The NHL has been trying to setup a transfer agreement with Russia for years. They have one with almost every other big European hockey country
- bobert836

Generally though, transfer agreements tend to be one-sided in the NHL's favor. Imagine getting Schneider in a trade and then losing him the next day to Magnitogorsk who has to pay a couple million to the Devils in compensation; ok deal for NJ, awful for the fans and the league. The KHL is a completely different animal than the other Euro leagues because there's so much more money involved. If a team can afford to pay Kovalchuk upwards of $10M per season, what's a couple million in compensation for losing a younger guy with superstar potential? I don't think there's an easy solution here. The NHL is going up against a league who probably feel like they're on equal ground right now.

few respectable Russians left in this league. loserchuk
- Jurco_28

Ilya Iwannagobackhometoplayformoremoneyso(frank)thenhlandnorthamericaimgawesomchuck

That's a double standard though. Saying that they can because its good for the growth of the league, but when we do it we're the bad guys
- bobert836

Exactly, it's a double standard. The KHL is doing it because it's good for business which is exactly why the NHL has done it for so many years. Like I said, I'm not taking a moral stance on this, I just think it would be hypocritical for the NHL to take a moral stance of their own.

Who wants a player playing on their team against their will?

Lou could have just tolled it to stick it to Kovy, but what good would that have really done, either than I guess "prove a point"

Knowing Lou, I think he elected to just let him go and move on from it...
- MannySilvers

Not much, it's basically a last ditch effort. But for an Olympic standpoint, especially with them being in Russia this year, the IIHF would have had no choice but to rule in favor of the Devils and forced him to sit out. Again it's not much, but it's better than nothing.

"You committed a lot of resources to him. You built your team around him. Is there any feeling that he’s betraying the Devils?"

That's the quote that sticks out, and it's so true.

Last summer when we lost Parise, it sucked, we lost a very good player, oh well.

This is a much bigger deal. The entire team was built around Kovalchuk, several sacrifices were made, losing that pick, one could argue we may have been able to keep Parise, etc.

In 30 years Parise going to the Wild will be a small footnote in Devils' history.

Kovalchuk leaving out of nowhere will be talked about for decades as a huge moment in this teams history. I really don't know how they recover from this, especially with no pick next year.

I honestly thought this was so far a great offseason for us, I thought we were in a solid position to compete for a playoff spot next year...

Losing Parise and Kovalchuk for NOTHING in consecutive years is going to set this franchise back at least half a decade.

God damn it.
- MannySilvers

This is pretty much where I am. The thing that pisses me off about this whole thing, is the amount that was sacrificed. Then there is the fact that he pretty much just said F U. Other then that, this man has brought nothing but drama and awkwardness since he arrived. Most of the fans supported him, and defended him and his big thank you was to leave a footnote that the Devils fans don't deserve. I've said it before and I'll say it again; I think that what went down with Langenbrunner impacted Parises decision at least a little. Not necessarily the movement of Jamie, but the fact that him and Kovy could not co-exist. I'm almost glad Kovy is gone, and the Devils can just get back to drama free winning.

Not much, it's basically a last ditch effort. But for an Olympic standpoint, especially with them being in Russia this year, the IIHF would have had no choice but to rule in favor of the Devils and forced him to sit out. Again it's not much, but it's better than nothing.
- tomburton99

At the very least it sets a precedent. For a lot of European players the Stanley Cup pales in comparison to the Olympics so if you make a statement that breaking a contract means no Olympics then this won't happen again.

Exactly, it's a double standard. The KHL is doing it because it's good for business which is exactly why the NHL has done it for so many years. Like I said, I'm not taking a moral stance on this, I just think it would be hypocritical for the NHL to take a moral stance of their own.
- Jeffmt

I agree, but that doesn't mean we can't think this guy is a complete Richard head for doing this

I agree, but that doesn't mean we can't think this guy is a complete Richard head for doing this
- bobert836

He is. No matter what happened he basically get's out of his contract scott free. That's not right.

Not much, it's basically a last ditch effort. But for an Olympic standpoint, especially with them being in Russia this year, the IIHF would have had no choice but to rule in favor of the Devils and forced him to sit out. Again it's not much, but it's better than nothing.
- tomburton99

I get that, but like I said, I just think knowing Lou he preferred to just let it go and move on.

For the NHL it would have been better if Lou tolled the contract but it doesn't really help the Devils at all.

I agree, but that doesn't mean we can't think this guy is a complete Richard head for doing this
- bobert836

Yes, it's a Richard move, no doubt.

He is. No matter what happened he basically get's out of his contract scott free. That's not right.
- tomburton99

he doesn't get the money you know

One player does not make a team. The Devs did fine before Kovy and i'm certain we'll be fine without him.
I just have to wonder now if Parise would've stayed if we never signed that commie wiener?!

One player does not make a team. The Devs did fine before Kovy and i'm certain we'll be fine without him.
I just have to wonder now if Parise would've stayed if we never signed that commie wiener?!
- FAZOOL

Before him we had Parise, and a late-prime Langenbrunner. Our whole team is built around Kovy, do we remember our 10 game losing streak when he went down this year?

