Kings and Devils set for 2012 Stanley Cup Final

By Kat

It’ll mark the lowest seed to ever win the Stanley Cup, but the Los Angeles Kings (8th in the West) and the New Jersey Devils (6th in the East) are set to go at it for the greatest trophy in sport. It’s a contest between two similar teams: defensively-minded, hard on the forecheck and marquee names in goal. Both teams also win by committee, rolling and getting contributions from all four lines. Perhaps those similarities are leading many to think that this year’s Final to be a toss-up between the Kings and Devils, if this graphic from NHL.com has anything to say:

NHL.com makes their picks for the 2012 SCF
NHL.com writers make their picks; might as well flip a coin!
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End to Kovalchuk Saga

kovy_clip
The NHL story of the summer has finally come to an end. Ilya Kovalchuk has signed a deal with the New Jersey Devils (for the second time this summer). And unlike the first contract, this $100 million, 15 year deal has been approved by the NHL. Now he can finally put the contract negotiations behind him and get prepared for the Devil’s first game against the Dallas Stars.

The first Kovalchuk deal with the NJ Devils was not approved by the NHL on grounds that it deliberately circumvented the league’s salary cap. It was a 17 year $102 million contract, with Kovalchuk receiving just under 80 percent ($80 million) in the first 7 years. In the new deal Kovalchuk will be paid $93 million up until the 2023-2024 season. Though the differences in amount between the two contracts may seem small in perspective, the major difference will by felt in the New Jersey Devils salary cap. Read More

Breaking News: Decision on Kovalchuk Contract

Ilya Kovalchuk
Ilya Kovalchuk

It has been reported that NHL mediator, Richard Block, has sided with the NHL and against the NHLPA’s suite filed for Ilya Kovalchuk.

The controversial, 17-year, $102 million contract with the New Jersey Devils went to arbitration after the NHL rejected the front loaded nature of the contract. The league initially denied the contract, stating it circumvented the salary cap. At the heart of the issue were the final five years, paid at the salary cap minimum of $550,000 and having the contract expire when Ilya Kovalchuk was 44 years old (contract details). Read More