Volchenkov Gets Three For Elbow

Devils defenseman Anton Volchenkov has been given a three-game suspension for his elbow to the head of Carolina Hurricanes forward Zack Boychuk.

It happened in the second period of Tuesday night's game in New Jersey and Volchenkov was given a minor elbowing penalty on the play. Boychuk remained in the game after getting popped.

Volchenkov's hearing with the NHL was held over the phone, which suggested that he would be eligible for a maximum ban of five games for the incident.

Here's the elbow...
Up...
Not cool...
((HT: MSG/RDS/NHL/youtube))

DEVELOPING: Devils On The Block, UPDATE: It's The Minority Side

((HT:Sportsnet Radio/FAN590 Toronto))

How's this for starting your post-All Star Game run to the playoffs...

Or not...

Bloomberg News is reporting that New Jersey Devils' owner Jeffrey Vanderbeek has hired investment bank Moag & Co. in Baltimore to oversee the potential sale of the club and that he has sent letters to prospective buyers soliciting interest.

No word on who those owners-of-interest would be and whether or not some of those same individuals stances on playing in Newark are at present...

1800 UPDATE: Vanderbeek admitted publicly that he and his partners have different visions for the franchise, and the minority owners Brick City are exploring a sale.

Brick City is the legal name for the Devils share owned by Ray Chambers and Mike Gilfillan, his son-in-law.

In a release, Vanderbeek says Brick City has a right under its partnership agreement to explore a sale, and that it has hired Moag & Co. to do it...

That's where they come in to all this...

DEVELOPING: Arbitrator: Try again Kovy and Devils!

Ilya Kovalchuk/Courtesy: jennifer brown/star-ledger

Well, that didn't last long. Ilya Kovalchuk is a free agent again. An arbitrator ruled the 17-year, $102 million dollar contract that he signed in July, invalid. The NHL had rejected the heavily front-loaded contract saying it was just a way to circumvent the salary cap. The arbitrator agreed.

More, from NHL.com's Dan Rosen RIGHT HERE

The suspicion is that the Devils will just come up with a new twist and offer Kovy another deal. Though the Kings and a couple other teams were seriously interested and offered solid bids for his services, none could compare to what the Devils came up with.

This should be a fun story to follow...though we suspect we know the outcome. We'll see.

The NHLPA doesn't like that the NHL doesn't like Kovy's contract...

File this under: You knew it was coming!

The NHL's player association (union), has filed a grievance with the NHL because they had a problem with Ilya Kovalchuk's 17-year contract with the New Jersey Devils.

More from NJ.com RIGHT HERE

TSN breaks down the logic RIGHT HERE

((Ilya Kovalchuk//File Photo))

The reason this is an issue is much simpler than the language in the accompanying stories. The league desperately wants to stop the trend of heavily front loading contracts to get around the salary cap. The problem is, they've already allowed several similar ones.

There is a lot of speculation that this is the first of many shots across several bows leading to a re-negotiation of the leagues collective bargaining agreement next year. Either way, Kovy may or may not be a free agent again...this year, we are just going to have wait until the lawyers make tons of money to have their say.

Here is what Kovy did at the end of last year for the Devils. Thanks You Tube:

DEVELOPING STORY: NHL rejects Kovalchuk's contract

Well, maybe the contract was as absurd as it sounded. It appears as though the NHL has rejected Ilya Kovalchuk's 17-year, $102 million dollar deal with the New Jersey Devils.

They say the contract is a work-around the NHL's salary cap.

The contract was pretty frontloaded, the 1st 10-years were for $95 million and then $1 million more for each of the last seven years.

More from TSN.CA RIGHT HERE

((Oh Kovy...You Devil!//Courtesy: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images))

We honestly have no idea what this means. It could mean everyone is starting over from scratch or it could just mean they need to re-word it. Either way...a very interesting development.

2220 UPDATE: All the HQ has to say is that they better look at every other long-term contract out there, because his isn't the first and it won't be the last.

It's just the one that thumbs its nose at the salary cap the most... and most recently...

The deal can be restructured and re-filed...

Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos, via his Twitter feed, says "NHL deems Kovy contract "a retirement contract". Says it "artificially drops cap hit". Also states its too overloaded the first 10 yrs..."

