SB Nation New York - The Calm before the Ilya Kovalchuk Stormhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48977/ny-fave.png2010-08-08T11:57:46-04:00http://newyork.sbnation.com/rss/stream/13608222010-08-08T11:57:46-04:002010-08-08T11:57:46-04:00The Calm Before The Storm
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<p>Although the hearing has been over since Thursday, there has still been no decision. This is expected, especially since many experts pegged that arbitrator Richard Bloch wouldn’t make his decision until tomorrow (Monday).</p>
<p>Either way this particular part of this process will be over tomorrow, simply because the deadline for Bloch to make his decision is Monday night. Which way he will choose is still unknown.</p>
<p>Speaking of unknown, both the <span class="caps">NHL</span>, the <span class="caps">NHLPA</span>, the New Jersey Devils and Ilya Kovalchuk have been incredibly tight lipped about this entire saga. The Devils have refused to comment about anything, and no one was really expecting a statement from Gary Bettman during this hearing.</p>
<p>So as it stands right now, we’re at the calm before the storm. But no matter what happens, tomorrow — or maybe even later today (although I doubt it) — we will be back to the familiar site of seeing Kovalchuk dominate every <span class="caps">NHL</span> venue.</p>
<p>Including this one.</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/2010/8/8/1612080/the-calm-before-the-stormJoseph Fortunato2010-08-05T15:35:48-04:002010-08-05T15:35:48-04:00Ilya Kovalchuk Hearing Officially Over
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<p>But the saga’s not .. yet.</p>
<p>Yes, the 48-hour hearing is over. Both the <span class="caps">NHL</span> and the <span class="caps">NHLPA</span> have laid their cards on the table, and have tried to convince arbitrator Richard Bloch that their view of the situation is correct.</p>
<p>Now it becomes decision time for Bloch as both the <span class="caps">NHL</span> (and all their fans) and Ilya Kovalchuk sit on the edge of their seats waiting for the ruling.</p>
<p><a href="http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/">Tom Gulitti from Fire and Ice doesn’t expect a decision before Monday however:</a></p>
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<p>System arbitrator Richard Bloch has until the end of business on Monday to submit his decision to the <span class="caps">NHL</span> and the <span class="caps">NHL</span> Players’ Association.</p>
<p>From what I’ve been told, Bloch’s ruling likely won’t come before Monday.</p>
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<p>I’m sure there there will be an obvious vested interest from nearly everyone in the <span class="caps">NHL</span>. Most people that you talk to have drawn their own battle lines on the matter. Some think that a deal like this will aid to another lockout. Others claim that — while deals like this aren’t good for the <span class="caps">NHL</span> — the deal was perfectly legal in terms of the current <span class="caps">CBA</span>.</p>
<p>As it is right now, no one knows what will happen next. All I know is that we’re in familiar territory once again with the Kovalchuk saga, waiting.</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/2010/8/5/1607393/ilya-kovalchuk-hearing-officiallyJoseph Fortunato2010-08-04T22:10:55-04:002010-08-04T22:10:55-04:00Things To Know About The Ilya Kovalchuk Hearing
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<p>OK, now that we are finally underway with the Ilya Kovalchuk hearing here are some misconceptions:</p>
<p><i>Since it’s a 48-hour arbitration hearing, the judge will come up with an answer on Friday. </i></p>
<p>Not exactly. The 48-hour arbitration hearing is a chance for both sides to lay out their reasons for why they think they are right. The <span class="caps">NHLPA</span> will obviously argue that the Kovalchuk contract should not have been rejected, while Bettman and the <span class="caps">NHL</span> will argue that it breached the terms of the current <span class="caps">CBA</span>.</p>
<p>Once all of that is finished, the arbitrator will take the information and make an executive decision. That <span class="caps">DOES</span> <span class="caps">NOT</span> mean that the decision will come on Friday. It could come right at the end of the hearing, but that doesn't mean that it's likely. In fact, the wait from the end of the hearing to when an official decision is made could be a few days.</p>
<p>Expectations are that we will know by Monday, although there are a few speculations that we will know earlier than that. Either way, this isn’t over on Friday … probably.</p>
<p><i>Does Kovlachuk have to appear at the hearing? </i></p>
<p>No he does not. He can show up if he wants to, but at the end of the day he really isn’t needed. He is well represented by the <span class="caps">NHLPA</span>, and he brings nothing to the table that the <span class="caps">NHLPA</span> would need.</p>
<p>Yes, this case is all about his contract, but it’s not about him. And as a result, he does not need to be there.</p>
<p><i>Does anyone get in trouble at the end of all of this?</i></p>
<p>Not really. if the <span class="caps">NHL</span> wins then the Devils can be fined up to $5 million, <a href="http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/">according to Tom Gulitti.</a></p>
