In some amazingly shocking news, the New Jersey Devils announced that forward Ilya Kovalchuk has retired from the NHL. The news is so shocking that most people thought that the New Jersey Devils Public Relations Twitter account had been hacked. But, this is apparently reality and not a sick joke. The 30-year-old superstar retires with $77 Million remaining on his 15-year $100 Million contract. The contract is what costs the Devils their 1st round pick for next year, because they tried to circumvent the cap rules when they made the first contract.
Remember that the #devils have to forfeit their first-round pick next season because of the Ilya Kovalchuk contract.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 11, 2013
Kovalchuk made $53,829,023 during his 11 seasons in the NHL. He's leaving $77M over 12 years on his NJ contract.
— Brian Costello (@bcostellothn) July 11, 2013
Kovalchuk had this to say about his retirement:
Kovalchuk: "This decision was something I have thought about for a long time going back to the lockout and spending the year in Russia."
— NJDevilsPR (@NJDevilsPR) July 11, 2013
Kovalchuk: "Though I decided to return this past season, Lou was aware of my desire to go back home and have my family there with me."
— NJDevilsPR (@NJDevilsPR) July 11, 2013
Kovalchuk: "Though I decided to return this past season, Lou was aware of my desire to go back home and have my family there with me."
— NJDevilsPR (@NJDevilsPR) July 11, 2013
Kovalchuk: "The most difficult thing for me is to leave the New Jersey Devils, a great organization that I have a lot of respect for…
— NJDevilsPR (@NJDevilsPR) July 11, 2013
Kovalchuk (cont.): "… and our fans that have been great to me.” #NJDevils #NHL
— NJDevilsPR (@NJDevilsPR) July 11, 2013
Devils General Manager Lou Lamoriello had this to say:
Lou Lamoriello: "After many conversations with Ilya over the past year on his desire to retire from the National Hockey League…
— NJDevilsPR (@NJDevilsPR) July 11, 2013
Lamoriello (cont.): "…Ilya’s decision became official today."
— NJDevilsPR (@NJDevilsPR) July 11, 2013
Lamoriello: "On behalf of the entire organization, I wish Ilya and his family all the best in their future endeavors.” #NJDevils #NHL
— NJDevilsPR (@NJDevilsPR) July 11, 2013
Kovalchuk’s move is a shocking one and will put the New Jersey Devils in a horrible spot. The Devils now no longer have their franchise forward, they have to forfeit a first round pick in the 2014 NHL Draft and they will now have to pay a fine as part of a salary recapture penalty because he retired with years left on his contract. On top of that, they have now lost their two franchise players in back-to-back offseasons, without getting any compensation back for them. Zach Parise left for the Minnesota Wild and now Kovalchuk is going home.
Devils will be charged $250,000 vs. cap for each season through 2024-25 as the cap recapture penalty.
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) July 11, 2013
Kovalchuk may have left a lot of money on the table, but if he decides to play in the KHL (which he likely will) he will make back all the money he is missing out on quite easily.
Per a source within KHL, Kovalchuk made upwards of $15M while playing there during the lockout. IF he goes there, that's his likely salary.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) July 11, 2013
This isn’t something that will change and Kovalchuk is most definitely gone to play for SKA in the KHL.
Ilya Kovalchuk has submitted his "voluntary retired list" paperwork with the NHL/NHLPA signed by Lou Lamoriello. So it is official.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 11, 2013
Source close to Kovalchuk said he saw it coming. Most likely Kovalchuk will play for SKA. I am told major announcement will come very soon.
— Dmitry Chesnokov (@dchesnokov) July 11, 2013
This is a sad day for Devils fans and Kovalchuk fans alike. Ilya put up some impressive numbers in his short career in the NHL and he will definitely be missed. The Atlanta Thrashers took Kovalchuk with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 Draft. He played the next seven-plus seasons there, before being dealt to the Devils during the 2009-10 season. He won the Rocket Richard Trophy in 2004 after tying for the NHL lead with 41 goals that year. Kovalchuk only made it to the playoffs twice, once with Atlanta in 2006, and once with New Jersey in 2012. Atlanta was swept out of the first round, but New Jersey made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final before losing in six games to the Los Angeles Kings. Had Kovalchuk won a Stanley Cup, this decision would be a lot less shocking, but apparently Kovalchuk is home sick and doesn’t care about winning the NHL’s holy grail.
Kovalchuk retires with career #NHL totals of 417 goals and 399 assists for 816 points with 516 penalty minutes in 816 games. #NJDevils
— NJDevilsPR (@NJDevilsPR) July 11, 2013
