Verdict on Kovalchuk Deal

The decision has finally been made by Richard Bloch. Ilya Kovalchuk is a free agent once again. Bloch ruled in favor of the NHL, rejecting the 17 year, $102 million contract between Kovy and the New Jersey Devils. Kovalchuk returns to free agency as an unrestricted free agent, meaning any team can approach him with an offer.

I first caught wind of this from EJ Hradek's twitter account. Hradek is a senior writer at ESPN The Magazine.

I would expect the Devils to come back with a restructured offer in an attempt to ink Kovy to a long term deal. He is looking to get a contract near the $100 million mark I heard. I also read somewhere that, had the Devils made it a 15 year deal worth $102 million, the NHL would have been more likely to accept it, but we'll never know. The other team that was in the mix, the LA Kings. Rumors have been circulating recently that a few other teams may take a look at Kovy.

So let us know what you think. Where will Ilya Kovalchuk be playing next season?