TSN's Darren Dreger, via his Twitter feed, says something we all saw with this particular elephant in the room:

Kovy's deal was rejected because the NHL doesn't believe either the player or the Devils expected he would be playing near end of deal.

Kovy rejection was based on what may be a classic case of an artificial lowering of the AAV. They can refile, or the PA can grieve...

If a grievance is to be filed, the NHLPA has to do it within the next five days. The contract is dead until an arbitor decides the end result... which will, probably, head for some kind of appeals process after that.

2310 UPDATE: OSG Sports asked TSN's James Duthie about any kind of appeals process. His answer is that arbitration in this kind of a case is binding, and that if the NHL won the case, the contract would have to be adjusted to "conform to the requirements of the CBA."

The issue, once again, with the Kovalchuk deal is... well, it just looks funny. That, for all intents and purposes, is the league's defense. There isn't anything written in the CBA that says what the Devils ((or, for that matter, what the Blackhawks with Marian Hossa)) is in violation of the CBA, but the league thinks that the deal just "looks funny."

Technically, the Devils can come back with a Chris Chelios-based defense if anyone is squawking about paying a 44-year-old Kovalchuk anything in the 17th year of the deal.

So there...

Duthie and his Twitter feed are here.

Kovy Resigns With Devils... Officially... But 17 YEARS???

Not that this surprises the HQ in any way once the Kings pulled out- not once but twice...

From Jay Grossman, Kovy's agent...
“Ilya is excited to be continuing his career with New Jersey and knows first-hand the team’s dedication and commitment to winning.”

No duh...

Kovalchuk has reportedly signed a 17-year contract worth $100 million, according to FOSG Scott Burnside over at ESPN. The contract is the longest in NHL history, topping Rick DiPietro's 15-year deal with the New York Islanders.

The team announced the move Monday morning, and a press conference has been scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.

More when we know more... other than the idea that this thumbs the nose at the collective bargaining agreement more than any other contract in the history of the CBA

Here's what the Devils are keeping...
((HT: RDS/mikeishockey2))


2100 UPDATE: The Fan590 in Toronto has the value of the deal at US$102-million, but here's the fun part...

Kovalchuk will earn $6 million each of the next two seasons, $11.5 million for the following five seasons, $10.5 million in the 2017-18 season, $8.5 million for the 2018-19 season, $6.5 million in 2019-20, $3.5 million in 2020-21, $750,000 the following season, and $550,000 for the final five years of the contract.

Jay Grossman called into "Prime Time Sports" on the Fan with Bobcat and John Shannon on Monday afternoon to discuss...

Lou Lamoriello continues being a genius...

DEVELOPING STORY: Kovy Down To 2 Teams

((HT: SI.com))

PM UPDATE: Ilya Kovalchuk's agent, Jay Grossman, released the following statement on his Twitter account Monday evening...

Ilya Kovalchuk choices have been narrowed down, details to be finalized but no announcement tonight....

This counteracts a report in the New York Post by Mark Everson, that free agent Kovalchuk would re-sign today with the New Jersey Devils. A source told the Post that the deal will be seven years for US$60 million.

The Kovalchuk derby was down to two teams -- the Devils and New York Islanders -- after the Los Angeles Kings announced their offer had been rejected. The Islanders were reportedly offering $100 million over 10 years, but the source says the offer was not a formal bid, and the Kings didn't go that high on their bid either.

Kovalchuk turned down Atlanta's offer of $100 million for 12 years prior to his being traded to New Jersey on February 4th. The KHL has also reportedly shown interest, although the report in the Post suggests that the dollar figure is only $9 million-per year for four years.

Here's what Lou Lamioriello is keeping should he sign...
((HT: NHL/MSG+/DevilsHQ))


The HQ had long since known that the Devils, and Lamoriello, like to work the bushes for all their contract and trade negotiations...

Re-upping Kovalchuk would be no different... and not a surprise. The Islanders are not in a position to win consistently, the Kings could contend in the West, but the Devils give him the best chance to advance long-term.

