NHL rejects Kovalchuk's 17-year deal with Devils

Kovalchuk beamed Tuesday during a news conference after receiving a 17-year, US$102 million contract with the Devils — the longest deal in NHL history. But before the day was finished, he was in limbo again.

Just one day after Kovalchuk and the Devils agreed to the record-setting contract, the league determined that it was illegal, a person familiar with the issues raised told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the NHL hadn't made a formal announcement.

The contract was rejected because years of low salary at the end of the deal were added for the sole purpose of lowering the cap hit. The person added that it was determined that neither the Devils nor Kovalchuk believe he will play the final years of the deal at those terms. The All-Star was slated to earn only US$550,000 in each of the last five seasons of the contract that was to run through the 2026-27 season, when Kovalchuk will be 44.

Kovalchuk was to earn US$98.5 million of the US$102 million in the first 11 years of the deal.

Neither the Devils nor Kovalchuk's agent, Jay Grossman, commented after the contract was rejected.

Based on provisions in the collective bargaining agreement between the players' association and the league, the union has five business days after being informed that the contract was rejected to file a grievance on behalf of Kovalchuk. The deal would remain voided if no grievance is filed or if an arbitrator agrees that the contract is illegal.

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