In a shocking development, New Jersey Devils scoring machine, Ilya Kovalchuk has just announced his retirement from the NHL.
According to reports, he's been contemplating his NHL retirement since he played in Russia during the lockout.
You'll recall that during the NHL lockout, Kovalchuk played in his mother Russia and suggested then that he may like to stay and play in the KHL after the lockout handed ended.
Curious move as Kovalchuk has 12 years and $77 million left on on his 15 year, $100 million guraneteed contract with the Devils, who will now need to plug the gaping hole in their offense.
He's a $6,666,667cap hit until 2025.
Kovalchuk's cap benefit recapture will mean only an annual $250,000 cap charge to the Devils until 2024-25. Talk about a bargain!
How much you willing to bet that Kovy is heading home to play in the KHL for a gargantuan contract, paid in tax free U.S. dollars?
There aren't many UFAs available that compare to Kovalchuk right now.
Might the Devils be interested in another scoring winger named Thomas Vanek?
The Devils don't have a first round draft choice in 2014 which would likely have a negative impact on New Jersey's ability to negotiate a trade with the Buffalo Sabres.
However, they have top-level young players and they now have a whack of cap space.
The Devils have the cap space to absorb the final year of Vanek's $7.1 million cap hit. They can also use Kovy's cap number to structure a long term extension for Vanek.
I'll take Adam Henrique and Adam Larsson please.
Henrique is an unsigned RFA. Larsson is a top flight D Swedish D with relationships with Jhonas Enroth and Johann Larsson.
You?
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