Grievance?!? NHLPA expected to file one today...

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The NHL Players’ Association has until 5 p.m. Monday to file a grievance on behalf of Ilya Kovalchuk for the NHL rejecting his 17-year, $102 million contract with the Devils for salary cap circumvention.

All indications are that the NHLPA will file the grievance before Monday’s deadline after its lawyers conducted a thorough study of the facts, including interviewing all the parties involved in the contract negotiations. The delay the last two days was likely due to the union waiting through the weekend before officially filing the paperwork.

After the grievance is filed, the NHL and the NHLPA must hire a “system” arbitrator to rule on the case. Both sides must agree on the arbitrator. I was among those who speculated that the process could take weeks, but the NHLPA will want to expedite the search so that Kovalchuk will not be in limbo too much longer as far as where he will play in 2010-11. So, if the NHL drags its feet, it will be quite obvious.

 

[BostonAJ]

I like the NHL's chances on this one. Do any non-Devils' fans want to see this contract allowed? It could become the standard by which many superstar UFA contracts are formed.

Have the Isles taught us nothing?

 

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Have the Isles taught us nothing?

Turtlenecks should not be worn under a hockey jersey

 

[Destroydacre]

I like the NHL's chances on this one. Do any non-Devils' fans want to see this contract allowed? It could become the standard by which many superstar UFA contracts are formed.

Have the Isles taught us nothing?

I don't. Exhibit A: Hossa's contract

 

[dash]

I like the NHL's chances on this one.

I don't know about that, AJ, sure the Kovy contract goes against the "spirit" of the salary cap, but I don't see anything there that violates anything spelled out in the current CBA.

 

[BostonAJ]

I don't know about that, AJ, sure the Kovy contract goes against the "spirit" of the salary cap, but I don't see anything there that violates anything spelled out in the current CBA.

I think there's language in the CBA that states that the appearance of trying to circumvent the cap can be enough to void a contract. Even Lamoriello sounds like he's on the fence.

I asked Lamoriello what he would think if someone brought up Kovalchuk’s contract in the next round of CBA negotiations (in two years) and pointed to it as a flaw.

“I might agree,” he said. “But there is nothing that we have done wrong. This is within the rules. This is in the CBA. There are precedents that have been set. But I would agree we shouldn’t have these. But I’m also saying that because it’s legal and this is something that ownership felt comfortable doing for the right reasons.”

It was clear that ownership—headed by Jeff Vanderbeek—was behind this particular contract. Not that Lamoriello didn’t endorse bringing Kovalchuk back.

Still, Lamoriello said he “absolutely” rolled his eyes when the Islanders signed Rick DiPietro to a 15-year contract in 2006 and when Washington signed Alex Ovechkin to a 13-year contract in 2008. He also said he “absolutely” rolled his eyes when Kovalchuk’s contract was completed.

 

[Destroydacre]

I think there's language in the CBA that states that the appearance of trying to circumvent the cap can be enough to void a contract.

There's also a precedent of allowing such contracts.

 

[dash]

There's also a precedent of allowing such contracts.

Whatever happens, it will make for some interesting theatre. Louie Lams versus Gary 'The Gerbil' Bettman, it's the must-see event of the summer.

 

[BostonAJ]

Louie Lams versus Gary 'The Gerbil' Bettman, it's the must-see event of the summer.

 

[Comeds]

I don't like the deal but don't see why the NHL opposed this one and let others go.

 

[pixburgher66]

both sides have good evidence however. it's an obvious circumvention of the salary cap, which is against the 'rules', though a bit on the vague side. however there are the other contracts that were allowed which will only help the NHLPA. personally i think the NHL wins it because it goes from max to min one offseason, it's the most blatant so far, and most people realize that kovy playing at 44, while possible, isn't probable.

 

[Automattic]

There is a chance that both sides still come out happy, correct? Given the parties involved, I don't see either taking too much shit from the other. It just all seems weird to me that it's the Devils upper management that is the one being made an example of.

 

[puckhead]

NHLPA has officially filed its grievance.

it's on!

 

[davnlaguna]

[YOUTUBE]Fyg0h6tk-MM[/YOUTUBE]

And you wonder why this musical bombed in the US

 

[recon]

I'm against the deal... Devils are totally abusing the cap.

 

[ELYEAH82]

Part of me hope it goes through so the Pens can lock up their core with low cap hits. The other part of me wants to see it closed just because we lost a season to get this crap out of the game. The easiest way for an arbitrator to determine whether or not he plans to play the contract out it to move the 11 mill years to the end of the deal. Kind of a catch 22 for Kovy and the Devils if they deny it.

 

[Comeds]

both sides have good evidence however. it's an obvious circumvention of the salary cap, which is against the 'rules', though a bit on the vague side. however there are the other contracts that were allowed which will only help the NHLPA. personally i think the NHL wins it because it goes from max to min one offseason, it's the most blatant so far, and most people realize that kovy playing at 44, while possible, isn't probable.

I do think its an obvious circumvention of the cap and I do hope it is overturned. If it goes through, there may be many contracts like this and I dont think that is a good thing, not even if they helped my team.

I do think the deal will be approved though.

 

[ELYEAH82]

If it does go through I would love for the next CBA to have the actual years salary be the cap hit with these not being grandfathered. It should happen right when the 11 mill years start for the Devils.

 

[devs30rko]

both sides have good evidence however. it's an obvious circumvention of the salary cap, which is against the 'rules', though a bit on the vague side. however there are the other contracts that were allowed which will only help the NHLPA. personally i think the NHL wins it because it goes from max to min one offseason, it's the most blatant so far, and most people realize that kovy playing at 44, while possible, isn't probable.

while of course, being a devils fan i will seem biased stating this....

but the nhl essentially needs to prove he won't be playing at 44... thats a tough task,

AND not to be dick but the contract doesn't go from max to min in one season. there is a steep, but gradual drop off.

 

[puckhead]

while of course, being a devils fan i will seem biased stating this....

but the nhl essentially needs to prove he won't be playing at 44... thats a tough task,

AND not to be dick but the contract doesn't go from max to min in one season. there is a steep, but gradual drop off.

you keep saying that. no, they don't have to prove anything.
the term "reasonable expectation" will be thrown around a lot in the proceedings.