Gary Bettman's outfit handing out the Devils punishment
For the NHL to truly show how dedicated they were to stopping long term deals like Illya Kovalchucks, Marian Hossa, Chris Pronger, Marc Savard, etc, the league had to make an example of the New Jersey Devils. In the end, Gary Bettman got what he wanted for the owners (a rule to halt circumventing contracts), and the Devils got their man, Kovalchuck. 3 million dollars and two draft picks later, the Illyad has come to a close. That's not to say the punishment was over the line.
The NHL can only fine a maximum of 3 million dollars, which they acted on. Money was going to be lost after the first contract of the Devils (17 years, 102 mil)got shot down. Bettman assessing draft picks on top was like kicking the dead horse a 3rd time, after everyone has agreed enough was enough.
(The draft picks by the way, are a 3rd rounder, and the Devils choice of a 1st rounder in the next four years)
When the League and the Devils went to arbitration, Arbitrator Bloch ruled that the rejected deal went “well beyond the typical retirement age for NHL players.”Kovalchuck would have played until 44. By the age of 37, he would have made $95 million dollars, and received the league minimum the rest of his seven years. The NHL argued that the Devils would buy him out.
Here's an important factor to note. Bloch said that the Devils acted graciously throughout the whole process, did not show signs of purposely circumventing, saying the contract itself was fine, and that the team should not be penalized.
And by the way, what happened to Hossa, Pronger and everyone else's contract? They will get off scotts-free.
The reason for all these circumventions is a giant loop-hole left from the last Collective Barganing Agreement between the NHL and its players association. It allows teams to basically front load a long contract, and then pay less money as a player gets older. That way, when (or if) the player drops off, or leaves the team, the salary hit for the cap doesn't hurt the team that much.
Another factor is the latness in the fine. The deadline to fine the Devils was September 17th, but you'd figure the league had plenty of time to hand out the penalty.
Eitehr way, the message is clear as the dust settles from the summer. Bettman is demonstrating he's had it, and will be sharpening his axe when the next CBA expires in two years. Hockey fans can only hope that the Players Association can bounce back and step up to settle the issue with the owners. We can only hope it doesn't get as bad as it is with the NFL. There's too much to lose if the league shutsdown for the third time.
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Tomorrow will begin the first of the Metro Team previews. Myself and Tom Verde will analyze, preview, and predict the Islanders for the 2010-2011 season. The Rangers will be next, followed by the Devils, and a preview for the East & West conference battles.
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