uhh.....no. I said the remarks of a stranger means nothing to that individual, so for you guys to get on a high horse and crucify someone for making a personal decision is rather..inane. Insane, even. You attempting to make some weak correlation between Kovy and criticism and my comments and criticism is... just a horrible inference.

He's an entertainer, not a god.


- Blackstrom2

Agreed.

Though, I now have to evaluate why I should care period about hockey (all entertainment) if I apply this to practice.

You guys are ridiculous. He's a (frank)ing person, and is allowed to live his life however he (frank)ing wants too, without some baseless criticism from "fans" of a (frank)ing sport who only wish they had even an ounce of talent he does. Life is short, live it happily, and don't let complete (frank)ing strangers dictate it.
- Blackstrom2

Here's the thing...sure he's a person...but any other "normal person" breaking a contract from there work would have consequences. You had a contract to work x number of years for a guaranteed salary of y
I think it would be fair make a rule that those using retirement as a way to break their contract, cannot return to the NHL
otherwise this does pose a problem of players not liking their contract that they signed, claiming they retire and then immediately return requesting new terms... If this was allowed, then owners/teams should have the right to renege contracts as well

In terms of curing cancer, ending world wide violence, etc. sports means nothing. But to an individual, sports and by extension, other forms of entertainment means a lot to people. The whole purpose of entertainment is for people to enjoy. When you do things people like, people enjoy you more and you get recognized for it and paid for it. When you do something people don't like, you get criticized as baseless as that criticism may be. If they don't want to be subjected to this criticism, no one is forcing them to make millions. Ultimately, the fans pay the salaries. Just as the fans have the right to obsess over what these entertainers do to make their living, they have the right to be disappointed. I'm having trouble of coming up with more thoughts, if you are still on tomorrow when I'm a little more sober this is a good debate.
- rmdevil313

While sports do seem trivial in the grand scheme of things, it never looks good when a player backs out of a contract. A civil society is only as good as the trust we have in one another to fulfill our promised obligations.

Aside from all the technical legalities, whatever happened to that old adage, "My word is my bond"?

I'd like to think that when a player inks a 100 million dollar lifetime deal, some sense of unwritten honor ought to compel both sides to respect each other enough to do the right thing and see it through, regardless of technicalities.

Good on him for doing what's important to him and his family. Giving up that kind of money is not an easy decision...one would think!
- LeftCoaster

Do you really think he gave up any money? The KHL Mafia will make sure he is well compensated and the devil's get a free pass out of a bad contract!

If anyone thinks this isn't cap circumvention they are sadly mistaken....

While sports do seem trivial in the grand scheme of things, it never looks good when a player backs out of a contract. A civil society is only as good as the trust we have in one another to fulfill our promised obligations.

Aside from all the technical legalities, whatever happened to that old adage, "My word is my bond"?

I'd like to think that when a player inks a 100 million dollar lifetime deal, some sense of unwritten honor ought to compel both sides to respect each other enough to do the right thing and see it through, regardless of technicalities.
- Leeman4Gilmour

I'm with you. I'm an idealist. I feel the same way about any contract, be it marriage, hockey or a game of Risk.

But the fact is, the NJD and Kovalchuk both wanted out, and when everyone involved in a mutual contract wants out, they find ways out. Unfortunate, but that is how it goes.

This goes beyond free will or family. Kovy just f*cked NJ in the @ss... They signed a contract with a player throwing all of their eggs in one basket in exchange for 100+ million dollars. He has responsibilities to fulfill his end of that contract. If it was turned around where NJ decided to just stop paying Kovy cause his stats weren't up to their expectations, there'd be another strike tomorrow. As far as I'm concerned, Kovy can head back to Russia and go f*ck Radulov in their KHL showers.

This goes beyond free will or family. Kovy just f*cked NJ in the @ss... They signed a contract with a player throwing all of their eggs in one basket in exchange for 100+ million dollars. He has responsibilities to fulfill his end of that contract. If it was turned around where NJ decided to just stop paying Kovy cause his stats weren't up to their expectations, there'd be another strike tomorrow. As far as I'm concerned, Kovy can head back to Russia and go f*ck Radulov in their KHL showers.
- sudburyboy

But the Devils don't want it fulfilled.

