Back to Kovy, this situation is bigger than just the Devils. This will affect the entire NHL.
Kovy is not the first one to express his desire to play in Russia.
The next time a GM tries to sign a Russian star, this will be in back of his mind.
What I hope happens is the NHL together does something to either penalize these kinds of actions, or comes to an agreement with the KHL to prevent this.
What is to stop Kovalchuk from collecting 20 million a year for 4 years and then saying I want to go back to playing in the NHL? The rules should prevent that.
This whole mess will be felt by the entire league.
Also, I read a guy like Radulov makes 9 million a year. Take out the escrow and taxes, and these guys collect a lot more than players in the NHL. Don't be surprised if we start seeing more players follow Kovy to Russia.
If the lockout doesn't happen does any of this happen?
I doubt it. Kovy wouldn't have played in Russia and had the calling, plus there wouldn't have been as large of escrow payment, which it seems Kovy was not happy about.
Fire & Ice - Report: Devils pursuing Red Wings? Damien Brunner
so lou knew a week before UFA that he was leaving?