2013 NHL Free Agency...

[Future]

I'm speechless over Kovalchuk retiring. i simply cannot believe it. The team had so much going for them this year too. Speechless

Well its a well known fact that his wife didnt like living in the U.S., and people have thought this was a possibility for years.

Long term, this will help the devils

 

[RastaRocket]

Well its a well known fact that his wife didnt like living in the U.S., and people have thought this was a possibility for years.

Long term, this will help the devils

They lost draft picks and their best player so I'm not sure how that helps them long term. Sure, they'll eventually get over it but it will have nothing to do with Kovy.

 

[Future]

They lost draft picks and their best player so I'm not sure how that helps them long term. Sure, they'll eventually get over it but it will have nothing to do with Kovy.

They dont have to pay that guy another $80 million or whatever it was. Losing the draft pick has nothing to do with him retiring, that was Lamoriello's fault for trying to circumvent the cap.

The Devils were not going anywhere this year, and now they are in position to make some moves next year. Kovalchuk off the books saves a bunch, and with Brodeur and Zidlicky both likely being gone, that opens up another 8.5 mil. They'll be able to make a splash or two in FA. So in the long run, its good to have him out of there.

....That is all not to mention the fact that they Devils are about $300 million in debt and looking for a buyer who probably doesnt want to take on an $80 million liability.

 

[RastaRocket]

Ya they'll have a lot of money to spend, but it's not like the NBA where star players hit free agency and hop teams constantly. I know it's not his fault they lost the draft picks but if they weren't so committed to him they would still have Parise and those draft picks. Now that Kovy has jumped ship they are in a bad situation and don't have a first round pick to build on next season. I still say it will hurt them a lot more than it will help.