When will Kovalchuk Saga finally End?

Yesterday could have been the end of the Ilya Kovalchuk saga, but instead the league's indecisiveness forced an extension of the process for another two days. Now the deadline is Friday at 5 PM. However, many analysts believe the NHL will ask for another extension possibly until Tuesday after Labor Day to render its decision. One way or another both the NHL and NHLPA have done damage to their respective reputations in this saga. The person that has imposed the most damage to himself is obviously Gary Bettman. It is very likely that if the NHL asks for another extension, Kovalchuk will part ways with the Devils at least for this season and sign in the KHL. Right now we have to sit and wait, but in my opinion there has to be a change in the NHL hierarchy if this process drags on longer. Sure this is a serious matter for the NHL and they are being fiscally responsible, but if they want to be fiscally responsible, why did they approve DiPietro's 15 year deal with the Islanders, Lecavalier's 11 year deal with the Lightning, Hossa's 12 year with the Hawks and other contracts. The league has to approve Kovalchuk's and look to the next CBA talks to address this matter. This saga better end tomorrow in what has been the most bizarre offseason in NHL history.