Is it possible that Lou Lamoriello knew or believed that in all likelihood this deal would be killed?

Lou and Gary are decent if not good friends and business acquaintances- is this a case of 'you scratch my back and I will scratch yours? Why not?

There were only two team who made serious offers to Kovalchuk, the Kings and Devils- certainly not much of a market for the best UFA of 2010. Most teams are preparing for continued cap pressure and managing developing rosters full of the next generation of great hockey players and would have a hard time fitting 7-10 million in cap space for any protracted period of time.

With two recent contracts of Hossa and Luongo using the 'average down' approach GM's knew there was a way to make space but surprisingly there are fewer of these deals than one might expect- they come with a lot of risk. LA clearly made an effort but knew the real value in the franchise was with Doughty and Johnson, both soon to demand large contracts. Lombardi knew where he needed to secure his team's fortunes and any salary for Kovalchuk near the asking price was putting his plan in considerable jeopardy.

Lou had a top player and still had use for him but he too was way up against the cap wall. He had more players to sign and he had to find a way to create space. Whether you agree or disagree with long term 'average down' contracts they are the way to achieve cap space but with a serious risk. Lou is a calculated guy who takes risks he understands and can manage- could he really manage this risk with all the variables. Did he even want to?

With this deal being shot down for the obvious reason of cap circumvention does it drop the price for Kovalchuk? Does it send a message, a 'warning shot across the bow' to all other GMs and agents not to try this type of deal anymore? I say yes to both questions.

I think Lou did Gary a favour and deliberately went way, waaay over the edge on how this contracts works knowing full well that there was now way it would be approved. There are some rumblings that Lou even told reporters that he didn't think it would be approved.

In one fell swoop Lou may have put an end to these deals before there could be anymore. Furthermore he may have set a precedent and sent a message (via Gary) to any other 'superstar' player or greedy owner to keep your demands in check.

Gary knows as well as GMs and most owners that this level of salary demand cannot be sustained by a league with little TV revenue. They know that even the most successful of teams do not want to spend their precious gate revenue in such concentrated and inflated salary structures. Lou may have been the man who just turned back the clock on these deals and future obscene salary demands.

If this is the case wouldn't that be an interesting change of events which hardly seem to be in the spirit of the CBA?

I'm sure there's more to come from the "Father" and his minion.

For more conspiracy theories follow me www.twitter.com/@Teddier

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