I love being optimistic, and yes historically the Devils have been best when everyone counts them out, but I really don't see how this works out. I really don't see how we get close to making the playoffs next year, and he have no draft pick, for nothing! We lost Parise, Clarkson, Kovalchuk, and a draft pick that likely may be top 5, for nothing.

he doesn't get the money you know
- MrToast

ya cause he won't get any money from the khl next season...you're absolutely correct

Before him we had Parise, and a late-prime Langenbrunner. Our whole team is built around Kovy, do we remember our 10 game losing streak when he went down this year?

I love being optimistic, and yes historically the Devils have been best when everyone counts them out, but I really don't see how this works out. I really don't see how we get close to making the playoffs next year, and he have no draft pick, for nothing! We lost Parise, Clarkson, Kovalchuk, and a draft pick that likely may be top 5, for nothing.


- MannySilvers

aint that a female dog

aint that a female dog
- Jurco_28

Quite.

ya cause he won't get any money from the khl next season...you're absolutely correct
- annoyance_101

Well he said there were no downsides for him. There clearly are some. He doesn't get money from both contracts.

he doesn't get the money you know
- MrToast

Really?! You mean the Devils voiding his contract means he doesn't get the remaining 77 million?! He'll 75 of it back in the next 5 years with SKA St. Petersburg. Please, just cause I'm a rival fan doesn't mean I'm trolling or stupid. Tell some more about how the devils don't have to pay him.

Really?! You mean the Devils voiding his contract means he doesn't get the remaining 77 million?! He'll 75 of it back in the next 5 years with SKA St. Petersburg. Please, just cause I'm a rival fan doesn't mean I'm trolling or stupid. Tell some more about how the devils don't have to pay him.
- tomburton99

Well, to be fair, they don't.

What a friggen strange few years it's been eh?

Trade for Kovy, resign him forever, go into 2010-11 with huge expectations.

Have the worst first half in franchise history, fire the coach and have an incredible run in the second half but still miss the playoffs for the first time in over a decade.

Come into the next season with much lower expectations, go to the Stanley Cup final.

Lose our captain for nothing.

Miss playoffs next year due to injuries. Have star player who the entire team is built around leave for Russia with 12 years left on his contract...

What's next?

Well, to be fair, they don't.

What a friggen strange few years it's been eh?

Trade for Kovy, resign him forever, go into 2010-11 with huge expectations.

Have the worst first half in franchise history, fire the coach and have an incredible run in the second half but still miss the playoffs for the first time in over a decade.

Come into the next season with much lower expectations, go to the Stanley Cup final.

Lose our captain for nothing.

Miss playoffs next year due to injuries. Have star player who the entire team is built around leave for Russia with 12 years left on his contract...

What's next?
- MannySilvers

next? franchise bankrupt, moves to quebec

Well, to be fair, they don't.

What a friggen strange few years it's been eh?

Trade for Kovy, resign him forever, go into 2010-11 with huge expectations.

Have the worst first half in franchise history, fire the coach and have an incredible run in the second half but still miss the playoffs for the first time in over a decade.

Come into the next season with much lower expectations, go to the Stanley Cup final.

Lose our captain for nothing.

Miss playoffs next year due to injuries. Have star player who the entire team is built around leave for Russia with 12 years left on his contract...

What's next?
- MannySilvers

I know they don't

We can only hope with the added cash we are able to do something next year...or at the trade deadline if we are within a stone's throw of the playoffs.

The only thing that matters to me now is getting in the playoffs, even the 8 spot whatever, just to avoid having a lottery pick. Maybe we'll be able to add something via trade.

If I had to just say the thing that likely bothers everyone the most, it's gotta be the loss of the draft pick right? This guy held us hostage, got his 100M contract and didn't really care what it cost the team. Which is fine, as it was also NJ's decision to make the offer. But then he ups and leaves? Really? I hope he never plays in the NHL again. I know I would be a lot less upset if not for the loss of this draft choice.

And I get it, it's big money. But isn't there anything to be said for playing in the most competitive league in the world? I don't want any part of a big-name Russian player again ever. The risk-reward is too high even if they play in the league let alone if they decide on a whim they don't want to be here anymore. Guys like Radulov barely even scratched the surface of their talent when they were here. And you could find numerous cases of Russian players who never played up to their talent level in the NHL. The lower profile guys like Zubrus, Brylin and Zelepukin are different. They adjusted just fine to a North American style of play and clearly value being here. But the high-profile guys seem to have a quality about them similar to some of these higher-tier gifted NFL wide receivers, probably because they are treated like God's gift from a young age back home. A selfishness like they are above it all. And you never know what you are getting out of them from one year to the next in terms of statistical performance either. The Kostitsyns. Nikita Filatov. Ovechkin even has had his moments where he is in and out of the game. No thanks. Never again. I bet Lou feels the same way.

next? franchise bankrupt, moves to quebec
- Jurco_28

Something like that.

Time for me to buckle up and become a full blown Brooklyn Islanders fan. I do love Tavares...

I know they don't

- tomburton99

Oh poop I thought you didn't...my bad.

Well, to be fair, they don't.

What a friggen strange few years it's been eh?

Trade for Kovy, resign him forever, go into 2010-11 with huge expectations.

Have the worst first half in franchise history, fire the coach and have an incredible run in the second half but still miss the playoffs for the first time in over a decade.

Come into the next season with much lower expectations, go to the Stanley Cup final.

Lose our captain for nothing.

Miss playoffs next year due to injuries. Have star player who the entire team is built around leave for Russia with 12 years left on his contract...

What's next?
- MannySilvers

suuure suuuure