Arbitrator Richard Bloch has ruled in favor of the NHL and determined that Ilya Kovalchuk's 17-year, $102 million contract with the New Jersey Devils must be void as it circumvents the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
As a result, Kovalchuk becomes an unrestricted free agent.
"We want to thank Arbitrator Bloch for his prompt resolution of a complex issue," NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said in a statement. "His ruling is consistent with the League's view of the manner in which the Collective Bargaining Agreement should deal with contracts that circumvent the Salary Cap."
Devils GM Lou Lamoriello issued the following statement in response to the ruling:
"We have reviewed and respect Arbitrator Bloch's ruling in the Kovalchuk matter. We also note and appreciate his finding that nothing in his opinion should be read as suggesting that either the club or Ilya Kovalchuk operated in bad faith or on the basis of any assumption other than that the Standard Player Contract was fully compliant with the CBA. That has been our consistent position throughout.
"While we do not currently have a contract with Ilya Kovalchuk, discussions have resumed and we are hopeful that a contract will be reached that meets with the principles in Arbitrator Bloch's award and the NHL's approval."
Kovalchuk's deal would have paid him $6 million in each of the next two seasons and $11.5 million for the next five seasons, then begin to dip to $10.5 million, $8.5 million, $6.5 million and $3.5 million for one year each, $750,000 for 2021-22 and $550,00 through to 2027.
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