All I can say is... WOW! Only time will tell how this contract plays out, what kind of dividends the team reaps in search for a fourth Stanley Cup title, how many years of the contract are actually played, the impact of this contract running into a new CBA, etc...

Here is the breakdown as per Andy Strickland:
Ilya Kovalchuk

10-11 6.00 NHL
11-12 6.00 NHL
12-13 11.50 NHL
13-14 11.50 NHL
14-15 11.50 NHL
15-16 11.50 NHL
16-17 11.50 NHL
17-18 10.50 NHL
18-19 8.50 NHL
19-20 6.50 NHL
20-21 3.50 NHL
21-22 750 NHL
22-23 550 NHL
23-24 550 NHL
24-25 550 NHL
25-26 550 NHL
26-27 LY 550 NHL
*No Move through June 30, 2017; No Trade commencing July 1, 2018

One thing we do know, the Devils are committed to winning and Kovalchuk is committed to the Devils. Not many players a team would consider giving this kind of structured deal (Ovechkin, Crosby, Malkin quickly come to mind).

In anticipation of this afternoon's 1PM Press Conference at The Rock to introduce Kovalchuk I am curious to know as much as I can how the process went.

I think the seed was planted last year when Uncle Lou traded for Ilya. The day of the trade, the Thrashers were in DC playing the Caps. Uncle Lou boarded his private plane and personally picked up Ilya to bring to Jersey. That relationship was built and Ilya realized this is a top class organization. He was happy.

I have always said that the Kovalchuk trade was going to have to be assessed "after" the fact. Unless the Devils reach the Stanley Cup Finals OR is able to lock him up long term, this trade and risk was nt worth it.

So I ask you now;
Would you do this trade:
Johnny, Oduya, Niclas Bergfors, Patrice Cormier and a First Round pick for Ilya Kovalchuk and Anssi Salmela?

I would!

The Devils are the clear UFA Champions, but remember that does not translate into a winning team. But this is a great start.

In Lou We Trust.

Truly yours,
The Devils Advocate

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