Kovalchuk a Free Man
Ilya Kovalchuk is back on the free-agent market.
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An arbiter has decided that the NHL acted correctly in voiding Kovalchuk’s landmark $102 million contract with the New Jersey Devils.
The league had rejected the 17-year contract, saying the longest deal in league history violated its salary cap.
The NHL Players Associaton filed a grievance against the league. A hearing was held last week and arbiter Richard Bloch sided with the league when he issued his ruling on Monday.
The decision puts Kovalchuk back on the market. The high-scoring Russian was hockey’s biggest prize in free agency this year with 338 goals and 304 assists in 642 career games.
Posted: 8/10/10 1:30AM ET