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- 'Boogey Man' no laughing matter Atlantic
COLUMNS
- For most rookies, stargazing is a popular pastime Justin Bourne
- Will Twitter create an even duller hockey player? Justin Bourne
- Can a defenseman play forward? Should he? Justin Bourne
| NHL and NHLPA to butt heads over Kovalchuk |
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| Headlines |
| Written by Denis Gorman |
| Monday, July 26, 2010 15:32 |
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The NHLPA filed a grievance against the league Monday afternoon in response to the NHL’s voiding of Ilya Kovalchuk’s contract. The NHLPA stated that it “filed a grievance disputing the NHL's rejection of the Standard Player Contract between the New Jersey Devils and Ilya Kovalchuk. Under the terms of the CBA, the NHLPA and Mr. Kovalchuk are entitled to an expedited resolution of this matter. The NHLPA will have no further comment until this matter has been resolved by an Arbitrator.” The corresponding move was expected after the league rejected the 17-year, $102 million contract last Wednesday. The league has frowned on the heavily front-loaded contracts that have become the norm for elite players in recent years. The players like the deals – they are well-compensated for their efforts and know where they will ply their trade late into their careers. Organizations benefit from these deals, called “retirement contracts,” because it allows them to keep their cornerstone players under contract long-term and minimize the salary-cap impact by reducing actual salary in the final years of the contract. “Although there is no defined timetable at this point, we intend to work with the Players’ Association to ensure an expeditious resolution of this dispute,” NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in a statement, reported by the Associated Press. “The league looks forward to the opportunity to establish its position before the arbitrator.” The Devils responded to the league’s action by releasing a statement late last Wednesday afternoon. General manager Lou Lamoriello said the organization was “extremely disappointed that the NHL has decided to reject the contract of Ilya Kovalchuk. The contract complies with the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.” The matter will now go to a mutually agreed upon arbiter. If the arbiter rules in favor of Kovalchuk, the league must honor the contract. However if the arbiter sides with the league, Kovalchuk and the Devils could re-work a deal that meets with the league’s approval. He could also opt to become a free agent again. If Kovalchuk determines that is his best option, an interested observer could be Los Angeles Kings general manger Dean Lombardi. Lombardi had put forth offers to Kovalchuk when the left wing visited the organization before he signed with the Devils. Lombardi did not comment when asked if he was going to monitor the arbitration hearing. You can follow us on Twitter @DenisGorman |
