Comments on: Devils fined $3 million, lose two draft picks as NHL penalizes club for first Ko

By: albertateams

albertateams — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 10:21:36 +0000

It could have been much worse, no doubt but it is still a pretty harsh penalty for a club to take. If they wouldn't have done the initial contract they would have Kovy and the picks and money though. So that's kind of circular logic.

By: broc

broc — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 05:12:57 +0000

Wow, harsh penalty. Clearly Bettman is trying to set a precedent.

The Devils deserved a harsh penalty though- while some deals like Luongo and Hossa are bit over the line- the Devils deal with Kovalchuk was a kick to the face. Why not just make a 30 year deal and have a cap hit of 2.8 mil? It might as well have been that.

Other teams pushed the envelope... the Devils ripped the envelope up and spat in the leagues face- what were they expecting after signing that embarrassment of a contract?

Look how much getting Kovalchuk has cost that team now.. LOL

By: frankinboltonleafs

frankinboltonleafs — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 22:49:59 +0000

He may or may not be… what he has done is possibly spark Jersey to be a serious Cup contender where I'd pegged them not to make the playoffs. Kovalchuk is the epitome of the selfish player. Long shifts…the old guard with the Devils openly commented on it when he first arrived, (the old guard will be gone shortly to make cap space). But now Bettman has planted the seed of injustice…just what the Devil's front office needed. Now the focus is on that injustice and not the manour of how Kovalchuk was obtained. I can see Brodeur making this season his swan song now. So I guess I hate Bettman as much as you.

By: reinjosh

reinjosh — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 17:04:58 +0000

Yeah I assume it would be like how teams get draft picks for unsigned picks who don't sign contracts alla the Wheeler in Phoenix deal or Cherepanov in Rangers deal.

I think its steep enough for teams like St Louis or other smaller market teams not to try it. I still think its of nominal importance to the Devils. Sure it will stop them for a year in the draft or in trades but its not the end of the world. In the end Kovy outways that loss.

By: Kramer

Kramer — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 15:47:13 +0000

Lamarello would rather pay the fine than get in hot water with the mob. If you had a hit man after you, who would you rather upset, the mafia or Bettman? Bettman of course. So there you go. Lamarello told the NHL then he'd happily pay the fine. Behind every action, there's a big conspiracy. Everything is organized.

By: CofRED

CofRED — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 15:30:15 +0000

Or at least make them decide which year after THIS year's Cup final, don't let them wait until a weak draft year or a year when they have an extremely late pick (27-30). Make them decide right away, don't let them suffer their punishment when it's convenient for them.

By: Leafs_the_word

Leafs_the_word — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 15:19:43 +0000

I don't get how Bettman gives Jersey the option to select which year they give up their 1st. If you're making an example out of them then do it, take the 1st away immediately, just looks soft otherwise.

By: hockey_lover

hockey_lover — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 15:04:14 +0000

Shhh .. that makes sense. Dont use logic.

By: CofRED

CofRED — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 15:02:33 +0000

The penalty is for the contract the league rejected, not for the one it approved.

By: Kramer

Kramer — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 14:34:07 +0000

The was pressure from the mafia for Lamerello to make a deal. Time was running out, the seasons about to start and big bets had to be placed through bookie joints. There's lots of money to be made in the gambling rackets. Lamerello had to no choice but to appease the mob bosses. I've seen enough Sopranos episodes to know how the operation works. It's big business.