I never want Kovalchuk on this team again.

Todd or anyone else, would you know if there will be scrimmages that are open to the public?

If you read the entire transcript from his sister, she said a big reason why he is leaving is to get out of the Devils organization. She trashed Vanderbeek and said he didn't pay Kovy on time and that the Devils weren't committed to winning a cup.

Kovalchuk would be a UFA should he return, there's no way he'd come back to Jersey if he is this unhappy with the organization.

We should gather up an angry mob outside Vanderbeek's house. Torches, pitchforks, all that.

I'm betting Bettman will pull every string to make sure that guy does not play in the NHL again. Breaking your contract to play in the KHL is a one way street.

I'd hope that they wouldn't take him back. Besides, in 4 yrs NJ should be well off enough that they won't need him. If in 4 yrs time Lou can't put together a contender with Schneider in net & this supposedly deep prospect pool of defensemen NJ has, then his time is up anyway. Pieces are there. It will be rough for a couple years but 4 yrs is pushing it. Especially if they build net out & already have Sneider & possible heirs on defense too. The organizations problems lie up front.

Kujawinski
- Gambi99

He could be a possible steal at where we got him. have watched a few youtube clips of him and buttons scouting report on him from the start of the season he had him pegged in the first round. Has NHL size a scoring touch and throws the body the odd time. I watched a Kingston game on tv well the third period of it and from what I seen he was the best player on the ice and can drive the net. He has been known from what I recall reading as being inconsistent and I guess he didn't develop quite how some thought he would this year but that doesn't mean he doesn't have a high ceiling I think he is the prospect we drafted this year that I am most excited about fallowing and seeing how he turns out. I do really like the Santini pick though. I think he screams what we need on the back end. 6'2 same as Stevens and is very mobile so we aren't getting another Volchenkov and might have a touch of offensive upside but probably not much.

If you read the entire transcript from his sister, she said a big reason why he is leaving is to get out of the Devils organization. She trashed Vanderbeek and said he didn't pay Kovy on time and that the Devils weren't committed to winning a cup.

Kovalchuk would be a UFA should he return, there's no way he'd come back to Jersey if he is this unhappy with the organization.

We should gather up an angry mob outside Vanderbeek's house. Torches, pitchforks, all that.
- TheJerseyDevil1

I really don't see how he can say the Devils aren't committed to winning a Cup when they were in the finals LAST YEAR.

The more I've read about this the more angry I am at Kovy, seems like he simply just ditched the team because he wasn't "feeling it" or something. If he really didn't want to be a Devil, why did he sign a 15 year deal. He could have signed with any other team 3 years ago, including SKA. If he did we'd probably be much better off now.

I'm betting Bettman will pull every string to make sure that guy does not play in the NHL again. Breaking your contract to play in the KHL is a one way street.
- J-P

I am torn on how I feel. I do feel like he dissed the league how he left but he was one of my fav players before he got here. I hope in 4 years Bettman isn't here haha. When does his contract end anyways

If Kovy comes back to the NHL in four years, the Devils should not offer him a contract. The way he left New Jersey and hurt the chances of us getting better players if he did this earlier. If he respected the devils, he would have told Lou and other members of the organization, that he wanted to do this before the draft. Let him sign with a team out west so he only has to visit Jersey only once a year. Every fan that I have talked to wants his head on a stick. If he comes back to Jersey I would be very upset.

In 4 years I would let him come back but on a few conditions. 1. you have to come at 4 million dollars. 2. you have to have completely changed your goals and wants to what this teams are remember Jagre was always known as a selfish player but has came back and since been a class act and a mentor to many young players since coming back ( many thought he would be cancerous to young players ).

I find it hard to believe that he wanted out of Jersey that bad. If he didn't want to play for us he would've signed somewhere else. Lou didn't want him in the first place so this was an opportunity to get rid of him. If a player is truly passionate about the game then it shouldn't matter where they play. Sure this set us back a few years, but the Devils have always been about "team" not one individual/superstar, i think the team will be better off without him in the long run.
And no i would not welcome him back.

I really don't see how he can say the Devils aren't committed to winning a Cup when they were in the finals LAST YEAR.

The more I've read about this the more angry I am at Kovy, seems like he simply just ditched the team because he wasn't "feeling it" or something. If he really didn't want to be a Devil, why did he sign a 15 year deal. He could have signed with any other team 3 years ago, including SKA. If he did we'd probably be much better off now.
- MannySilvers

I know. Its one thing to walk out on an organization, but to trash it afterwards is just a whole different level of classless. I think he was referring to not being able to keep Parise as his linemate with the whole "not committed to winning" thing, but even so, if he was in the lineup this year, I saw this team as a definite playoff team. Just classless through and through.

