NHL vs NHLPA (Kovalchuk) - who wins

[puckhead]

poll upcomin'

So they technically didn't break the letter of the law, but certainly shat all over the spirit of the law.
More than anything, I find it interesting that they have chosen the fight out of the context of the next CBA negotiations.

personally, i just don't know. I hope it get's disallowed, but I don't know how they will resolve it.
the ironic thing is, the only way I can think for the Kovalchuk camp to show its good faith in playing out the contract is by moving money to the latter years.

 

[ritari330]

off to the kovalchuk Hockey League with him

 

[naslundfan19]

I'm just tired of this soap opera.

 

[recon]

off to the kovalchuk Hockey League with him

score LOL!!

 

[beantownmaniac]

off to the kovalchuk Hockey League with him

HA, that's what I voted and it's #1, LOL. Either sign a legit contract here or be gone.

 

[pixburgher66]

as tempted as i was to choose the KHL, i went with my heart and the NHL wins option. GET OUT MEH DIVISION KOOVALCHOOK!

 

[Automattic]

as tempted as i was to choose the KHL, i went with my heart and the NHL wins option. GET OUT MEH DIVISION KOOVALCHOOK!

lol That's why I've been saying eastern conference, KHL, or bust...

 

[dare2be]

All we learned from this poll is that puckhead doesn't have the stones to take a stand

 

[puckhead]

All we learned from this poll is that puckhead doesn't have the stones to take a stand

I want the NHL to squish it, and I think it's the right thing to do.
But honestly, I just don't know if they have the legal right, nor the gumption to stare down the NHLPA on this matter. What i don't understand is people who are so confident one way or the other. At this stage, you can't know.

If I had to fall off the fence, what I think might come out of it is:
- let this contract stand as the final salute to the loophole.
- instill strict parameters going foward, effective immediately.

 

[ELYEAH82]

I dont think your option is even in the cards. They cant let this one through without letting all of them through unless a new CBA is signed. I promise you if this is allowed the next one will make this look like a legit contract. 30 years 20 at 10 mill the last 10 at league min.

 

[pixburgher66]

and 2 of the NHLPA votes are devils fans....sooooo...sort of the NHL is in 2nd behind KHL. hah

 

[puckhead]

I dont think your option is even in the cards. They cant let this one through without letting all of them through unless a new CBA is signed. I promise you if this is allowed the next one will make this look like a legit contract. 30 years 20 at 10 mill the last 10 at league min.

you could be right, but if the NHL and NHLPA are going to go toe to toe on this, I really don't think they will walk away with just a ruling on one specific case, only to have to do it all over again the next time someone tries to take it even one step further.

imho, ymmv, etc.

 

[flyersfan4706]

I am tired of it so he should go to the KHL...but the contract is bullshit however no rules were broken. Legally option 2 happens, but with common sense the NHL and NHLPA meet in the middle.

 

[beantownmaniac]

I think the contract should be restructured with less of a drop off the last 5 years, but that's just my opinion.

 

[BOSSMANPC]

I am behind the NHL 100% on this one. That contract is bullshit and if they start this crap all over again we will have no season like we did during the last lockout.

Lets not make the NHL MLB and keep it so all teams have an even playing field.

Anyone with an ounce of brains could see that was a shady contract from the get go. Why bastardize the system?

I always respected Lou L before this but now I am having my doubts. I thought he was above that.

 

[puckhead]

I always respected Lou L before this but now I am having my doubts. I thought he was above that.

Lou has some goofy deals on the books.
- over-age multi-year contract for Rolston at $5m+ (for his 20 goals)
- David freakin' Clarkson multi-year at $2.67m (for his 11 goals)
- Johan Hedberg and his 7-10 games for $1.5 million in a goalie glut market

was he in charge for the Bobby Holik $9mill per year deal?

 

[BOSSMANPC]

Lou has some goofy deals on the books.
- over-age multi-year contract for Rolston at $5m+ (for his 20 goals)
- David freakin' Clarkson multi-year at $2.67m (for his 11 goals)
- Johan Hedberg and his 7-10 games for $1.5 million in a goalie glut market

was he in charge for the Bobby Holik $9mill per year deal?

Good point, I forgot about that one.

 

[HonusWagner66]

I'm with the NHLPA on this one. The contract doesn't violate the CBA. If the league didn't want teams to have the option of doing this, they should have regulated it in the CBA. GMs are always going to find loopholes to give their team an advantage. This one is pretty big, but the league realized this was a possibility when they agreed upon the CBA.

 

[devs30rko]

trust me, as a devils fan i'm nervous as FUCK

especially with the penalties the team could face if they lose, but i do believe the nhlpa has enough grounds to win, whether it happens or not remains to be seen

 

[BOSSMANPC]

I'm with the NHLPA on this one. The contract doesn't violate the CBA. If the league didn't want teams to have the option of doing this, they should have regulated it in the CBA. GMs are always going to find loopholes to give their team an advantage. This one is pretty big, but the league realized this was a possibility when they agreed upon the CBA.

Have you ever negotiated a contract? I have from both sides, union and management. It's damn near impossible to cover all of the angles. There is a time where ethics come into play and this is an obvious "Ha I found a loop hole" is that the way we want major sports leagues run?