Around the league (signings, RFAs injuries)

[Strangelove]

[Todd Bersnoozi]

Nice story out of Ottawa. With former Canucks GM Dave Nonis as the Cheezeburgler in TO, we now have the Hamburgler, Andrew Hammond in Ottawa.



He's a BC boy too, right in our back yard, born in Surrey and undrafted player. Fans were all wearing Hamburgler masks in the boston game and one of the Ottawa players ate one of the burgers after the game.

[vic]

Ilya Kovalchuk targeting NHL return in 2016-17

http://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/728744

Wonder how this will all play out - do the Devils still own his rights under the same contract or does he return as a UFA?

[rats19]

All 30 teams have to agree..

[Boston Canucker]

All 30 teams have to agree..

And then he'll sign an over-priced contract with a team that does not see that his skill set has diminished; but said team is out of ideas for building a club so they sign him: Translation: he signs with the leaves or the Oilers.

[Hockey Widow]

Ilya Kovalchuk targeting NHL return in 2016-17

http://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/728744

Wonder how this will all play out - do the Devils still own his rights under the same contract or does he return as a UFA?

Isn't New Jersey still paying cap on him?

[Strangelove]

Ilya Kovalchuk targeting NHL return in 2016-17

http://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/728744

Wonder how this will all play out - do the Devils still own his rights under the same contract or does he return as a UFA?

I believe he would return as a UFA:

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/repo ... eturn-nhl/

As RatstaR says though, all 30 teams would have to agree that he can return in 2016.

(if Kovy waits until 2018, he could return as a UFA regardless of teams' approval)

[Strangelove]

Isn't New Jersey still paying cap on him?

The Devils have a Kovalchuk Cap-recapture penalty of $250K every year until 2025:

http://wayback.archive.org/web/20141124 ... om/devils/

They are not "paying" any money to Kovalchuk or the league

.... they are just losing a little cap room.

[Hockey Widow]

Given all of that I could see the Devils saying FU and make him wait until 2018.

[Meds]

Given all of that I could see the Devils saying FU and make him wait until 2018.

Unless he agreed to return to New Jersey and honor the previously signed contract to its completion.....if that's even a possibility.

[Strangelove]

Given all of that I could see the Devils saying FU and make him wait until 2018.

Unless he agreed to return to New Jersey and honor the previously signed contract to its completion.....if that's even a possibility.

Not possible, contract is null + void = gonzo.

[Blob Mckenzie]

Given all of that I could see the Devils saying FU and make him wait until 2018.

Unless he agreed to return to New Jersey and honor the previously signed contract to its completion.....if that's even a possibility.

Not possible, contract is null + void = gonzo.

So he is a ufa ?

[dbr]

Yep. Kovalchuk's contract was nullified by his retirement (except the cap repercussions for the Devils of course).

Regarding the previous discussion: Kovalchuk can return before he turns 35 (and comes of the "Voluntary Retired" list) either by having all 30 teams agree, or by sitting out of professional hockey for one year and getting permission from just the Devils.

[Zedlee]

Yep. Kovalchuk's contract was nullified by his retirement (except the cap repercussions for the Devils of course).

Regarding the previous discussion: Kovalchuk can return before he turns 35 (and comes of the "Voluntary Retired" list) either by having all 30 teams agree, or by sitting out of professional hockey for one year and getting permission from just the Devils.

I would think it's highly unlikely that all 30 teams would approve his return. Why would any team AGREE to let him come back and play for the Devils, making them a stronger opponent? He may well have to sit out one year.

[Aaronp18]

I would think it's highly unlikely that all 30 teams would approve his return. Why would any team AGREE to let him come back and play for the Devils, making them a stronger opponent? He may well have to sit out one year.

He would be an UFA.

He wouldn't automatically be on the Devils, he would be free to sign where he chooses and to whatever teams wants him.