Cap change could hamstring NHL's big spenders
August, 20, 2012
By Craig Custance | ESPN Insider
Jerry Lai/US PresswireThe fallout from Ilya Kovalchuk's contract could reach into the current CBA talks.When Ilya Kovalchuk's contract was finally approved in the summer of 2010, the decision also meant the NHL dropped investigations into the long-term contracts for Roberto Luongo, Marian Hossa, Marc Savard and Chris Pronger. It also provided teams and players a blueprint for how long-term contracts could be structured and earn the approval of the league.
The Devils were punished for their attempt to circumvent the salary cap by losing a first-round pick, but other teams that negotiated similar deals went unpunished. The blueprint led to similarly structured long-term deals for players like Brad Richards, Zach Parise and Ryan Suter.