But Kovy aside, I really hope we get some more investors onto this team to give free agents some peace at mind about our stability.

I find it hard to believe that he wanted out of Jersey that bad. If he didn't want to play for us he would've signed somewhere else. Lou didn't want him in the first place so this was an opportunity to get rid of him. If a player is truly passionate about the game then it shouldn't matter where they play. Sure this set us back a few years, but the Devils have always been about "team" not one individual/superstar, i think the team will be better off without him in the long run.
And no i would not welcome him back.
- FAZOOL

I think he just signed in NJ because they were able to offer him the most money. Apparently he would rather have played in LA but they weren't able to pay him as much so in his mind they're not an option. What a guy.

I think he just signed in NJ because they were able to offer him the most money. Apparently he would rather have played in LA but they weren't able to pay him as much so in his mind they're not an option. What a guy.
- Jeffmt

Well I'm sure then losing to LA in the finals really sat well with him...

I know. Its one thing to walk out on an organization, but to trash it afterwards is just a whole different level of classless. I think he was referring to not being able to keep Parise as his linemate with the whole "not committed to winning" thing, but even so, if he was in the lineup this year, I saw this team as a definite playoff team. Just classless through and through.

But Kovy aside, I really hope we get some more investors onto this team to give free agents some peace at mind about our stability.
- TheJerseyDevil1

It would be nice to have a billionaire owner if not for nothing else but give the team some security. I am kind of shocked with how no one is interested in this franchise especially how successful its been for the short amount of time its been in the league. I know you don't exactly want a fan as the owner like in Buffalo but that guy is loaded and was a huge Sabres fan why cant there be any billionaires that where fans of the Devils from the Stevens Neidsy Marty glory days.

to be honest I think him and lou planned this just to avoid hes 15 yr deal, why do you think kovy signed 4 yrs???

So will they be letting fans trade their Kovy jersey's in for a different player?!

If i was a NJ fan id rather the team fold than have Kovalchuck come back, thats my 2 cents.
- big_dion

I'd probably feel the same way.

He could be a possible steal at where we got him. have watched a few youtube clips of him and buttons scouting report on him from the start of the season he had him pegged in the first round. Has NHL size a scoring touch and throws the body the odd time. I watched a Kingston game on tv well the third period of it and from what I seen he was the best player on the ice and can drive the net. He has been known from what I recall reading as being inconsistent and I guess he didn't develop quite how some thought he would this year but that doesn't mean he doesn't have a high ceiling I think he is the prospect we drafted this year that I am most excited about fallowing and seeing how he turns out. I do really like the Santini pick though. I think he screams what we need on the back end. 6'2 same as Stevens and is very mobile so we aren't getting another Volchenkov and might have a touch of offensive upside but probably not much.
- blizzzard

Defense looks bright in the future. Kujwanski's seems like he could be a steal. Also love the fact hes coached by Doug Gilmour who did play here a little and I would think has at least a working relationship with Lou. Sure we knew just about everything on the kid before we picked him.

So will they be letting fans trade their Kovy jersey's in for a different player?!
- FAZOOL

We need a new #17 and know the perfect guy for the sweater. Lucic. Hahaha one of my favourite players.

So will they be letting fans trade their Kovy jersey's in for a different player?!
- FAZOOL

We need a new #17 and know the perfect guy for the sweater. Lucic. Hahaha one of my favourite players.

It would be nice to have a billionaire owner if not for nothing else but give the team some security. I am kind of shocked with how no one is interested in this franchise especially how successful its been for the short amount of time its been in the league. I know you don't exactly want a fan as the owner like in Buffalo but that guy is loaded and was a huge Sabres fan why cant there be any billionaires that where fans of the Devils from the Stevens Neidsy Marty glory days.
- blizzzard

I think the organization has a lot of potential from an investor standpoint. Beautiful arena in admittedly an undesireable area, but it is very accesable from most of NJ and NYC. Great GM with one of the best resumes out there. Fanbase that has stuck it out and put up with watching boring hockey for all these years. Think of the potential for this organization to take off.

We need a new #17 and know the perfect guy for the sweater. Lucic. Hahaha one of my favourite players.
- blizzzard

Could always use duct tape to alter the name:

Upchuk
Novalchuk

So will they be letting fans trade their Kovy jersey's in for a different player?!
- FAZOOL

For real couldn't wear my parise jersey last year and now my kovy... Never buying any other players jersey again except Brodeur, Elias and Daneyko. I already got a Stevens and Niedermayer one.

I dont see why they wouldn't.

I certainly dont pretend to know the details of the situation, but it appears that Kovie has been straight up with the Devils about this - this is a family decision, so you cant fault the guy for that...

if he was still in good form and wanted to return at 34, why not offer him a contract.