kovalchuk to devils - confirmed

[Dupster]

I kind of agree with loki. You have to be really, really careful about the type of person you hand these contracts out to, not necessarily what type of player.

A guy like Toews you probably don't have much to worry about. He could be saddled with a too-low entry level contract and still play like a 5.5m player. He'll show up every game. Heck, even a guy like Hank Sedin, who just signed a career contract last summer, came into the season and put in a career year. Usually career years are found just before UFA status, not after being locked up.

I question Kovalchuk's motivation for the next 17 years, and I don't think I'm alone in that regard.

As for the contract, it's too long. Kovalchuk won't be worth the cap hit in his 40s, unless the dollar on both sides of the border tanks and all of a sudden NHL teams have a 100m cap to work with or something. I foresee this contract being the bought-out-but-still-taking-the-cap-hit variety about 2/3 of the way in.

 

[loki604]

I kind of agree with loki. You have to be really, really careful about the type of person you hand these contracts out to, not necessarily what type of player.
A guy like Toews you probably don't have much to worry about. He could be saddled with a too-low entry level contract and still play like a 5.5m player. He'll show up every game. Heck, even a guy like Hank Sedin, who just signed a career contract last summer, came into the season and put in a career year. Usually career years are found just before UFA status, not after being locked up.

I question Kovalchuk's motivation for the next 17 years, and I don't think I'm alone in that regard.

As for the contract, it's too long. Kovalchuk won't be worth the cap hit in his 40s, unless the dollar on both sides of the border tanks and all of a sudden NHL teams have a 100m cap to work with or something. I foresee this contract being the bought-out-but-still-taking-the-cap-hit variety about 2/3 of the way in.

Exactly. Maybe Kovalchuk is a terrific guy and maybe playing for what most think will be a perennial contender will make him into a shining example of a hard-working, motivated hockey player, but to give out 17 years without absolutely knowing this seems shortsighted. If I was a Devils fan, I would rather be paying him $7.5-8 a year for five years (not saying he would take it or whatever, but I would prefer the higher cap hit to inflexibility later on).

 

[MM213]

17-year contract is just a way to get around cap limits. I've heard they even have a 10-year option, when contract can be terminated at player's or team's option.
Lamorello got the best player available for reasonable price. If you remember, he did the same with Mogilny - and got another Cup plus a trip to finals (which could've been a Cup as well).

You can't seriously compare Kovalchuk and Parise. Since entering the league Kovalchuk scored the most goals, Iginla is a distant second (about 30 goals less). That's a pretty good indication of talent and hard work. Parise may seem to work harder, but it's all because of his shortcomings. Kovalchuk is built like a tank (6'2, 235 lb), he would go right through where Parise will be working hard. Not to mention speed and puck-handling.

 

[dare2be]

I don't see Kovalchuk's cap hit being an issue for the Devils in 10-11 years...most likely Kovy will "retire" at 37 or 38 from the NHL...most of his money will have been paid, the Devils will be free from the cap hit, and Kovy will be free to land a 2-3 year KHL lucrative deal.

 

[ELYEAH82]

Over the next 8 years he is the highest paid player in the league and is not where even close to being the best player in the league. That is just my take on this contract, it looks like he bent the devils over on this one.

 

[loki604]

17-year contract is just a way to get around cap limits. I've heard they even have a 10-year option, when contract can be terminated at player's or team's option.
Lamorello got the best player available for reasonable price. If you remember, he did the same with Mogilny - and got another Cup plus a trip to finals (which could've been a Cup as well).

You can't seriously compare Kovalchuk and Parise. Since entering the league Kovalchuk scored the most goals, Iginla is a distant second (about 30 goals less). That's a pretty good indication of talent and hard work. Parise may seem to work harder, but it's all because of his shortcomings. Kovalchuk is built like a tank (6'2, 235 lb), he would go right through where Parise will be working hard. Not to mention speed and puck-handling.

Kovalchuk is the more dynamic player, but he was on Atlanta. While everyone likes to say he didn't have great players to play with, he also had the Toronto Maple Leafs Rule working in his favor - On a bad team, SOMEONE has to score the goals. He had free reign against a bunch of shitty Southeast teams.

I guess it depends how you view goals/assists. I generally look at them equally. Kovy had three more points than Parise last year. Parise is two years younger. I fail to see how there is some huge gap between their most recent performances unless your weighting goals a ton more than assists. The season before Parise had 94 points to Kovy's 91. Considering what else Parise brings to the table, I don't see why it is so ludicrous to prefer him over Kovalchuk.

 

[MM213]

I guess it depends how you view goals/assists. I generally look at them equally. Kovy had three more points than Parise last year. Parise is two years younger. I fail to see how there is some huge gap between their most recent performances unless your weighting goals a ton more than assists. The season before Parise had 94 points to Kovy's 91. Considering what else Parise brings to the table, I don't see why it is so ludicrous to prefer him over Kovalchuk.

I consider goals more important than assists. There are unassisted goals, goalless assists don't count Jokes aside, even your boy Crosby had to convert to goal-scorer because he simply didn't have legit finishers for his assists. Just imagine what he could do if he had Kovalchuk on his line. And vice versa.

As to "two years younger": Parise was born on July 28, 1984, Kovalchuk - on April 15, 1983. Looks more like a year.
1.29 years to be precise

 

[NJDevils_30]

6mill/yr cap hit for Kovy. hahaha love it. If anyone saw Kovy in his time with the devils, you'd see that he was right up there with Parise in terms of work ethic and motivation.

The devils top-9 is absolutely loaded now.

