Ahhhhh ... NO

There had to be a sign and trade deal and NJ gave him permission to talk to other teams.

The issue was and is he didn't work out a contract with anyone so there was no trade proposal for NJ to turn down.

He will be UFA next year and get a 2 year deal,
- DinoRondelly

I read that Ray said there was no trades even brought to the devils which means no one was close to signing Kovy. Leads me to believe teams didn't like his asking price to sign.

I read that Ray said there was no trades even brought to the devils which means no one was close to signing Kovy. Leads me to believe teams didn't like his asking price to sign.
- AkA

Apparently he was asking for $6.5 x 3 which is nuts, I think 2 years at $5mill per would be tops for him at this point and is likely what he will get next summer.

I read that Ray said there was no trades even brought to the devils which means no one was close to signing Kovy. Leads me to believe teams didn't like his asking price to sign.
- AkA

Yeah, and they weighed the choice to give up picks/prospects vs waiting a year. We all knew it was an odd situation.

I just want to know where alllll those Devils fans who claimed he was worth a 1st, a player and a prospect are? They probably pulled that trade of in their video game and assumed it must mean it could happen in real life.

Yeah, and they weighed the choice to give up picks/prospects vs waiting a year. We all knew it was an odd situation.

I just want to know where alllll those Devils fans who claimed he was worth a 1st, a player and a prospect are? They probably pulled that trade of in their video game and assumed it must mean it could happen in real life.
- jersey1414

But it's EA. EA is soooooooooo close to real life, right?

Yeah, and they weighed the choice to give up picks/prospects vs waiting a year. We all knew it was an odd situation.

I just want to know where alllll those Devils fans who claimed he was worth a 1st, a player and a prospect are? They probably pulled that trade of in their video game and assumed it must mean it could happen in real life.
- jersey1414

We can dream cant we ?

Best candy
- shvingter88

Frozen.

I still think the hatred is ridiculous. nothing illegal, no crimes, no personal offenses.. and it's met with hatred lol.

I still think the hatred is ridiculous. nothing illegal, no crimes, no personal offenses.. and it's met with hatred lol.
- MartysBetter88

I still think the hatred is ridiculous. nothing illegal, no crimes, no personal offenses.. and it's met with hatred lol.
- MartysBetter88

First game back in NJ :

I still think the hatred is ridiculous. nothing illegal, no crimes, no personal offenses.. and it's met with hatred lol.
- MartysBetter88

I'd have more respect for him if he did something illegal.

What kind of horsesh!t is this? His contract should have been suspended when he "retired". Now he plays in the Olympics and gets to hit UFA next offseason, NJ get royally screwed again. This guy is a joke should not be allowed to come back unless he plays for NJ.
- Sabres1523

When you sign a guy beyond the age of 35, this is what can happen. It's in the CBA.

My opinion is it was a mistake for NJ to allow him to negotiate with other teams. He should have been required to sign with us on a contract we negotiated and then *try* to work a trade.

It's not like we screwed him over...

Frozen.
- mdw7413

Woah never done that before

Detroit may be looking to dump some cap in order to sign AA. Hopefully Ray is calling

First game back in NJ :




- TRDevil

For all we know, the league could be blackballing Kovy.

He can play for the Habs and start golfing early April

When you sign a guy beyond the age of 35, this is what can happen. It's in the CBA.
- Panthers88

The CBA that Kovalchuk signed under was different. It was WAY back when the super scams were still available. The fact that he can "retire" and the 500 year cap hit doesn't stick with New Jersey...(same with Keith, Weber, etc.) All those contracts are designed for the player to retire and have a bunch of that cap hit dissappear along with it.

Massive loophole that existed and was massively exploited and has been all but shut down.

kill him with kindness... he's not worth the anger

Todd Cordell: Ilya Kovalchuk eyeing NHL return for 2018-19 season
- Todd.Cordell

Smart play by Kovalchuck. I'm excited to see him back in the NHL. Hell of a talent.