<p>If the <span class="caps">NHLPA</span> wins then the <span class="caps">NHL</span> has to register and approve the deal. Obviously the <span class="caps">NHL</span> doesn’t want this, so I suppose that’s their punishment.</p>
<p><i>What happens if the <span class="caps">NHLPA</span> wins?</i></p>
<p>If the <span class="caps">NHLPA</span> wins then the NHL’s decision to reject Kovalchuk’s contract is overturned. Thus, he will officially start his 17-year $102 million contract. If the <span class="caps">NHLPA</span> wins, then this saga is officially over.</p>
<p><i>What happens if the <span class="caps">NHL</span> wins?</i></p>
<p>If the <span class="caps">NHL</span> wins then the NHL’s decision to reject Kovalchuk’s contract is upheld. This would mean that Kovalchuk is once again a free agent, and is free to negotiate with other teams; or to re-structure his contract with the Devils.</p>
<p><i>No matter what, this will all come to an end once the arbitrator makes his ruling.</i></p>
<p>Not exactly. If the <span class="caps">NHLPA</span> wins, then this saga (finally) comes to an end. But if the <span class="caps">NHL</span> wins, then Kovalchuk is a free agent again, and we start this entire process all over again from square one.</p>
<p>Well that’s what you guys have to know! Hope it helps.</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/2010/8/4/1606076/things-to-know-about-the-ilyaJoseph Fortunato2010-08-02T20:17:20-04:002010-08-02T20:17:20-04:00Ilya Kovalchuk Hearing Wednesday Not Tomorrow
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<p>According to <a href="http://twitter.com/nyp_brooksie">Larry Brooks</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/jeffmarek">Jeff Marek</a> the Ilya Kovalchuk hearing will actually take place on Wednesday. Not tomorrow, as originally reported.</p>
<p>Still the rules remain the same. It will be a 48-hour case in which an arbitrator will rule as to whether or not the <span class="caps">NHL</span> had a right to reject the contract. More when we have it.</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/2010/8/2/1601963/ilya-kovalchuk-hearing-wednesdayJoseph Fortunato2010-08-02T19:14:21-04:002010-08-02T19:14:21-04:00Ilya Kovalchuk Hearing To Happen On Tuesday In Boston
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<p>The Ilya Kovalchuk saga is nearing it’s end, finally. At this time it seems to be real.</p>
<p>A date for the hearing to decide whether or not the <span class="caps">NHL</span> had a right to reject the heavily front-loaded 17-year $102-million dollar deal had been set for this Tuesday.</p>
<p><a href="http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/report_kovalchuk_hearing_to_begin_tuesday_in_boston/">Here is more from Tom Gulitti:</a></p>
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<p>The hearing to decide the grievance about Ilya Kovalchuk’s rejected contract will begin Tuesday in Boston, his mother, Luba Kovalchuk, reportedly told Sovetsky Sport—according to Puck Daddy’s Dmitry Chesnokov. Luba Kovalchuk said her son delayed his return to Russia to attend the two-day hearing.</p>
<p>Kovalchuk is not required to attend the hearing, in which "system" arbitrator Richard Bloch will determine whether Kovalchuk’s 17-year, $102 million contract with the Devils complies with the collective bargaining agreement or if the <span class="caps">NHL</span> was correct in rejecting the contract. If Bloch upholds the league’s decision, Kovalchuk will become an unrestricted free agent.</p>
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<p>The two-day hearing will obviousloy take place tomorrow, and it’s ramifications will be immense either way. Regardless of what happens this saga finally seems to be drawing to an end.</p>
<p>Stay tuned here and at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.inlouwetrust.com/"><strong><font color="#29388a">In Lou We Trust</font></strong></a> for more. </p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/2010/8/2/1601868/ilya-kovalchuk-hearing-to-happenJoseph Fortunato2010-07-30T13:58:29-04:002010-07-30T13:58:29-04:00Report: Kovalchuk Hearing to Be Held Early Next Week
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<p>According to <a href="http://twitter.com/TGfireandice" target="_blank">Tom Gulitti</a> of the Bergen Record: </p>
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<p>Source: a system arbitrator has been agreed upon and a day/site for the Kovalchuk arbitration has been set. Don't know either, yet.</p>
<p>The objective remains that the case will be settled by the end of next week. So, you can guess that the hearing will be Monday/Tuesday</p>
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<p>As you know by now, once the hearing is held, the decision by the arbitrator must be made within 48 hours. Many believe Kovalchuk's side has a good case to override the league's decision to reject the 27-year-old Russian star's 17-year, $102-million contract with New Jersey. </p>
<p>Stay tuned here and at <a href="http://www.inlouwetrust.com/" target="_blank">In Lou We Trust</a> for more. </p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/2010/7/30/2318607/report-kovalchuk-hearing-to-be-held-early-next-weekSteve Lepore