But, as pointed out by one of our readers down in the Comments section unless there's some serious capology going on, the terms would put the Devils over the 10-percent marker on the cap figure of US$59.4-million. Some other deals would have to be jettisoned for the Kovalchuk deal to go down as structured...

Lemaire Retires From Coaching

New Jersey Devils head coach Jacques Lemaire is retiring from coaching after his team's first-round playoff elimination for the third straight year.

Lemaire surprised everyone Monday with the decision- four days after the Devils were taken out by Philadelphia in five games.

"It's tough to leave what you like, but it's a decision that I made. It's not the team. It is not the result or the lack of result we had in the playoffs," Lemaire said. "It's not that at all. It's the end of the line. I'll be 65. It's just time."

He also said that he just doesn't have the energy to coach anymore, but he will stay with the Devils in some capacity. The team hasn't figured out what that role wil be just yet...

Here's Devils GM Lou Lamoriello at the time of Lemaire's re-hiring...
((HT: MSG))

Oh Kovy, You Devil: The Return

Admittedly, the sight is quite odd...

Atlanta Thrashers play-by-play guy and FOSG Dan Kamal interviewed New Jersey Devils' winger Ilya Kovalchuk about what the vibe is like coming to the place where he was the face of a franchise for eight seasons...

The word Kovy used was "weird."

And, yeah, it was weird seeing someone who, literally, grew up in front of you turn into a hired gun for Devils GM Lou Lamoriello. Who is that guy after Jamie Langenbrunner...???

Yup... Number 17 is in road whites...
((the line-up card is your pictured evidence, thanks to me))

Much like Dany Heatley, whether it was in Ottawa or San Jose road sweaters, Kovalchuk got booed every time he touched the puck. And where Heatley is considered something of a quitter by the fan base in Atlanta, Kovalchuk is a Benedict Arnold-type. Kovy was offered the largest contract in the history of the franchise ((10 years and US$100M)) that would have crippled the team financially under its own budget constraints, and Ilya stil said "No."

Although the HQ thinks that it was more Kovalchuk's agent, Jay Grossman, turning the team down more than his player.

So, tonight was the return... sitting on the right-hand bench for a change.
((Philips Arena crow's nest view pictured, again thanks to me))

And it was a game that the Thrashers needed far more than the Devils. If the Devils won, they would be a step up for the #2 Seed in the east, while the Thrash were trying just to close the gap and make the playoffs to be the sacrificial 8-seed to Washington.

The Thrashers showed they are who they are- disappointingly average- and the Devils are who they are- the #2 seed in the East. A microcosm of the season happened in the second period, a Devils turnover gave Maxim Afinogenov a breakaway opportunity. Instead of skating in and shooting, he put on the brakes in the slot in front of Martin Brodeur and tried a centering pass. It was deflected and the opportunity, probably the Thrashers best on the night, was out the door...

"It was a different experience," Kovalchuk admitted afterward, "but it was fun, yeah." He expected to be booed by the crowd, but he also said it happens that way all the time.

Brodeur picks up his 110th career shutout and 600th career win in the 3-0 final.

"It was nice to have won the game," Kovalchuk added. "I think we may have eliminated them tonight, but it's all about winning. It was nice to see friends and ex-teammates, but it was nice to win."

And that's the difference and the bottom line as to why 17 had to leave...
Salary cap and the size of the wallet be damned...

Here's your highlights...
((HT: FS South/NHL))

NHL "Fight of the Year" Contender...

((HT: MSG+/NHL/Hockeyfights.com))

Of course, Cam Janssen of the St. Louis Blues would be involved...
In the other corner... Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond of the New Jersey Devils...

He's the only guy the HQ knows that has two hyphens in his name.

And, yes, the fight goes for a long time...

Oh, Kovalchuk You Devil: Game One, Two Assists...

((HT: NHL/Rogers Sportsnet))

Wearing his familiar number 17 the Newest New Jersey Devil, Ilya Kovalchuk ((pictured picking up two points last night in two ways, thanks Saed Hindash/Newark Star-Ledger)), was paired with Jamie Langenbrunner and Dainius Zubrus for his coming out party against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The end result: two assists in the 4-3 win. The Devils were, actually, down 3-1 with five minutes to go in regulation. They also scored two goals in the final minute-and-a-half for the come-from-behind win.

