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News: NHL Wins Ilya Kovalchuk Grievance, Remains Free Agent

by Adam Rotter on August 9th, 2010 at 5:03 pm

Update: 7:30PM:

The NHLPA’s statement on this can be found here.

Gulitti has a statement from the Devils‘ Lou Lamoriello, who says that the two sides are already negotiating a new deal.

Update: 6:54PM:

Tom Gulitti says that the NHL hasn’t decided yet if it will fine or penalize the Devils.

Update: 5:38PM:

Statements from the NHL are below:

“We want to thank Arbitrator Bloch for his prompt resolution of a complex issue. His ruling is consistent with the League’s view of the manner in which the Collective Bargaining Agreement should deal with contracts that circumvent the Salary Cap.”

Update: 5:24PM:

Craig Custance confirms that the league won the ruling.

Helene Elliott tweets that the Kings may pursue Kovalchuk once again.

…They have the money.

Update: 5:22PM:

Kypreos tweets that Kovalchuk will still remain a free agent.

…Three options are the same three they always were: a new deal with the Devils, LA or Russia.

Update: 5:20PM:

Nick Kypreos tweets that he hears the grievance has been denied.

…There has to be a formal statement at some point, I would think.

Update: 5:15PM:

Sports Business Journal reports that the arbitrator Richard Bloc has ruled in favor of the league.

Update:5:02PM:

…It’s after 5, can we get a ruling on this?

Original Post: 7:40AM:

By the end of the business day, arbitrator Richard Bloc is expected to rule on the case of Ilya Kovalchuk vs the NHL in terms of his 17 year contract.

Tom Gulitti of the Record and Mark Everson of the NY Post have more on this.

Everson once again mentions the Rangers, along with the Islanders as teams that could be interested in Kovalchuk if he becomes a free agent again.

It just doesn’t work Mark. The space or spot isn’t there

But we will get some sort of closure on Kovalchuk today and then a whole host of reactions and such later and tomorrow
  • http://ohhh-pinions.blogspot.com/ themarsvolta

    Awesome!!!

    I was having serious doubts in the week that just passed… but I’m pretty happy the league won… Lou tried pulling a fast one… something I’m sure he had in the back of his mind to do since the last CBA was contructed and he sat there at the helm.

    Should be very interesting to see how this goes now… will the Devils convince the Kovalchuk camp to accept less money so everyone can save a little face after the love fest that ensued after the signing was announced. Throwing Parise caution into the wind??

    Or does the Kovy Camp stick to their guns on acting like Newark was the place to be forever??

    Good job by the league, good job by that arbitrator… this contract was different from Hossa and Luongo, I don’t care what anyone else says!

    @@

  • Big B

    So glad the arbitrator did the right thing. Now all the armchair “lawyers” talking out of their asses on TSN and ESPN can cry for a day and then shut up.

  • oleosmirf

    im sure Kovalchuk and the Devils had already been talking up a new contract before the ruling today…