News Source: New York Post

http://www.nypost.com/

Devs may cap-size Salvador

Rumors abound since the Devils must shed some $3-5 million in salary cap liability by season's start. The latest strong word, though, is that GM Lou Lamoriello does not want to deal Bryce Salvador, thought to be one of the obvious sacrificial lambs. Together with Dainius Zubrus, Salvador would...

Ilya: I'm ready to go

Still in Russia, training for his first full season with the Devils, Ilya Kovalchuk told The Post he was unaware at the gala press conference that the NHL planned to reject his first contract signed July 19. "There would be no point to signing the contract if I knew it...

Now Lou must cut salaries

It took 65 days to keep Ilya Kovalchuk a Devil. Now the hard part begins for Lou Lamoriello. The Devils general manager must trim $3-6 million in salary cap liability just to start the season, and it's not going to be easy, or without pain. With Kovalchuk's 15-year...

Despite snags, Ilya should be Devil

What is supposed to be the finale of a deal wasn't quite going smoothly, but nothing else had in the prior 63 days of the Ilya Kovalchuk saga. The first clue that there was difficulty turning yesterday afternoon's "agreement in principle" into cast-iron documents was the hourly postponements...

NHL has window to penalize Devils

The NHL has been given Players Association approval until Sept. 17 to confiscate Devils draft picks and fine the team up to $3 million for its first signing of Ilya Kovalchuk, The Post has learned. The league, however, will not lower the Devils’ $59.4 million salary cap upper limit...

Finally! NHL approves Ilya’s new $100M deal with Devils

Even the final act took forever, but just before 3 a.m. today, the NHL officially approved the Devils’ $100 million, 15-year contract with Ilya Kovalchuk. After working through the night, nearly 10 hours beyond their deadline, the league and its Players Association completed the paperwork on an amendment to...

Stumblin' to a deal

What is supposed to be the finale of a deal wasn't quite going smoothly, but nothing else had in the prior 63 days of the Ilya Kovalchuk saga. The first clue that there was difficulty turning yesterday afternoon's "agreement in principle" into cast-iron documents was the hourly postponements...

Kovalchuk deal with Devils approved: report

A deal has been reported between the NHL and its Players Association which would certify Ilya Kovalchuk's contract with the Devils and finally end the two-month signing saga -- presumably pending ratification by the union. A Canadian television reports the NHL has agreed to permit Kovalchuk's contract, submitted...

It's the final D-Day for Ilya pact with Devs

The suspense thriller that is the Ilya Kovalchuk saga reaches yet another deadline this afternoon. They've meant little so far, but time is running short in this case. As reported exclusively by Larry Brooks in The Post yesterday, the NHL is tying approval of Kovalchuk's 15-year, $100 million...

Exclusive: NHLPA remains leaderless as Kovalchuck deadline approaches

The NHLPA remains without an executive director after Wednesday night's conference call among the 30 player reps comprising the union's executive board adjourned without taking a vote on installing Donald Fehr to the position, The Post has learned. This means that the union will remain essentially leaderless in...

NHL will play hardball over Ilya ... & others

The NHL has given the NHL Players Association an ultimatum regarding not only the contested, front-loaded, long-term contract between the Devils and Ilya Kovalchuk, but of similar contracts the league registered last summer between the Blackhawks and Marian Hossa, and between the Canucks and goaltender Roberto Luongo. The challenge, as...

NHL gives Players Assn. ultimatum on Kovalchuk, Luongo, Hossa

The NHL has given the NHLPA an ultimatum regarding the contested front-loaded contract of not only the Devils' Ilya Kovalchuk, but Vanocuver's Roberto Luongo and Chicago's Marian Hossa, as well, The Post has learned. A well placed source reports that the league has informed the Players' Assn. that...

Kovalchuk contract decision moved to Friday

The Devils' Unsettled Summer continues. The NHL, with the blessing of the Players Association, extended today's 5 p.m. deadline until Friday to rule on the Devils' $100 million, 15-year contract with Ilya Kovalchuk, after rejecting their initial deal nearly six weeks ago. It appears negotiations between the league...

FOX Sports: Where Devils can cut

The hockey world awaited word this weekend from the National Hockey League about whether or not it would accept the latest contract proposal from the Devils for superstar winger Ilya Kovalchuk. If the 15-year, $100 million deal is approved, Lou Lamoriello’s work won’t be done, as it’ll...

Devs face Ilya hit

It's difficult to fathom, but rumors are floating that Travis Zajac may be among the players the Devils will eventually sacrifice to get under the salary cap if Ilya Kovalchuk's $100 million, 15-year contract is approved by the NHL. Conventional wisdom suggests Bryce Salvador ($2.9 million) and...

Ilya to start chain reaction

When one headache ends, another begins for general manager Lou Lamoriello, who must decide who goes if Ilya Kovalchuk stays. The Devils and Kovalchuk are waiting to see if the NHL will bless their union this time. The contract submitted for NHL registration Friday reportedly covers 15 years for a...

New Ilya deal in NHL's hands

In what may be their last chance to keep Ilya Kovalchuk in North America this season, the Devils are waiting -- again -- for the NHL to approve their latest contract, submitted yesterday. If, as expected, the league OKs this deal, it will end a saga that reached 59 days...

Kovalchuk, Devils on verge of deal

This contract is supposed to stick. For the umpteenth time since July 1, the Devils and Ilya Kovalchuk are believed to be on the verge of a deal Friday, the difference being that this one will receive approval from the NHL. Kovalchuk reportedly issued a deadline of this weekend for...

Report: Kovy has deadline for NHL

Apparently fed up with his career becoming the NHL's salary cap battleground, Ilya Kovalchuk reportedly has set a deadline for the league to approve a contract with the Devils this weekend -- or he plans to sign to play this season in Russia. The league turned down Kovalchuk's...

Devs reworking Kovalchuk deal

With time now dwindling before training camp, it's becoming increasingly likely that the Devils and Ilya Kovalchuk will have to play hardball right back at the NHL. To get the two-time 52-goal scorer back on-ice in New Jersey for the Sept. 17 start of training camp, the Devils might...

NHL: Kovalchuk deal's a no-go

The Devils' hopes to sign Ilya Kovalchuk have been confounded again, denied encouragement from the NHL on their second try at a contract, The Post has learned. Now, the NHL is risking being the culprit if one of its most talented players leaves for Russia, as time becomes a factor...

Devils run new Ilya pact by league

This time, according to reports, the Devils and Ilya Kovalchuk's agent ran their contract scheme past the NHL instead of up the flagpole. This time, they hope the league salutes. Kovalchuk's new contract with the Devils could pass muster, perhaps as soon as today, if the NHL approves...

Devils meet with NHL, likely over new Kovalchuk deal: reports

Devils management met with NHL officials today, likely to discuss a new contract offer to Ilya Kovalchuk, according to reports. ESPN.com reports, "NJ owner Jeff Vanderbeek, NJ GM Lou Lamoriello and Ilya Kovalchuk's agent Jay Grossman met with NHL execs at league's NY office today." Yahoo! Sports...