at home. Like you pointed out the solid addition of Biron, signing Frolov, and the almost certain cutting loose of Wade Redden are big off-season moves (though they may seem insignificant compared to moves the Rangers have made in the past). I think the Rangers will be a more competitive team… though I couldn’t tell you who the hell is going to be on the 3rd or 4th line when the season starts up.
In Hank we trust.
Story on thehockeynews.com
“It was supposed to be a night for football (go Jets), but it came as a shock when the league announced it had fined the New Jersey Devils $3 million, plus two drafts picks (a third-rounder and a first-rounder from one of the next four drafts), a harsh penalty for a team that didn’t blaze any trails with its long-term offer.” -Rory Boylen
In Hank we trust.
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