Here's your highlights, and by the way, the Atlanta Thrashers lost to the Washington Capitals 5-2 and abandoned their morning skate Saturday as they get ready for a back-to-back. Their opponent, provided they can get out of the tri-state area, is the Florida Panthers at what is left of Philips Arena.



Did you notice the smattering of "True Blue" 17's in the audience...???
The HQ did, and we can't be happier for Kovy if he gets to make a run for a Cup.

Kovalchuk You Devil

****BREAKING NEWS****

Well, color me and most others surprised, the Ilya Kovalchuk sweepstakes is over. The story just crossed that Kovalchuk was traded to New Jersey for Defenseman John Oduya, Forwards Niclas Bergfors and Patrice Cormier and a first round draft pick.

The Story from TSN Canada RIGHT HERE

((Ilya Kovalchuk is moving to the swamps of New Jersey//Courtesy: Scott Audette/Getty Images/NHL Images))

Kovalchuk, who had reportedly turned down a 7 year, $70 million deal and a 12 year $101 million dollar deal, will probably be just a rental for New Jersey, currently second in the Eastern Conference with 72 points.

By contrast, the Thrashers have some 'splainin to do to the fans back in Atlanta. They now, no longer have a "Franchise" level player to sell to the fanbase. The team, who has only made the playoffs once in its 11 year history has been flirting with the 8th position in the East all season. Making the playoffs might ease some of the concern, but right now, it looks like it will be the same old story for a team that may or may not have a long term future in a city which is not really interested in its product.

Here's coverage of the Kovalchuk trade, thanks to our friends at TSN...
Rod Smith tosses to Darren Dreger...

Lemaire Heads Back To Jersey

((HT: CBSSports))

Jacques Lemaire ((pictured, thanks nj.com)) is returning for a second stint as coach of the New Jersey Devils.

Lemaire, who coached the Devils for five seasons in the mid 1990s and led them to the first of three Stanley Cups, was hired Monday to replace Brent Sutter, who resigned after two seasons.

Contract terms were not disclosed but the 63-year-old Lemaire said he intends to coach at least two seasons.

"I never thought I would be back," Lemaire said. "I said at that time when I was leaving after five years, and it was five great years, I wanted to cherish this for the rest of my life and the rest of my career, but I never thought one day I would come back."

The deal reunites Lemaire with general manager and president Lou Lamoriello and goaltender Martin Brodeur, the combination that turned that Devils from a contender to a champion in 1995.

"Jacques Lemaire is one of the most respected coaches in the game," Lamoriello said during a conference call. "He is a teacher and a communicator, and knows what it takes to have success."

Lemaire recently resigned as coach of the Minnesota Wild. He took over the expansion franchise in 2000 and led them to the playoffs three times. However, the injury-plagued Wild struggled this past season and Lemaire stepped down, saying he had taken them as far as he could.

"Last year, right after the season, I never did close the door on coaching," Lemaire said. "I just said that my time in Minnesota is over and it's time to go on and do something else," Lemaire said.

Watching the playoffs convinced Lemaire that he still wanted to coach.

"I've heard a lot of ex-coaches say often that it is really hard to get out of this because we love the game and it is exciting and it's fun," Lemaire said. "Well, that's what I got watching the playoffs."

Lemaire first talked with Lamoriello about the vacant job before the NHL draft in mid June and the two hammered out an agreement this past weekend.

The Devils won the Atlantic Division title this past season, but they were stunned in the opening round of the playoffs by the Carolina Hurricanes, giving up two late goals in a Game 7 loss.

Lemaire has watched the Devils and he likes what he sees.

"When you've been coaching for 15 years, when you look at a team, you want to have a chance to win the Cup, there is no doubt about that," Lemaire said. "Especially in my situation, this would be a great thing to have a chance. Don't forget there are 30 teams saying the same thing. I want a chance to be part of this and if there is a chance I would love to get another one."

Lemaire has won 11 Stanley Cups as a player, coach and executive. He has a career coaching record of 538-415-176 in 14 seasons with Montreal, New Jersey and Minnesota.

