Yeah, but that's JUST what happened in New Jersey. 77 million... he walked away from twice what Bryzgalof would have to. Why did he do it?
- mayorofangrytown

Kovalchuk is rumored to make $15-20M/yr in the KHL at a tax rate of no more than 13%. He will make more than $77M in less time than with NJD.

http://sports.yahoo.com/b...20-million-210237775.html

it was bryz and pronger holding the cup

you guys should check out a thing called Internet Explorer
- Crimsoninja

And you wonder why I get all heinous smug with you?

If they play with the same style and effort that garnered a SO win against NJ on March 15, they'll be in good shape with this roster.
- Flyskippy

Lavy did start making some adjustments, no doubt, just a small sample size. If they can play the way they did in March of 2012, we'd be golden.

So they have their own problems with contracts, a lot of people seem to be painting the KHL into this evil league that tries to steal our players, but that's what we look like to a lot of KHL fans and management.
- JAKEw1234

I just have this major problem with a Cap loophole.
I thikn the NJDs shold be stuck with dead capspace for the full AVV al a Boston and Tim Thomas. Not sure how this is different.

And you wonder why I get all heinous smug with you?
- Flyskippy

Heinous Smug? wasnt he a villain in one of the Austin Powers movies?

seems like cap circumvention to me.
- FlyersFirst

Lots of different angles to this thing. I'm sure the financial issues the Devils have, play a role here. But a precendent is set. How can the NHL stop another player from doing the same thing now?

it was bryz and pronger holding the cup

you guys should check out a thing called Internet Explorer
- Crimsoninja

Why not Netscape Navigator while you're at it?

Lots of different angles to this thing. I'm sure the financial issues the Devils have, play a role here. But a precendent is set. How can the NHL stop another player from doing the same thing now?
- MJL

Right. Like, say, Pronger.
I am no CBA expert like you, but this seems just unfair.

I just have this major problem with a Cap loophole.
I thikn the NJDs shold be stuck with dead capspace for the full AVV al a Boston and Tim Thomas. Not sure how this is different.
- FlyersFirst

Thomas' contract was a +35 contract if I'm not mistaken. Kovalchuk's is not. Only thing they have to worry about is the Cap recapture issues.

Legally, as long as there is no CBA/Transfer Agreement violation, the move is kosher.

Morally and ethically, that's another question... but then again, this is world of professional sports... when did anybody really give a damn about morality and ethics until it was their turn to get the shaft?

Star players have been bolting for years from other leagues to the NHL, one way or another.
- Tomahawk

And this is all thanks to the Lockout. If the lockout never happened. Kovy never goes to Russia to play and doesn't have a strong desire to return.

Anyone think Ovechkin is next? He said he wasnt going to come back either if they cut salaries.... This could be a dangerous situation.

The Sabres essentially abducted Mogilny while he was in Sweden and induced him to commit treason against the Soviet Union through defection.... I don't see Roenick offering up reparations for that one.
- Tomahawk

It was crap that the Stastny brothers abandoned their teams and came over to North America to play. The NHL should be ashamed of itself.

Heinous Smug? wasnt he a villain in one of the Austin Powers movies?
- Doc_Sarcasm

Richard Tracy movie, I think.

(Funny that the site will change the first name of the movie)

It was crap that the Stastny brothers abandoned their teams and came over to North America to play. The NHL should be ashamed of itself.
- jmatchett383

The sadder part of the Stastny story is that they were all almost property of the Flyers.

Almost....

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UPDATE: According to Dmitry Chesnokov, we'll have to wait until Monday -- at least -- for the official announcement of a contract between Ilya Kovalchuk and SKA Saint Petersburg -- but apparently it's been in the works for quite some time. Kovalchuk's mother says the arrangement was essentially hammered out months ago (SKA denies a contract was signed at that point).

