Devils Sign Ilya Kovalchuk to Reported 17-Year Contract

The New Jersey Devils have announced that they have re-signed winger Ilya Kovalchuk and they will announce the signing at a press conference on Tuesday. The deal is reportedly for 17 years and worth $102 million. The deal averages out to $6 million per season. It was reported on July 5 in the New York Post that the Devils and Kovalchuk were close on a seven year deal worth $60 million. The Los Angeles Kings were rumoured a potential destination for the 27-year-old winger, and in fact, contracts talks with the Kings reportedly started and stopped three times over the last few weeks as both sides attempted to come to an agreement. The Devils acquired Kovlachuk from the Atlanta Thrashers on February 4 along with Anssi Salmela and a second round draft pick in 2010 in exchange for Niclas Bergfors, Johnny Oduya, Patrice Cormier, a first round pick in 2010, and a second round pick in 2010. He had 41 goals and 44 assists for 85 points in 76 games. Finally, the Ilya Kovalchuk sweepstakes is over! It will be interesting to see if the contract is the seven-year, $60 million one reported on July 5 or if it ends up being a different. When the Devils acquired Kovalchuk, it seemed like a great deal, as they were getting a decent goal-scorer who is great on the power play. However, he didn't seem to fit in very well with the team. As time goes on, hopefully Kovalchuk will be able to adjust more to the Devils' style of play.

EDIT
17 years is an awful long time to commit to a player who is already 27-years-old. I could see a seven year deal, but 17 years is far too long. The deal will expire when Kovalchuk is 44-years-old, so it will be interesting to see if he will actually play out the entire contract.

EDIT
The NHL has rejected Kovalchuk's 17-year contract on the grounds that it circumvents the salary cap. According to tsn.ca's Darren Dreger, the deal was rejected because the NHL does not believe that either Kovalchuk nor the Devils expect him to be playing near the end of the contract and that it is a case of artifically lowering the annual average value of the contract. The Devils must now file the contract once again or the NHLPA can file a grievance. I have no comment on the matter other than a 17-year contract was absolutely ridiculous in the first place. Looks like it's back to the drawing board for the Devils and Kovalchuk.