Kovalchuk retires from the NHL/Signs with KHL team

[hamstercaster 2]

Ilya Kovalchuk just announced his retirement...

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=427507

Wow!

[kovalchuk71 212]

Dammit. I wanted to post this!

Its a sad sad day for Kovalchuk71.....well and the NHL I guess.

[mack 44]

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuudge.

[hamstercaster 2]

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuudge.

Your profile picture is quite appropriate for this news of Kovalchuk's retirement

[coryroth24 15]

Well, now we have money to sign Henrique and a few other washed up wingers...

[chippa13 1844]

Is this just his way of getting out of the contract so he can make more in the KHL?

[crazyhick 19]

That's just unreal, but maybe he'll take Jagr back with him

[iceman8310 106]

he's most likely going to the KHL. It wouldn't say he's hanging up the skates

WIll Malkin, Ovi, and other Russian players follow him to the KHL? The league is not longer a joke. Jokerit is moving to the KHL in a few years. The new WHA?

[iceman8310 106]

more pro stock kovy twigs?

[psh 25]

Sad day for the NHL. 30 years old, point a game player (who played most of his years on a dog of a team), and walks away from $77million. I guess you have to admire him for knowing what he wants, but it's a shame.

I assume he'll play for the KHL, but that is a heck of a risk. We saw what happened with the tragic plane crash. And, I assume those contracts aren't guaranteed--nothing's guaranteed when you're dealing with a Putin-era oligarch. You also have to wonder about the existence of the teams and the league, itself. Wasn't it just a couple of years ago during the lockout that the Times ran the story about players' families being threatened with kidnapping and players being blackmailed and all sorts of scary stuff. Makes one wonder if the league and teams do enough to make Russians feel comfortable enough and become integrated with their teams. There sure has been a lot better history of making northern Europeans stick than with Russians.

Fare well, Ilya. I hope this works out for you.

[Buzz_LightBeer 969]

Is there something behind the scenes here? This sounds like something a player threatens/does when things aren't going his way.

[iceman8310 106]

Yeah the KHL is bad news. A friend of a friend played there and lets just say if the contract talks don't go the right way you end of missing, guys show up at your door or even worse end up in Siberia

[TeamHonda401 54]

Well with the probably $250 million contract he will get I'm sure he can hire a security force to protect him and his family if it is really the wild west over there.

[DLK 0]

Sad day for the NHL to be sure, but about the best thing that could have happened to the Devils from a cap perspective, I think. I would not be the least bit surprised to find out that the organisation encouraged him towards this decision...thinking of heading to the KHL in a few years? Do it now, please.

They were going to be hit hard by the recapture penalties if he had played another six years and then retired. Getting it out of the way now means they're only hit by what...$250,000 against the cap?

Can't replace him, of course, but it saves their GM from having to try to tell their ownership "yeah, he's our best player...and yes, I just talked you in to signing him to a $100m contract...but now we need to pay him 2/3rds of that and watch him play for someone else."

[shoeshine boy 242]

now that I'm home and can actually post pictures.....
bye Kovy! thanks for the memories (and the REALLY cool gloves!)



disclaimer: bottom pair are Kovy clones, not actual Kovalchuk gloves.
sorry but NONE are for sale.

[MyBoxersSayJoe 133]

Watch him get 5 years at $10mil per year. Much easier than doing 12 for $77mil

[chippa13 1844]

Kind of a tough sell to talk a guy into leaving millions on the table if he didn't already want to. More likely that he didn't think Ryane Clowe was the answer to their woes.

[215BroadStBullies610 435]

Crazy. And to think that NJD has to give up their 2014 1st rounder. Sure seems like it will be a high pick too.

[DLK 0]

Yup...has anyone had to forfeit a first overall pick before?

[iceman8310 106]

reports are he will sign with SKA

[Fury of One 6]

Third player lost to being homesick - Parise, Clarkson, now Kovy. He'll easily make double the $77 mil in the K he;s leavin behind in the N. The NHL will most likely come up with the "Kovy" rule stating a certain time limit or what not before signing a contract with another league after retirement.

Still not sure what the Devils saw in Matteau @ #29. That was the one to give up.

[Chadd 916]

The NHL will most likely come up with the "Kovy" rule stating a certain time limit or what not before signing a contract with another league after retirement.

The league has no recourse if the player officially retires. The only thing they could do is change the retirement process and contest international contracts by players still under contract in the NHL.

[Machinehead2k5 32]

I can see him playing one year in the KHL to stay in shape for the Sochi games.

[JR Boucicaut 3802]

I can see him playing one year in the KHL to stay in shape for the Sochi games.

Dude's not retiring. He's getting out of the NHL.

[coryroth24 15]

Kind of a tough sell to talk a guy into leaving millions on the table if he didn't already want to. More likely that he didn't think Ryane Clowe was the answer to their woes.

Really doubt the Clowe signing had anything to do with it. Kovy's going to announce his ridiculous upgrade in salary in the KHL shortly. Then that'll show you how much he really "respected" the Devils organization.

Another point brought up in the locker room last night, lets hope that this doesn't become a more common issue in the NHL...