Connor McDavid in 2015?
- DDM-Coga

ahem...that's where we come in

What now....??????? Who is going to replace him? Oh wait there aint no replacing Kovalchuk. Vanek is a good player but just not good enough. And do we got the assets? No 1st rounder....
- Rseen

Vanek sure was better than Kovy this year...

Well to be fair Zherdev was known as a lazy player and Bryz was known as a bit of a headcase. There really was no indication that Kovy would do this.
- rmdevil313

I honestly did think it was a joke at first. Initially I did laugh, because typically it's the Isles getting bent over like this, but if it had been my favorite team I'd be livid. Takes his front loaded contract millions and goes home.

Now having settled into thinking about it, I do feel a bit bad for Devils fans. That being said, I think the east got a little easier for the Isles.

Whatever Devils fans say this isnt that big of a disaster is just delusional. You guys just lost your entire (frank)ing team and a top 10 player in the NHL, AND you dont have a 1st rounder in this draft!!! Its a pretty (frank)ing big disaster!!!

There really wasn't any worry, it's just a matter if when. It's a common belief that he is going to retire in the KHL after his newest contract expires.
- LetsGoBuffalo75

in 4 years he will be 38 after his deal is done with detroit.

Some are commenting that he "walked away from $70M". But how much is he "walking to" on the other end.

I am guessing he will not lose any money through this decision.

Connor McDavid in 2015?
- DDM-Coga

Marty will play as starter out of respect and suck so much that they will get a top 3 pick and forfeit it and retire. Then schneider will play lights out the year mcdavid is supposed to be drafted and carry the devils to finish just outside the playoffs with a crappy pick. Then schneider will walk as a ufa

Here I am being downpoured on as I'm moving, then I sit down and say hey I wonder if there's been any hockey news today...

And this crap gets laid on me too! Screw off Ilya, go back to Commieland. Burning your jersey tonight you Richard.
- FloridianDevil

So you don't think the Devils will pull a page from the Patriots' playbook, and hold a jersey exchange?

My guess is that losing Kovalchuk will be a strong demonstration that one guy does not make a team.

Devils won't be nearly as bad as people are thinking (today) they will be.

Some are commenting that he "walked away from $70M". But how much is he "walking to" on the other end.

I am guessing he will not lose any money through this decision.
- maaddmike

reports are 15 mill a season in the KHL

Marty will play as starter out of respect and suck so much that they will get a top 3 pick and forfeit it and retire. Then schneider will play lights out the year mcdavid is supposed to be drafted and carry the devils to finish just outside the playoffs with a crappy pick. Then schneider will walk as a ufa
- rangerdanger94

You already posted this.... Maybe try 1 more time?

Damnit. Now we're going to such for the next 4-5 seasons like the rags and pens did during the rebuild. Damnit Lou, rebuild.

re·build (r-bld)
tr.v. re·built (-blt), re·build·ing, re·builds
1. To build again.
2. To make extensive structural repairs on.
3. To remodel or make extensive changes in
- Twist

I am not sure if Elias got a no trade in the deal he just signed, but I think Lou needs to approach him and tell him that he doesn't need this for the next three years, and try to find an attractive landing spot for him on a team that will ship some good picks back to the Devils. And, it doesn't stop there. The Devils need to look into what they can get for any veteran on the club, really suck for the next 3 years, and try to rebuild the team completely through a couple years of futility. I wonder whether the Devils would have traded for Schneider, rather than take the 9th overall, if they knew this was coming. Apparently, Lou had some indications, but its just hard to see the plan if he was not suprised by this.

Damnit. Now we're going to such for the next 4-5 seasons like the rags and pens did during the rebuild. Damnit Lou, rebuild.

re·build (r-bld)
tr.v. re·built (-blt), re·build·ing, re·builds
1. To build again.
2. To make extensive structural repairs on.
3. To remodel or make extensive changes in
- Twist

The rangers learned, but had to learn the hard way. Devils will be fine in a few years.

Whatever Devils fans say this isnt that big of a disaster is just delusional. You guys just lost your entire (frank)ing team and a top 10 player in the NHL, AND you dont have a 1st rounder in this draft!!! Its a pretty (frank)ing big disaster!!!
- FLYERSROCK!

Can't understate how right you are.

Now that the initial anger has passed, I am going to try to put a positive spin on it.

If he waited a few years, the recapture would've been terrible. 3 straight years coming up at 11 Million+ on that contract. 250K a year penalty is nothing. Whyshynski tweeted that maybe NJD management encouraged it now while the cap penalty was low. Sucks to lose a player of that caliber but as someone said, if he wanted out, you don't want him being a cancer in the room and not giving his all for the next decade. the first rounder REALLY sucks, but part of me is hoping that after terminating the contract, the Devils will appeal, appeal and appeal again to get that penalty erradicated (though my hopes are waaaaay down for that).