Edit: Contracts are torn up everyday in all kinds of businesses, if both parties want out who is going to enforce the contract.

Welcome back to NJ, big brother Gionta.

If a player does jump to the KHL let them. I think in a year or 2 Kovulchuk will see that the grass isn't greener on the other side and decide to come back. At that time he should be bound to the terms of the original contract and no re-negotiation possible. The team also has to bound to the terms also just in case this was a money dump for them. It is a shame such a talent is leaving to play in such an inferior league

You guys are ridiculous. He's a (frank)ing person, and is allowed to live his life however he (frank)ing wants too, without some baseless criticism from "fans" of a (frank)ing sport who only wish they had even an ounce of talent he does. Life is short, live it happily, and don't let complete (frank)ing strangers dictate it.
- Blackstrom2

would you be saying this if Ovechkin "retired"?

Free will, if that's what's most important to them....then go.
- LeftCoaster

he's bound by the contract HE signed. bad, bad LEGAL precedent. he may really just want to go home. on the other hand he could just be saying that. since you can't read a mans heart he should have to either abide by his contract or pay consequences. retire should mean retire from ALL professional hockey. if he really is "RETIRING" then the point would be moot. he isn't.

You guys are ridiculous. He's a (frank)ing person, and is allowed to live his life however he (frank)ing wants too, without some baseless criticism from "fans" of a (frank)ing sport who only wish they had even an ounce of talent he does. Life is short, live it happily, and don't let complete (frank)ing strangers dictate it.
- Blackstrom2

no. its RIDICULOUS to be able to comply or not comply based on your whim, to a legally binding contract. he isn't quitting hockey for any reason other than " I want to go home and I can make more there". not injured, no legally legitimate reason. He must live w/ his contract or pay some high consequences, according to you there are exactly none.

Good blog Adam. The fact both parties were in collusion on terminating this contract, the NJ Devils should be held to the cap hit for the remaining term of the contract. This is the only way the league will be rid of these cheating methods certain teams come up with.

At the very least, the Devils should be stripped of their two compliance buyouts as a penalty.

Good blog Adam. The fact both parties were in collusion on terminating this contract, the NJ Devils should be held to the cap hit for the remaining term of the contract. This is the only way the league will be rid of these cheating methods certain teams come up with.

At the very least, the Devils should be stripped of their two compliance buyouts as a penalty.
- elcabong

You people are ridiculous. kovy was the best player we had and the best goal scorer on a team that can't score. The team lost almost every game with him out of the line up last season. You think this is what the devils wanted?

What were they going to do? Toll his contract at a 6.67 cap hit?the devils were not about to get into a fight over this and make everything about trying to do everything possible to be petty against a guy who doesn't want to be there instead of focusing on the rest of the hockey team playing hockey.

Now its back to devils hockey. No super star forwards. Just a bunch of (hopefully) hard workers that can put it together tgis season and collectively be consistent.

Good on him for doing what's important to him and his family. Giving up that kind of money is not an easy decision...one would think!
- LeftCoaster

Good on him? For what? Screwing over his teamates and organization and every Russian that wants to make the jump from Russia to the NHL...
He has every right to leave the NHL and play in the KHL but the way he did it was a real FU to the Devils organization and the NHL

may have been a method to Lamierello's madness about pushing off forfeiting that #1 pick as long as he could, because I have no doubt that the Devils will petition the league for mercy in light of what happened with Kovalchuk now.

Good blog Adam. The fact both parties were in collusion on terminating this contract, the NJ Devils should be held to the cap hit for the remaining term of the contract. This is the only way the league will be rid of these cheating methods certain teams come up with.

At the very least, the Devils should be stripped of their two compliance buyouts as a penalty.
- elcabong

Penalty? WTF, they lost their best player and the year before they let their 2nd best player who left for nothing to keep their best player and they lost a 1st and a 2nd and they paid Kovy a ridiculous amount in the years he was with the Devils...$12M a year i think?

