Confirmed with Link: Ilya Kovalchuk Feigns Retirement to go to KHL, Part II

[SteveCangialosi123]

So, I'm going to have to tell my 8 yr old kid, who I dragged to an autograph signing wearing his Kovy shirt to meet the guy - and who asks every 5 seconds while watching a game 'Is Kovy on the ice? Did he score?' that his idol just up and split.

I really can't believe it. I might not be able to watch any Devils games next year nor go to any games again simply on the basis that I don't think I can face my own kid and look him in the eye and try to explain this.

He might get the homesick part, but geez.

wow man sorry that sucks. that's a tough situation. i guess you have to tell him the truth.

 

[hlaverty06]

Gonna go hit up the liquor store before they sell out

Or they pack up and go to Russia

 

[bmqdevils]

I was going to play some NHL 13 to try to get away from this. Then I realized I'd still be playing with kovalchuk. Fml

 

[manilaNJ]

There is some crazy conspiracy level crap going on all over twitter, though.

Apparently this was Lou's grand plan all along and he chose the perfect moment to drop the contract just so his broke franchise didn't have to pay for Kovalchuk.

Which makes sense, that a GM who prides himself on winning would ship the best forward off of an offensively stunted roster off to Russia. Just to save some cash.

Can't even wrap my brain around half of the bs being thrown out there right now

 

[glenwo2]

We would just do that to Stepan then

Would be hilarious if we ended up with Stepan.

 

[billingtons ghost]

This is the New Jersey Devils. As much as this really sucks, the team will move on and continue on. You obviously can't just replace a guy like Kovalchuk, same with Parise. You just hope Lou can work some more magic and the organization will carry on.

Still, this is one of the most depressing days I've felt as a Devils fan, going back 26 years now.

Seriously - This is pretty unprecedented.

I mean, Barry Sanders screwing the Lions, but he was there from the start and there was no hope for improvement.

I can't think of anyone in any sport, who at the peak of their career just buggered off like this.

 

[Saugus]

Also, we are no longer a playoff team on paper, and we don't have a first round pick. ****.

 

[Benedict Parisechuk]

So, I'm going to have to tell my 8 yr old kid, who I dragged to an autograph signing wearing his Kovy shirt to meet the guy - and who asks every 5 seconds while watching a game 'Is Kovy on the ice? Did he score?' that his idol just up and split.

I really can't believe it. I might not be able to watch any Devils games next year nor go to any games again simply on the basis that I don't think I can face my own kid and look him in the eye and try to explain this.

He might get the homesick part, but geez.

Jeez man that is rough. The newer generation of Devils fans are really the ones that suffer from this. They grew up watching this guy for 4 years and think hes greatest thing since sliced bread and then in the blink of an eye hes gone. Same thing with Parise as well. Really makes you appreciate Elias and Marty.

 

[DevilChuk*]

I was going to play some NHL 13 to try to get away from this. Then I realized I'd still be playing with kovalchuk. Fml

Not sure what's worse.. having to play NHL13 with Kovalchuk or having to play NHL14 without him..

 

[Saugus]

Seriously - This is pretty unprecedented.

I mean, Barry Sanders screwing the Lions, but he was there from the start and there was no hope for improvement.

I can't think of anyone in any sport, who at the peak of their career just buggered off like this.

This is like Jordan leaving the Bulls to play baseball.

 

[hlaverty06]

So, I'm going to have to tell my 8 yr old kid, who I dragged to an autograph signing wearing his Kovy shirt to meet the guy - and who asks every 5 seconds while watching a game 'Is Kovy on the ice? Did he score?' that his idol just up and split.

I really can't believe it. I might not be able to watch any Devils games next year nor go to any games again simply on the basis that I don't think I can face my own kid and look him in the eye and try to explain this.

He might get the homesick part, but geez.

tell him Kovy was euthanized

 

[Kevo18]

The last time I drank rum, I dropped out of school.

I bought rum for tonight.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I saw this at work and was useless for the rest of the day because I was so pissed. This makes no ****ing sense to me. Is there any further explanation for why beyond Kovy just saying he wants to go to Russia?

It's really getting ridiculous how often we lose our star players. And this is a guy we assumed would be here for a while.

Russia and money. That seems to be about it. No other reason, **** us, that is that.

 

[Just Win]

There is some crazy conspiracy level crap going on all over twitter, though.

Apparently this was Lou's grand plan all along and he chose the perfect moment to drop the contract just so his broke franchise didn't have to pay for Kovalchuk.

Which makes sense, that a GM who prides himself on winning would ship the best forward off of an offensively stunted roster off to Russia. Just to save some cash.

Can't even wrap my brain around half of the bs being thrown out there right now

There is a lot of thin foil on twatter.

 

[DevilChuk*]

tell him Kovy was euthanized

hahahahah

oh boy hahaha

 

[yehyeh]

Can't believe the Devs are on the front page of ESPN. Figures it would be something like this though...

 

[Benedict Parisechuk]

Seriously - This is pretty unprecedented.

I mean, Barry Sanders screwing the Lions, but he was there from the start and there was no hope for improvement.

I can't think of anyone in any sport, who at the peak of their career just buggered off like this.

Yea I mentioned that already. Sanders was the first thing to come to my mind but someone else said Ricky Williams which is probably a better comparison.

 

[glenwo2]

After hearing that Luo voided the contract i am beginning to think that there is WAY more to this story than meets the eye.

My gut feeling is that yes Kovi did want to go home but knew he had a contract and left it at that but here is the kicker.

It is no secret that the Devils have had $$$ issues and i really think that ownership played a part in this. I think they either proposed retirement to Kovi to get out of the $$$$$ owing and Kovi agreed so he could go home.


Question since Luo voided the contract could Kovi sign in the NHl with an other club??

Dude, stop posting things that you have no knowledge of.

The Devils have no financial issues. The only thing is that they were currently in transition of a New Owner coming in. THAT'S IT.

It didn't affect Hockey Operations or Lou from signing players or anything like that.

C'mon now....

 

[Chessarmy]

I am absolutely gutted and shocked. I can't say anything right now. I'm frozen.

 

[njdevils1982]

what a ****ing *******. could he have not done this before free agency began......he can rot for eternity for all i care.

left the team high and dry.......**** off and go home to your russia, piece of ****

 

[AfroThunder396]

I really hope he gets banned from playing in the Sochi Olympics. I know it's not likely, but I know how dearly he hold representing his country and I want that taken from him with extreme prejudice.

 

[Classic Devil]

I really want rookie camp to start so I'd have something else to talk about.

 

[glenwo2]

tell him Kovy was euthanized

Better yet....Tell him Kovy was Neutered. Woof.

 

[Classic Devil]

I really hope he gets banned from playing in the Sochi Olympics. I know it's not likely, but I know how dearly he hold representing his country and I want that taken from him with extreme prejudice.

He won't. We could have taken that from him if we'd decided to toll his contract, but we can't.

 

[Basement Cat]

Someones gotta make a Kovy video with michaela McLaughlin's "I will remember you" in the background so I can sob all this sadness away