Kovalchuk sticks with NJ ??

[armandtanzarian]

http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/nhlblog/k ... uq8eWQQKLO

[The BBKL Insider]

Everyone has taken a step back now - said he'll decide tonight but NJ looks like the final destination.

[Shep]

http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/nhlblog/k ... uq8eWQQKLO

Not confirmed, just a report.

[armandtanzarian]

i know.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=326655

But if TSN is reporting, the report is usually as good as it gets.

[Tony]

Whoop-tee-doo ...

Why not go to a team where you can actually flourish offensively?

[kyuss]

Whoop-tee-doo ...

Why not go to a team where you can actually flourish offensively?

indeed.. so sad.

[Nick]

IMO, whatever team signs him will give him lots of room for offensive creativity -> he's a natural goal scorer and has the ability to tear apart quality players, let alone weaker defence-men & goaltenders.


60M over 7, cap hit of 8.57M is a solid deal for the devils, but it doesn't fit: $4,748,333 that's their cap space, and Zach needs a contract next season, eventually they need to plan for a succession to Marty. Brining in Jugg-Arnott & extending Clarkson really sealed the deal, at least IMO. How will they clear 4M of space?

[Robin Hood]

i say kovalchuk comes to the leafs. the report is bs.

[Nick]

i say kovalchuk comes to the leafs. the report is bs.

Aside from our own speculation, I just cannot see it happening, Burke doesn't bring in selfish-type players.... BUT PLEASE BURKE!!!! JUST THIS ONCE

[cliff11]

if i were garth snow id try to sign him.... i think thats what the island need.... help is young forawrds... and to put people in the stand of his new area! it makes a lot of since to me... him and johny boy would look good together imo! but if he doesnt sign there and goes to NJ i get that too

[shooker]

10 years at 10 mill tho? that is a crippling contract imo. If he wants to win, njd is a wayy better place for him to be. Also Cliffy, I thought my grammar was atrocious...haha just picking on ya buddy

[inferno31]

10 years at 10 mill tho? that is a crippling contract imo. If he wants to win, njd is a wayy better place for him to be. Also Cliffy, I thought my grammar was atrocious...haha just picking on ya buddy

I am curious what Lou's doing though. Pariase has to be signed next season.

[shooker]

zach will only be around 7 tho imo but yea it will be tight....Maybe zach will take a home town bargain deal like richards. a 12 year 5.25 contract or something. Wishful thinking I know

[MSP4LYFE]

I am curious what Lou's doing though. Parise has to be signed next season.

He will front load the contract to lessen the cap hit, and they have several players that are easily replaceable for cap purposes.

[inferno31]

He will front load the contract to lessen the cap hit, and they have several players that are easily replaceable for cap purposes.

Cap hit is average of all the years, so unless your saying hes gonna sign Paraise till hes 42 and hope he retires early I don't see how that saves them money.
Wait you mean the Kovy deal? If its 7 years as reported he'll be in his Mid 30's and won't retire then? Even if he front loads it its the same problem cap wise. 60 over 7.

[MSP4LYFE]

Cap hit is average of all the years, so unless your saying hes gonna sign Paraise till hes 42 and hope he retires early I don't see how that saves them money.
Wait you mean the Kovy deal? If its 7 years as reported he'll be in his Mid 30's and won't retire then? Even if he front loads it its the same problem cap wise. 60 over 7.

The intent would be to front load the salary for the first few years thus lowering the cap hit, not salary. Of course this will likely be excercisd on Parise who looks to be a lifetime Devil, as opposed to Kovy. Even without that, there are so many optiont out there, Lou is very creative. He could pkg a pick to lose salary like he did with Brylin, trade a forward with value for picks/prospects or simply dump a salary in the minors. I'm sure there is a plan in place.

[inferno31]

The intent would be to front load the salary for the first few years thus lowering the cap hit, not salary. Of course this will likely be excercisd on Parise who looks to be a lifetime Devil, as opposed to Kovy. Even without that, there are so many optiont out there, Lou is very creative. He could pkg a pick to lose salary like he did with Brylin, trade a forward with value for picks/prospects or simply dump a salary in the minors. I'm sure there is a plan in place.

Going to have to spell this out for me buddy, I'm not sure what your saying.
Kovalchuk could make his 60 like this
Year 1- 10 Million
Year 2 - 10
Year 3 - 10
Year 4 - 10
Year 5 -10
Year 6- 5
Year 7 - 5

While his salary the first couple years is 10 million the cap hit is still 8.5 whatever. Its the total divided by the years. How the contract is structured only affects buy outs (in which case front loading is advised).

The Hossa and Pronger deals pay players into their 40s and they will retire before they collect the few 500 000 due to them at the end. That way the player gets his money, and the team has a lower cap hit throughout all the years. However Kovy would have to sign a 12 year deal for that to work, not 7.

[fedro91]

Nothing is official, I actually heard that he may still sign with LA or NY. Islander are not out yet but the front horse is by far New Jersey. And Toronto finish last!! Just imagine if Toronto would of gotten Kovalchuk they would have a playoff team.
But instead there in limbo world. What's the first lline of Toronto? Do they have a clear 1st line?












By the way I'm a huge Detroit Red Wings fan. GO Detroit Go... Coming from a fan!

[MSP4LYFE]

Going to have to spell this out for me buddy, I'm not sure what your saying.
Kovalchuk could make his 60 like this
Year 1- 10 Million
Year 2 - 10
Year 3 - 10
Year 4 - 10
Year 5 -10
Year 6- 5
Year 7 - 5

While his salary the first couple years is 10 million the cap hit is still 8.5 whatever. Its the total divided by the years. How the contract is structured only affects buy outs (in which case front loading is advised).

The Hossa and Pronger deals pay players into their 40s and they will retire before they collect the few 500 000 due to them at the end. That way the player gets his money, and the team has a lower cap hit throughout all the years. However Kovy would have to sign a 12 year deal for that to work, not 7.

Like I said this will likely be excercised on Parise, and I'm not posting under the assumption that Kovy only signs for 7 years, not until it's announced anyways.

[inferno31]

Would require kovy for 12+ years or Parise for 13+ years for Lou to take advantage of those kinds of things. More likely he'll move out other bodies but just interesting its a lot of salary.

Kovy signing 7 puts him 34 for next free agency, so before the dreaded 35 (where even if you retire your entire salary counts against the cap). Smart move by his agent if its 7 or less, or 9-10 or more.
Odds are its exactly 7 if his agent is smart, as it'd greatly impact his next contract.