You already posted this.... Maybe try 1 more time?
- rmdevil313

I did in the rangers thread.

We'll trade u brad richards tho to help u out

So you don't think the Devils will pull a page from the Patriots' playbook, and hold a jersey exchange?

My guess is that losing Kovalchuk will be a strong demonstration that one guy does not make a team.

Devils won't be nearly as bad as people are thinking (today) they will be.
- Atomic Wedgie

Maybe, if the sale for a minority partner (or new majority owner) gets finalized.

Did you see the devils without Kovy last year? We are a Michael Ryder better than that this year. And Schneider, but he can't score goals.

I am not sure if Elias got a no trade in the deal he just signed, but I think Lou needs to approach him and tell him that he doesn't need this for the next three years, and try to find an attractive landing spot for him on a team that will ship some good picks back to the Devils. And, it doesn't stop there. The Devils need to look into what they can get for any veteran on the club, really suck for the next 3 years, and try to rebuild the team completely through a couple years of futility. I wonder whether the Devils would have traded for Schneider, rather than take the 9th overall, if they knew this was coming. Apparently, Lou had some indications, but its just hard to see the plan if he was not suprised by this.
- Pete V

Got a full NMC, Pete.

Unbelievable, absolutely screw the devils over. He couldn't have done this two weeks ago before free agency?! And he has the nerve to say how much respect he has for the organization? After losing Parise and the first round pick for just signing the guy.

Even with all this, I wouldn't be surprised if the devils make the playoffs next year...

If this is true this is the biggest wienerheaded move in the history of sports. I hope NJ grabs everyone left, wins the Cup, and this giant wussy someone who is attracted to the opposite sex female genitalia stain of traitor never gets his name on Lord Stanley.

What a (frank)ing gutless wussy.

So you don't think the Devils will pull a page from the Patriots' playbook, and hold a jersey exchange?

My guess is that losing Kovalchuk will be a strong demonstration that one guy does not make a team.

Devils won't be nearly as bad as people are thinking (today) they will be.
- Atomic Wedgie

If theyll take mine all the way from St Pete then that works, but I doubt it. Hernandez is under murder charges so it looks bad for a team to have people wear his gear, in this case the butthole just walked out. Who knows. Were screwed now either way.

I'm shocked...

Still have a solid foundation, with Schneider, Larsson, Henrique, Loktionov and Matteau
- PatC80

Pending.

Wow... I am so happy you guys "won" (I don't think that's the right word now though) the Kovy sweepstakes a few years ago... No way LA would have won the cup with him (couldn't afford the rest of the pieces that we got instead) and.. Just ouch.

Whatever Devils fans say this isnt that big of a disaster is just delusional. You guys just lost your entire (frank)ing team and a top 10 player in the NHL, AND you dont have a 1st rounder in this draft!!! Its a pretty (frank)ing big disaster!!!
- FLYERSROCK!

Agreed, but it's no reason to be completely pessimistic. The Devils still have some decent pieces, and Lou definitely isn't done now. Of all the GMs in the league that could recover from this and pull a miracle out of their ass, Greasy Lou would be the most likely. It's not like the season starts tomorrow.

I am not sure if Elias got a no trade in the deal he just signed, but I think Lou needs to approach him and tell him that he doesn't need this for the next three years, and try to find an attractive landing spot for him on a team that will ship some good picks back to the Devils. And, it doesn't stop there. The Devils need to look into what they can get for any veteran on the club, really suck for the next 3 years, and try to rebuild the team completely through a couple years of futility. I wonder whether the Devils would have traded for Schneider, rather than take the 9th overall, if they knew this was coming. Apparently, Lou had some indications, but its just hard to see the plan if he was not suprised by this.
- Pete V

I think this year we need to try our hardest to make the pick look the least embarrassing it can be. Then next year, start the yard sale. It will be tough to see Elias go, and even though it would help the rebuild, I wouldn't mind seeing him stay on for his career. He's earned it if he wants it.

s.. so.. so..

i can't even bring myself to do this.

Elias-Zajac-Ryder
Clowe-Henrique-Zubrus
Tedenby-Josefson-Olesz
Carter-Gionta-Bernier

Lokti won't last without Kovalchuk.

we now have 2 4th lines again, and have 1 scorer.. Ryder.
- MartysBetter88

That's what you get for making the cup final out of nowhere last year!

Nah really though, this situation is pretty f-ucked up. Lou had too much pride to give up the 2012 29 overall but he really should of just bit the bullet.