I think they will reach a compromise. The cap hit will be in the 7 million range and we will be completely handcuffed while trying to clear cap space. We may wind up seeing more rookies in the lineup than we expected.
They're not going to change the Kovy contract. There's only two outcomes.
A: The PA does the smart thing, let's the NHL have its terms that affect about 5 players out of 700. Kovy, Luongo, Hossa, etc. are all safe and sound in the NHL's favorite markets.
B: The PA disagrees and the NHL voids all those guys contracts. Kovy goes to russia.
I haven't read anywhere that the Devils are working a new contract.
My twitter'd hockey writers seem like they're hearing that the league and PA will come to an agreement.
throughout the kovy situation i've followed mainly TG, chesnokov (being my big 2) and occasionally hradek and dreger.
and the nhlpa will not do anything that won't get this deal approved IMO, so if they have any success we are good to go.
but i do agree with nasty in that even if this contract goes through, (the 15 year) i do think when we clear we will be seeing more rookies than expected potentially and i think were already expecting 2.