NHL: Kovalchuk, Devils resume talks; Kariya, Ducks latest?

By Will DePaoli and James Conley

NHL News and Notes: Arbitrator Richard Bloch ruled in favor of the NHL today in the Ilya Kovalchuk case. This was a major win for the NHL as the league has their eye on dramatically changing the structure of contracts in the next CBA. The CBA is set to expire in September 2012.

Bloch stated in his ruling that the contract was fully compliant with the CBA but felt it was a retirement contract.

New Jersey Devils General Manager Lou Lamoriello issued a statement this evening and remains hopeful that the team will be able to resign Kovalchuk.

“We have reviewed and respect Arbitrator Bloch's ruling in the Kovalchuk matter. We also note and appreciate his finding that nothing in his opinion should be read as suggesting that either the club or Ilya Kovalchuk operated in bad faith or on the basis of any assumption other than that the Standard Player Contract was fully compliant with the CBA. That has been our consistent position throughout.

“While we do not currently have a contract with Ilya Kovalchuk, discussions have resumed and we are hopeful that a contract will be reached that meets with the principles in Arbitrator Bloch's award and the NHL's approval."

Early indications are Kovalchuk remains fully committed to reaching a revised deal with the Devils and at least for the short-term won't negotiate with any other teams.

The big question centering around today's decision is whether the league will go after other long-term contracts that have already been approved and registered by the league.

Marian Hossa signed a similarly extensive, front-loaded deal with Chicago last year. Henrik Zetterberg, Johan Franzen, Chris Pronger and others have similar deals in place. It was believed that the NHL was a longshot to win the appeal. Now that it has, is the door open for the NHL to backtrack on these other long-term contracts?

Less than two weeks ago in Pittsburgh, Commissioner Gary Bettman didn’t rule out reviewing other deals in the event that the league won the Kovalchuk case.

*All-time leading Duck’s scorer Teemu Selanne signed a one-year deal worth $3.25 million to stay with Anaheim. The 40 year-old Finnish forward is now set to enter his 19th season in the NHL. Selanne logged only 54 games last season due to injury.

35th on the all-time NHL scoring list, Selanne is actively courting the return of former teammate Paul Kariya to the Ducks.

Don Baizley, the agent for Kariya also represents Selanne and there has already been multiple conversations between Baizley and Ducks GM Bob Murray regarding Kariya's potential return.

No official offer has been made but word is that Kariya is hopeful to push forward in talks this week. The Ducks currently have about $10 million in cap space, although the team has implemented their own cap ceiling which has hampered talks with Bobby Ryan who is currently unsigned.

However, Kariya is believed to be determined to return to Anaheim even at a salary in the $1-to-$2 million range. At this time he is not negotiating with other teams as his focus is only on Anaheim.

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