Kovalchuk Saga puts a Red Flag on Gary Bettman

During the NHL Lockout in 2004-2005, I was definitely all for a salary cap in the NHL because some contracts were simply out of control like the Bobby Holik 5 year $45 million dollar one with the NY Rangers. The NHL won its fight against the PA thus instituting a hard but flexible salary cap meaning that if league revenues go up, the cap would go up. However, the one thing NHL failed to address was term limits on contracts, so technically the Devils did nothing wrong even during the 17 year deal, but the NHL was maybe trying to send a strong and stiff message that these deals are unacceptable. You can start with Rick DiPietro's 15 year $67.5 million dollar deal with the Islanders and he has been hurt for most of the contract. His contract was maybe the first front loaded deal in the NHL and it definitely began the issue of term limits.

One thing for sure, the Ilya Kovalchuk saga has definitely hurt Commissioner Gary Bettman even if they approve the 15 year deal. Amongst the board of governors he might be viewed as a hero, but amongst the general fan and public, he is simply an adversary. He gets booed every single year at the draft and when he awards the Conn Smyth trophy and Stanley Cup. He will definitely face a lot of adversity and thus might not be allowed inside the Pridential Center or "The Rock" for a very long time unless the Devils win the Stanley Cup and he will be heavily booed as well. But Gary Bettman know one thing, the Commissioner's job is not a popularity contest and that the entire NHL supports his job. But still this saga raises more questions than answers regardless of what the final rendering of the verdict by Friday at 5 PM would be. The fact that the deadline has been extended by both parties seems to be positive news, that they could resolve this saga together and that Kovalchuk will be a Devil. Devils General Manager Lou Lamoriello is confident everything will work out in his favor.

There definitely needs to be a clause in the next CBA for term limits because it will make players and agents and GM's more accountable for their handling of the salary cap.