Lamoriello also announced that Mario Tremblay, who spent the past nine seasons as an assistant coach in Minnesota with Lemaire, will join the Devils' coaching staff. The team also retained assistant coach Tommy Albelin and goaltending coach Jacques Caron. Former Devils great Scott Stevens will also take a more active coaching role both with the team and their AHL affiliate, Lamoriello said.

In giving the job to Lemaire, Lamoriello passed over assistant coach John MacLean again. He was the leading contender when Sutter got the job two years ago.

This time, MacLean was given the head coaching job at Lowell of the AHL. Kevin Dean will be his assistant coach and Chris Terreri will be the goaltending coach.

"There is no question as to John MacLean's knowledge of the game," said Lamoriello. "This is the next step in his bright coaching career."

2 Goals In 80 Seconds= A Game 7 Devils Loss

((HT: TSN/NHL))

We all thought New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur was ridiculous in times of dire need. He was again Tuesday night in the Game 7 against the Carolina Hurricanes, but he couldn't do it all by himself.

Jussi Jokinen and Eric Staal score in an 80-second span to send the Devils home and the Canes to the Eastern Conference semis.

Here's TSN's coverage with Darren Dutchyshen on the highlight roll...

One Save Martin Brodeur Couldn't Make

[HT/AP]

Days after breaking the NHL record for wins by a goalie, the Devils' Martin Brodeur has been dealt an alimony setback by a New Jersey appeals court.

The court ruled that Brodeur must pay his ex-wife $500,000 a year until 2020.
A lower court originally awarded Brodeur's ex-wife, Melanie DuBois limited alimony.

Brodeur appealed, asking that he only be required to pay alimony until he retires, which he estimated to be in 2012. DuBois asked for alimony payments until 2024, when their youngest is anticipated to graduate from college.

The court ordered Brodeur to pay alimony until 2020, the year the youngest child graduates high school.

I guess retirement in 2012 doesn't look so good now. Brodeur has 10 more good years left at goal for the Devils.

Photo Courtesy: Tom Hanson Canadian Press

Breaking News: Brodeur Wins #552

New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur became the winningest goaltender in National Hockey League history Tuesday evening with a 3-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks at the Prudential Center in Newark.

A Dustin Byfuglien goal with just over a minute to go in regulation closed the Devils lead to one, but Brodeur ((pictured, thanks Chris Faytok/Newark Star-Ledger)) made a pad save with three seconds left to preserve the win.

After the final horn, Brodeur proceeded to use a pair of scissors to cut the netting from the goal as a keepsake.

He needed a little help from back-up goalie Kevin Weekes and captain Jamie Langenbrunner to pry the net from the iron.

Brodeur passed childhood idol and Hall of Famer Patrick Roy for the most career victories in league history. He made 30 saves in the win.

The victory came in Brodeur’s 987th game in a 15-year career played entirely with the Devils.
During that tenure, the likable Brodeur has led the Devils to three Stanley Cups and won four Vezina trophies as the league’s top goaltender.

Now he holds the wins record, and others could soon fall. He is within four shutouts of passing Terry Sawchuk (103) for the league record, and at 36 he has a chance to push his win total well beyond 600.

“If this continues being fun, I’ll stick around for a long time,” Brodeur said during an on-ice interview after the game.

Brodeur tied the mark in an emotional setting, his hometown of Montreal on Saturday night with Roy in attendance.

With family in the crowd in Newark, Brodeur took the ice in front of a full house that cheered him from the warmup to the final buzzer, mostly with the echoing chant of “Mart-tee, Mart-tee, Mart-tee.”

Those cheers turned to “Thank you, Marty” as the clock ticked down. Brodeur preserved the win with one last save in the closing seconds.

“Martin Brodeur is the gold standard of goaltending—the model of character, consistency and commitment to the craft,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a prepared statement. “A champion. A winner above all.

“It is difficult to imagine any player who is more universally, and deservedly, respected,” Bettman added. “The National Hockey League is extremely proud of Martin, his historic achievement and his enduring contribution to our game.”

Here's the end of the game...
"Doc" Emrick and Chico Resch on the call...
((HT: TSN/MSG+))