NHL Free Agency Starts Today

[JeffreyLebowski]

And it's official...the Blackhawks have parted ways with Niemi, choosing instead to sign Turco to a 1-year deal.

I can't remember the last time a goalie won a Stanley Cup and was let go in the same year, especially when he was only looking at a $2.75M cap hit.

The Blackhawks have systematically been disassembled.
Being a Turco fan, I'm glad he has a new home. (Rot in hell Niewendyke).

 

[Blackjack200]

The Blackhawks have systematically been disassembled.
Being a Turco fan, I'm glad he has a new home. (Rot in hell Niewendyke).

What? They still have a rediculous blueline, Toews, Kane, Hossa, Sharp, Byfuglien.

Niemi was a subpar goalie. I'm not surprised they let him go at all.

 

[SP33Demon]

What? They still have a rediculous blueline, Toews, Kane, Hossa, Sharp, Byfuglien.

Niemi was a subpar goalie. I'm not surprised they let him go at all.

Uh, Buff was traded to Atlanta. The team is still dangerous but I doubt they'll replicate last year's amazing playoff run.

 

[mugs]

Kovalchuk's arbitration is supposed to start on Wednesday. If I understand the CBA correctly, the decision would be due within 48 hours?

"If the NHLPA does timely dispute and refer to the Arbitrator such rejection in the manner set forth in Section 11.5(g) above, then such dispute over that rejection shall be both heard and decided by the Arbitrator within forty-eight (48) hours of such referral, during which period..."

Some people are saying 48 hours from the end of the hearing, but that seems to indicate 48 hours from when the grievance was filed. That happened a week ago, but since there was no arbitrator in place I guess the dispute couldn't have been referred to the arbitrator yet... but once the hearing begins, it seems like he only has 48 hours to decide.

Seems like the majority of sports writers and other people with worthless opinions think the only possible outcome is the rejection is overturned. It'll be great if we get to keep Kovalchuk with a low cap hit, but I do think it could be bad for the league if that happens. If the league can't use common sense to reject a 17 year contract that ends when the player is 44, how could they reject a 25 year contract that ends when the player is 50?

 

[Blackjack200]

Uh, Buff was traded to Atlanta. The team is still dangerous but I doubt they'll replicate last year's amazing playoff run.

Okay, I didn't keep track of everyone this offseason, but the core of the team is still in tact. I think they have as good a chance as anyone.

 

[Blackjack200]

Kovalchuk's arbitration is supposed to start on Wednesday. If I understand the CBA correctly, the decision would be due within 48 hours?

"If the NHLPA does timely dispute and refer to the Arbitrator such rejection in the manner set forth in Section 11.5(g) above, then such dispute over that rejection shall be both heard and decided by the Arbitrator within forty-eight (48) hours of such referral, during which period..."

Some people are saying 48 hours from the end of the hearing, but that seems to indicate 48 hours from when the grievance was filed. That happened a week ago, but since there was no arbitrator in place I guess the dispute couldn't have been referred to the arbitrator yet... but once the hearing begins, it seems like he only has 48 hours to decide.

Seems like the majority of sports writers and other people with worthless opinions think the only possible outcome is the rejection is overturned. It'll be great if we get to keep Kovalchuk with a low cap hit, but I do think it could be bad for the league if that happens. If the league can't use common sense to reject a 17 year contract that ends when the player is 44, how could they reject a 25 year contract that ends when the player is 50?

Whatever the CBA might stipulate, everyone seems to think that we'll have an answer by Friday.

I wouldn't worry too much about 25 year contracts. There may be a few select guys that a team would do that for, but you won't see it widely.

 

[KMFJD]

The Blackhawks have systematically been disassembled.
Being a Turco fan, I'm glad he has a new home. (Rot in hell Niewendyke).

That's great news for Red Wing fan's, Turco is awefull vs the WIngs, 5% winning percentage in Joe Louis Arena

 

[meltdown75]

wow. gonna be weird seeing Turks on another team

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

wow. gonna be weird seeing Turks on another team

Well looks more and more like Mo will be playing against Turks this season
http://www.nhl.com/ice/commentsthread.htm?id=535384#COMMENTTOP
Modano close to signing with the Red Wings.

How could my 2 fav players go to my top 2 hated teams?

 

[meltdown75]

yeah that's going to be strange.

 

[mugs]

Twitter says the arbitrator ruled in favor of the league, Kovalchuk's contract is kaput. No official source yet.

I'm sure Lou has a backup ready to be signed.

 

[Elganja]

Twitter says the arbitrator ruled in favor of the league, Kovalchuk's contract is kaput. No official source yet.

I'm sure Lou has a backup ready to be signed.

it's official: http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=535745

 

[Blackjack200]

Twitter says the arbitrator ruled in favor of the league, Kovalchuk's contract is kaput. No official source yet.

I'm sure Lou has a backup ready to be signed.

In case anyone has roaring insomnia, here is the complete ruling:

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B4hYOrjFUhfiZjVkMGZkZTEtMTk1ZS00NzhjLThhNzctMWM1ODRmZjA3OGE4&authkey=CNaVz6EG&hl=en

Mugs, do you mean a backup contract ready to be signed? I don't think he could since they had to wait and see what reasons the arbitrator gave for rejecting the NHLPA grievance.

The way I read the ruling it seems like it could be very difficult for the Devils to sign Kovalchuk, as the arbitrator took a very broad view on what can constitute circumvention. Kovalchuk is looking for $9 to $10 million per year, and the Devils just don't have that kind of cap space.

It's not the fault of the arbitrator (I blame the league) but it creates a terribly unfair situation where some teams (Detroit, Vancouver, Phildadelphia, and Chicago) have players signed to these retirement contracts, but other teams that have to compete with them cannot sign their own players to these kinds of contracts.

 

[Blackjack200]

In case anyone still cares at this point, the league approved a new contract for Kovalchuk today, ending the two month ordeal of the Kovalchuk free agency. Before approving the deal the NHL required the NHLPA to sign an amendment essentially closing the door on cap-bending contracts. Rediculous. I would be so pissed off if I managed another club.

Aside from that, I'm very happy that I'll get to watch this guy play hockey this year. He's a show.

 

[mugs]

In case anyone still cares at this point, the league approved a new contract for Kovalchuk today, ending the two month ordeal of the Kovalchuk free agency. Before approving the deal the NHL required the NHLPA to sign an amendment essentially closing the door on cap-bending contracts. Rediculous. I would be so pissed off if I managed another club.

Aside from that, I'm very happy that I'll get to watch this guy play hockey this year. He's a show.

I'd be pissed if I were a GM of one of the teams that hasn't exploited the loophole AND would want to exploit it, but I think the rule change was absolutely necessary and a good thing.

I'm not sure if they did the over-40 rule or the 5 year rule or both; the over 40 rule would still allow long-term front-loaded deals, just not so long.

I'm happy (though apprehensive because there has been no official confirmation yet).


It makes you wonder what kind of crazy genius Lou is. He said at the Kovalchuk press conference that he doesn't think these long-term cap-circumventing deals should exist. He managed to get his approved while shutting the door to everyone else. Amazing.