"I knew about it, to be honest. Of course Ilya discussed this matter with me. It was back in January when my son was thinking about staying with SKA. But he went back to New Jersey to finish the season. Everything had to be done in a civilized manner; all legal questions must have been resolved ..."

His mother also suggests a lack of stable ownership in regards to the New Jersey Devils played a part in the decision.

"... there were some problems in New Jersey. You know there will likely be a change of ownership there. It's unclear how everything will turn out ..."

***
UPDATE: And already there's a plan for what's next. According to Dmitry Chesnokov, the Ilya Kovalchuk retirement news comes as no surprise, and a contract with SKA Saint Petersburg of the KHL is in the works -- if not done.

"... Source close to Kovalchuk said he saw it coming. Most likely Kovalchuk will play for SKA. I am told major announcement will come very soon ..."

Kovalchuk played for SKA during the NHL's latest lockout.

***
There has to be more to the story. However, as it stands and according to the New Jersey Devils, forward Ilya Kovalchuk is retiring from the NHL. Technically, this isn't even a rumor, since the club released the news, but we couldn't leave it alone. As per the Devils' statement, the following bit is from Kovalchuk himself:

"This decision was something I have thought about for a long time going back to the lockout and spending the year in Russia. Though I decided to return this past season, Lou was aware of my desire to go back home and have my family there with me. The most difficult thing for me is to leave the New Jersey Devils, a great organization that I have a lot of respect for, and our fans that have been great to me."

Kovalchuk leaves $77 million dollars on the table to walk away at this point (although he'll probably make the equivalent, if not more, in the KHL). He was signed in New Jersey until 2025. And maybe we shouldn't be all that shocked; the star player was pretty clear about not wanting to return to North America after the NHL lockout ended this winter.

This all by: Victoria Matiash

fu tomahawk

And you wonder why I get all heinous smug with you?
- Flyskippy

I sometimes like to dabble in smug as well

Weber becomes a Flyer soon. Can't wait.

Weber becomes a Flyer soon. Can't wait.
- Flyersgod

fu tomahawk
- Crimsoninja

- jak521

I will not give up on my dream sir.

Coburn, B. Schenn, and whatever else they want outside of Giroux/Voracek in this deal.

I just have this major problem with a Cap loophole.
I thikn the NJDs shold be stuck with dead capspace for the full AVV al a Boston and Tim Thomas. Not sure how this is different.
- FlyersFirst

Tim Thomas didn't retire he just didn't play.

Weber becomes a Flyer soon. Can't wait.
- Flyersgod

Flyers retire from NHL to join KHL.
Weber decides to retire from NHL, signs contract with KHL's Philadelphia Flyers.
Philadelphia Flyers return to NHL.
Bruno Gervais contracts chlamydia
Flyers win Cup

Flyers retire from NHL to join KHL.
Weber decides to retire from NHL, signs contract with KHL's Philadelphia Flyers.
Philadelphia Flyers return to NHL.
Bruno Gervais contracts chlamydia
Flyers win Cup
- jmatchett383

+1

I wouldn't kick a dog when he is down.. Geeze. The Devils are going to be bad for a long time because of this. They lost a lot to aquire him, then lost Parise and Clarkson because of his salary and who knows what they would have done in FA, and they lose thier 2014 pick, which is looking to be a good pick now. AND he doesn't announce it until after UFA is pretty much over. And they waist a pick on Broduer's replacement when they arent going to be good while Schneider is under contract. Bet they wish they had that pick back for Nichushkin.
- youarewrong

The Devils have been losing stars for along time. They refuse to trade any talent they have with an expiring contract at the deadline. Somehow always manage to recover. I really wanna see how they get past this one blunder.

And this is all thanks to the Lockout. If the lockout never happened. Kovy never goes to Russia to play and doesn't have a strong desire to return.

Anyone think Ovechkin is next? He said he wasnt going to come back either if they cut salaries.... This could be a dangerous situation.
- youarewrong

Im not so sure Caps wouldnt mind getting out of that contract either.