And you think they should be further penalized? Thats like the NHL saying, the Habs didnt get ass raped hard enough in the Gomez trade, lets take away a couple 1st rounders from them so they have anal fissures that last a lifetime!

Penalty? WTF, they lost their best player and the year before they let their 2nd best player who left for nothing to keep their best player and they lost a 1st and a 2nd and they paid Kovy a ridiculous amount in the years he was with the Devils...$12M a year i think?

And you think they should be further penalized? Thats like the NHL saying, the Habs didnt get ass raped hard enough in the Gomez trade, lets take away a couple 1st rounders from them so they have anal fissures that last a lifetime!
- Jaciems

ok, the metaphors here may be going a little far

Good on him for doing what's important to him and his family. Giving up that kind of money is not an easy decision...one would think!
- LeftCoaster

he'll get all $$ back and more playing in the KHL.



he should not be able to play pro hockey for a year or two.

Penalty? WTF, they lost their best player and the year before they let their 2nd best player who left for nothing to keep their best player and they lost a 1st and a 2nd and they paid Kovy a ridiculous amount in the years he was with the Devils...$12M a year i think?

And you think they should be further penalized? Thats like the NHL saying, the Habs didnt get ass raped hard enough in the Gomez trade, lets take away a couple 1st rounders from them so they have anal fissures that last a lifetime!
- Jaciems

Seriously, how about ANY other teamed that signed a cap circumventing deal get penalized, eh?

ok, the metaphors here may be going a little far
- jimbro83

The Kristo for Thomas trade brought up some repressed memories from the Gomez trade
I really like Kristo and im really not a fan of Thomas especially since the Habs have no need for him and imagine Mcdonaugh playing next to Subban

edit: oh and im glad you like my metaphors!

"Within the organization, they have this asset in Kovalchuk who isn’t producing like they thought he would on the ice, he isn’t putting butts in the seats like they thought he would, and they can’t sell or trade him due to his outlandish contract."

Are you a serious Adam? Isn't producing like they thought he would!?

09-10 / 27gm 10g 17a 27p
10-11 / 81gm 31g 29a 60p (Down year for EVERY Devil)
11-12 / 77gm 37g 46a 83p
12-13 / 37gm 11g 20a 31p

And can't sell seats?! we sold out every home game this year besides 2! Considering the arena is in a small city, I'd say that it pretty damn good!
http://espn.go.com/nhl/attendance

'nuff said

"Within the organization, they have this asset in Kovalchuk who isn’t producing like they thought he would on the ice, he isn’t putting butts in the seats like they thought he would, and they can’t sell or trade him due to his outlandish contract."

Are you a serious Adam? Isn't producing like they thought he would!?

09-10 / 27gm 10g 17a 27p
10-11 / 81gm 31g 29a 60p (Down year for EVERY Devil)
11-12 / 77gm 37g 46a 83p
12-13 / 37gm 11g 20a 31p

And can't sell seats?! we sold out every home game this year besides 2! Considering the arena is in a small city, I'd say that it pretty damn good!
http://espn.go.com/nhl/attendance

'nuff said
- ILWT3

I don't think anyone realizes how important Kovalchuk was to the Devils. Did you (or whoever) know that before Kovalchuk was injured last season, he was on the ice for every single second of NJ Powerplay time except for about 40 seconds.

I don't think anyone realizes how important Kovalchuk was to the Devils. Did you (or whoever) know that before Kovalchuk was injured last season, he was on the ice for every single second of NJ Powerplay time except for about 40 seconds.
- Ravidel11

Exactly!! For people to think this was the plan the whole time your all insane.
And Jim Morrison is still alive, and we didn't land on the moon. And Biggie is still alive. We lost Parise bc of him!!!!

Exactly!! For people to think this was the plan the whole time your all insane.
And Jim Morrison is still alive, and we didn't land on the moon. And Biggie is still alive. We lost Parise bc of him!!!!
- ILWT3

I think only idiots do not realize how devastating this is for the Devils.

And the possibility to lose what could be a top 5 overall pick next year doesn't make it better.