Kovalchuk-Ing a Kontract

As I said the other day, I'm looking forward to writing a lot more!! Thanks to all who commented on my most recent article...now, as promised, time to talk Kovalchuk.

Let me first say, I have never said he's not a great player. He is. I've never questioned his worth to a team. He was captain in Atlanta, and probably one of the better offensive threats in recent Devils history. What I, and others, can't help but question is motive.

It was a little cute to try and sign a 17 year deal, it being his number and all. But the fact is, these bigger deals have had a penchant to blow up in the GM's face more often than not. One can look at Long Island for proof. Two names: Rick DiPietro and Alexei Yashin. Need I say more?? Longer isn't always better. Such is the case here.

Now, I don't want to get on a rant, but I have to say Richard Bloch is one of my new favourite people. He helped put the greedy Kovalchuk in his place, and I applaud him for the ruling. Even more surprising than Kovalchuk really believing he was worth all that money was the fact Bettman even had the smarts to challenge this latest in a recent line of erroneous deals. As much as I hate him, gotta commend him for that.

The biggest problem with a long term deal this size for the Russian dynamo is hype. If it was about his meaning to a team in the regular season, well he is worth maybe half of that...but the fact is, playoffs are where legends are born. Until he makes a mark there, he doesn't deserve to stand among the elite money makers in the NHL. That's just my opinion.

In Atlanta, he was drafted to be their saviour. Their one playoff berth was largely attributed to him, that much is true. But the stay was short. Too short.

When the Thrashers finally decided to turn around its team, the saviour became a goat-and trade bait. New Jersey picked him up, and fans all over the East likely were shaking in their boots. After all, the Devils were due to breakout even before this trade. But once again, as soon as the playoffs started, Kovalchuk disappeared. Just as DiPietro can't stay healthy and Yashin couldn't get over his own ego long enough to actually play for the crest and not himself, Kovalchuk has not earned the right to make these kind of deals. Not yet.

Now, the biggest reason this was turned down was because of the final years of the contract. After making about 10 mill over the first part, the last few years, when Kovalchuk would have been entering his 40s, the cap hit becomes less than a million a year. This low mark apparently circumvents the salary cap, and thus, the NHL had to act. And act they did. The arbitrator sided with the NHL and the bratty forward was put in his place. Until he comes through with a solid effort over both seasons on the NHL schedule, it'll be hard for anyone other than his agent to really argue that he deserves over 100 mill just for playing a decade of hockey, even in a market used to winning.

It seems Kovalchuk wanted way too much for the Kings. His agent was the one who was pushing LA's brass too much. Now, with this Devils debacle in full view, not the mention the fact Kovy lost?? I have a hard time believing his reputation hasn't taken a considerable hit. He's a better man than Yashin, and obviously a better player...but Kovy, please prove it on a more regular basis. Only then will you be talked about as a positive in playoff circles rather than a negative.

Maybe he should go where Charles Wang runs the show. Perhaps his agent can sneak him onto that team. Either way, Kovalchuk/Bettman/NJ/Bloch have now set a precedent and it will be interesting to see where he goes from here. Will Kovy stand up and be a man, maybe fire his agent, or rescind his heady demands?? Will he end up moving back home to the KHL?? At this point, a fair amount of fans don't care.

That right there is the most telling fact of all. Earning respect is a lot harder than demanding it. But hey, as I always say, if it's not difficult, it's not worth doing.

Good luck, Ilya.

Till next time,

this is the Crowd Coach signing off.