If you dig deeper into this deal you'll realize that it's not 17 years at all. It's basically set up for him to "retire" after 12 years when he's made all of his coin. He can then go to Russia or do whatever he wants. Also, after the 7th year there's a one year window where there's no clause involved and he can be traded.


Finally, the dinosaur Lemaire and his dog shit system is gone. The devils under Mac, Robinson and Oates are going back to a aggressive forecheck system and it's going to make them very dangerous.

Parise-Zajac-Zubrus
Kovalchuk-Arnott-Elias (I think he'll switch sides)
Clarkson-Josefson-Langenbrunner

I don't even know where Rolston fits. haha

 

[Nasty_Magician]

One of our wingers and a defenseman will go to clear cap (hopefully Rolston). As for the Kovy comparisons to Parise, they are stupid. Parise is a better leader/2 way player. Kovy is a more skilled sniper. However to compare their goal totals is ridiculous considering the Devils are a defensive system compared to Atlanta's free for all. They are both great at various things. Just glad they're both on the Devils.

 

[DevilishWon]

Before I comment ....hey Nasty & 30.....good to see you.

Kovy is a steal at the cap hit. We hav eplenty o sign Zacj LT next year...alls rght with the world

As to thjose who are doubting Kovalchuk's drive 3 things....

1. he could have signed for a s___load more in Mother Russia...or worse Atlanta last year

2. Waching him last yeat in our disgraceful 1st round exit....he was playing harder tham almost anyone...bachcheckig (REALLY)

#. I think now that his future is settled ...he'll be all about winning!

 

[ELYEAH82]

Why would you guys be happy about this regardless of the team. This guy isnt worth close to 10 mill a year and he signed for exactly that. The team circumvented the cap which could very well lead to another work stoppage. This deal and all similar deals are terrible for the fans and the NHL.

 

[NJDevils_30]

Why would you guys be happy about this regardless of the team. This guy isnt worth close to 10 mill a year and he signed for exactly that. The team circumvented the cap which could very well lead to another work stoppage. This deal and all similar deals are terrible for the fans.

The cap hit is all that matters. NOTHING else. Nothing.

He brings a dynamic to the Devils that they've lacked since Mogilny.

And quit limiting it to just us, start with DP, Hossa, Pronger, etc. Deals like this will continue to happen until it's addressed in the next CBA. It's none of these team's fault this is possible. You know where the blame should be placed.

 

[IPostedWhat]

The Devils have about a good 5 years or so with Kovy to get their money's worth. After that, he will be getting older and not be the player he use to be, but still getting paid top money anyways. Not too mention that the Devils and their fans better be praying that Kovy doesn't get any type of injury that could hinder or end his career.

Just ask the Islanders how that 15 year deal with Dipietro worked out.

This could work out great for the Devils or be a disaster.

 

[Darkstone42]

The Devils have about a good 5 years or so with Kovy to get their money's worth. After that, he will be getting older and not be the player he use to be, but still getting paid top money anyways. Not too mention that the Devils and their fans better be praying that Kovy doesn't get any type of injury that could hinder or end his career.

Just ask the Islanders how that 15 year deal with Dipietro worked out.

This could work out great for the Devils or be a disaster.

That's exactly how I see it. It's a risk/reward strategy, and the Devils feel the reward exceeds the risk.

 

[NJDevils_30]

The Devils have about a good 5 years or so with Kovy to get their money's worth. After that, he will be getting older and not be the player he use to be, but still getting paid top money anyways. Not too mention that the Devils and their fans better be praying that Kovy doesn't get any type of injury that could hinder or end his career.

Just ask the Islanders how that 15 year deal with Dipietro worked out.

This could work out great for the Devils or be a disaster.

There's no denying it could be a disaster for us, but let's keep in mind that Kovy has only missed 16 games in the last 5 seasons. It's not like he has some nagging injury and we gave him this mega deal while ignoring a history of injury.

You have to take risks like this if you want to lower the cap hit.

 

[ELYEAH82]

The cap hit is all that matters. NOTHING else. Nothing.
He brings a dynamic to the Devils that they've lacked since Mogilny.

And quit limiting it to just us, start with DP, Hossa, Pronger, etc. Deals like this will continue to happen until it's addressed in the next CBA. It's none of these team's fault this is possible. You know where the blame should be placed.

Seriously????? The salary itself is what lead to a lockout and lost season. The cap was meant to cure this issue but with the loophole and ridiculous nature it is being explioted we are well on our way to another work stoppage.

I actually said contract like this. But in reality the Devils took it to a whole new ridiculous level.

 

[DevilishWon]

There's no denying it could be a disaster for us, but let's keep in mind that Kovy has only missed 16 games in the last 5 seasons. It's not like he has some nagging injury and we gave him this mega deal while ignoring a history of injury.

You have to take risks like this if you want to lower the cap hit.

Bing f ing go brother

BTW check out the Devs site on this site

 

[NJDevils_30]

Seriously????? The salary itself is what lead to a lockout and lost season. The cap was meant to cure this issue but with the loophole and ridiculous nature it is being explioted we are well on our way to another work stoppage.

I actually said contract like this. But in reality the Devils took it to a whole new ridiculous level.

Then you should come right out and say the people who wrote the new CBA are incompetent fools for leaving a hole in there the size of Jenna Jameson's.....ok, heh, you get it.

Rest assured this topic will be addressed in the next CBA...

 

[ELYEAH82]

I am sure it will be addressed but whether or not the players will agree to change is what could very well lead to another season of no hockey.

 

[NJDevils_30]

I am sure it will be addressed but whether or not the players will agree to change is what could very well lead to another season of no hockey.

In which case you can blame the people who wrote the CBA.

The devils are playing within the rules.