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

[devs30rko]

but wow...
i wish i did/thank god i didn't see that one

 

[pixburgher66]

hahahaha, i'd post that...but i feel like it's not really board appropriate. it was on the second page i think...disturbing in the least.

 

[pixburgher66]

personally i think this one is simply FABULOUS

 

[dare2be]

Ummmm..................no. I just facepalmed myself over this. And again for posting it, butt I can't be the only one to suffer it.

http://www.shermgrafik.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/white-power-unicorn.jpg

EDIT: I just couldn't keep that there...

 

[pixburgher66]

funny...i thought white extremists/neo-nazis were afraid of homosexuals. who knew!

 

[davnlaguna]

 

[pixburgher66]

i LOVE the fine print on there. hahahaha

 

[loki604]

Can someone post what could happen to NJ if they lose this? I know there are penalties, but I don't know the extent...and if you could post your own thoughts (as I know there are options) that would be greatly appreciated.

This just seems like a risky move when they could have just let it go and tried to sign him to a more NHL friendly contract (read: two less years). Sorry if this was addressed in the first couple pages...I read them earlier today, but I don't remember everything on them. And obviously that would take too much effort. Don't hate!

 

[Vadered]

Can someone post what could happen to NJ if they lose this? I know there are penalties, but I don't know the extent...and if you could post your own thoughts (as I know there are options) that would be greatly appreciated.

This just seems like a risky move when they could have just let it go and tried to sign him to a more NHL friendly contract (read: two less years). Sorry if this was addressed in the first couple pages...I read them earlier today, but I don't remember everything on them. And obviously that would take too much effort. Don't hate!

Quoth Wikipedia:

"Players, agents or employees found to have violated the cap face fines of $250,000 - $1 million and/or suspension. Teams found to have violated the cap face fines of up to $5 million, cancellation of contracts, forfeiture of draft picks, deduction of points and/or forfeiture of game(s) determined to have been affected by the violation of the cap."

That only applies to violations which have already occurred, however. I think in a case like this (where the team and player sign a contract and the league reviews it like it does every other contract) the only penalty Jersey would take is the nullification of Kovalchuk's contract, which isn't a big deal since they can resign him for something more reasonable. Maybe they'd also get a minor fine; nothing too major I think though. I think the real issue would be if Jersey were to attempt multiple contracts with a single or multiple players that got rejected. Then they could get hit for repeated attempts, and as we all know, the second offense is punished far worse than the first.

 

[dare2be]

My guess is that NJ wanted to sign Kovy, but not at the level that they did. So they made the terms ridiculous enough to allow Kovy to sign, but also knew that it wouldn't be upheld (hence the limited resistance from the team). To me the only foregone conclusion would be the KHL for Kovy. He is just asking too much and not willing to compromise.

 

[BostonAJ]

I tend to think that the NHL should have disallowed Hossa's contract, but in almost every way, Kovalchuk's is worse. I think if someone would classify Hossa's as a gray-area on whether or not it was a blatant attempt to circumvent the Cap, Kovalchuk's clearly is a blatant attempt to do so. Or it's at least a little less gray.

Agreed. The NHL said they were investigating Hossa's contract, so obviously they had their lawyers look into the league's rights to void it, but apparently they didn't have enough leverage. Their attorneys seem to feel differently in this case, probably in large part to the numbers you've shown.

Of course, the NHLPA's lawyers feel they have a valid counter argument, likely based on Hossa's contract.

I don't think anybody blames the Devils for trying to push the envelope - the loophole has already been established. But the line has to be drawn somewhere, right? Otherwise teams could sign a player thru his 50th birthday.

Curious what Devils fans think on this. Do you really want this contract? Might be great for the first 5 years or so, turn into an OK deal for a few more years, then the second half of the contract could be a huge albatross. Europeans aren't well known for their longevity. And players always seem to think they have something left even tho it's time to hang 'em up.

 

[BostonAJ]

Gordie Howe is the only forward in the history of the NHL to play while older than 43 years old.

Good post. I'd love to hear the NHLPA use the Gordie Howe argument. Mark Recchi will be the oldest player in the league this year at 43, and Chelios played last year at 103, but anything past 40 is usually reserved for freaks.

 

[postmaster]

I am glad the NHL rejected the contract as they finally put their foot down but I really hope the NHLPA wins this one.
It is similar to others they have allowed and I am not in favor of having a precedent set where the league rejects a contract. They need to close the loophole and it needs to be agreed upon.