To all the people saying Vanek, The devils already have no first round pick, and they need to add prospect as it is, not lose them. Going to have to be a lockdown Defense type year if you ask me, don't see where the scoring will come from. At least they added Ryder, I suppose. Jagr could be an option as well with this news.

Of course they were, first 2 years of his contract were 6 million in cash... even if he KNEW that Kovy was going to leave, he still saying, ok... lets low ball the first 2 years and if he decides to leave, it wont hurt too bad.
- aecliptic

The cap recapture penalties didn't even exist when they signed the contract. Does lou have a time machine?

i can't even read all this.

in case anyone forgot.. Kovalchuk was MONEY in shootouts. How many clutch SH/breakaway goals did he score? as;dkflahsd;fh

Todd Cordell: Report: New Jersey Devils Forward Ilya Kovalchuk Retires
- Todd.Cordell

POS

Morrow and Brunner, then I'll be slightly less pissed about this situation.
- rmdevil313

Hopefully we can at least get Brunner....What about Grabs? Anyone think he would be a good fit. I personally like his fire but on the other hand he seems like a (frank)ing psycho. Not sure he would fit into our system.

i can't even read all this.

in case anyone forgot.. Kovalchuk was MONEY in shootouts. How many clutch SH/breakaway goals did he score? as;dkflahsd;fh
- MartysBetter88

That sucks.

Hemsky for this year's 2nd and next year's 1st?

(Does anyone have an emoticon for a Devil bent over a barrel?)

Hopefully we can at least get Brunner....What about Grabs? Anyone think he would be a good fit. I personally like his fire but on the other hand he seems like a (frank)ing psycho. Not sure he would fit into our system.
- NickA

The only problem is he's another center. The last thing we currently need are more centers and more defensmen.

Hopefully we can at least get Brunner....What about Grabs? Anyone think he would be a good fit. I personally like his fire but on the other hand he seems like a (frank)ing psycho. Not sure he would fit into our system.
- NickA

Grabbo would be a pick up, but is not a need. Brunner and maybe Jagr should be targeted

(frank) this greedy banana eater, karma better make sure he gets what he deserves. Who (frank)s over there teammates and organization like this....

The cap recapture penalties didn't even exist when they signed the contract. Does lou have a time machine?
- rmdevil313

And you want to tell me Lou didnt know that a cap recapture penalty would be something that would be discussed in an upcoming CBA?

Horrible news. Devils will have to rely on winning 1nothing a game next year. Ovi and Malkin next?

Not to beat a dead horse, but I legitimately believe this wouldn't have happened had the lock out never happened and he spent all those months in Russia.

This is horse crap, their should be some kind of compensation when a start player just decides to leave like this.

No wonder no one wanted to draft Nichushkin...

David Pagnotta ‏@TheFourthPeriod 1m
As we said earlier, Kovalchuk's new deal with SKA St. Petersburg could be announced Friday, worth around $15M per

Wow.

Grabbo would be a pick up, but is not a need. Brunner and maybe Jagr should be targeted
- PatC80

Elias got cement-skates-Sykora to be serviceable. Could he do the same with Jagr?? Jagr's postseason performance was demoralizing to watch. .. scary slow.

Clowe-Henrique-Ryder
Elias-Zajac-Jagr
Tedenby-Josefson-Olesz/Zubrus

?

we have nothing. beyond doomed.

I don't even recognize this team anymore. The only familiar faces up front are Elias and Zajac.

And you want to tell me Lou didnt know that a cap recapture penalty would be something that would be discussed in an upcoming CBA?
- aecliptic

Are you (frank)ing serious?

Horrible news. Devils will have to rely on winning 1nothing a game next year. Ovi and Malkin next?
- mighty13duck

Considering it looks like all a player has to do is retire from the NHL. I'd say yeah its only a matter of time before they both defect over to the khl. Could happen before the season starts...Wouldn't that be some poop.

Elias got cement-skates-Sykora to be serviceable. Could he do the same with Jagr?? Jagr's postseason performance was demoralizing to watch. .. scary slow.

Clowe-Henrique-Ryder
Elias-Zajac-Jagr
Tedenby-Josefson-Olesz/Zubrus

?

we have nothing. beyond doomed.
- MartysBetter88

Sykora was also terrible in the playoffs like Jagr was

Not to beat a dead horse, but I legitimately believe this wouldn't have happened had the lock out never happened and he spent all those months in Russia.

This is horse crap, their should be some kind of compensation when a start player just decides to leave like this.

No wonder no one wanted to draft Nichushkin...
- MannySilvers

I agree, beware of drafting any Russian hockey players...they prefer to live home then in North America and can make more money to do so.

Sykora was also terrible in the playoffs like Jagr was
- bobert836

you're right. healthy scratch conference finals/finals.

And you want to tell me Lou didnt know that a cap recapture penalty would be something that would be discussed in an upcoming CBA?
- aecliptic

Then why would he create a contract that would have such a large recapture? Why would he hope that Kovy just happens to pick the perfect year to leave, only 2 years in the contract? Why would he wait until giving up our best player to forfeit the 1st round pick? The thought that Lou wanted Kovy to leave is basically as valid as the moon landing conspiracy theory.

Are you (frank)ing serious?
- bobert836

Please, tell me why then would Lou start his contract with two years at 6 million dollar salary? Why not just start it at 11 million?

Are you (frank)ing serious?
- bobert836

I don't think Lou planned this but something isn't right here (I am not suggesting Lou foul play) . I don't think it's just a KHL thing. I feel like there is more to this story.

Then why would he create a contract that would have such a large recapture? Why would he hope that Kovy just happens to pick the perfect year to leave, only 2 years in the contract? Why would he wait until giving up our best player to forfeit the 1st round pick? The thought that Lou wanted Kovy to leave is basically as valid as the moon landing conspiracy theory.
- rmdevil313

The only things that support this conspiracy theory, is the way the contract was structure and how Kovi left at the perfect time. And the fact that Lou held off on giving up that first rounder when it was the 29th pick like he should have.... Something tells me NJ gets that pick back through some David Stern type move.