Consider this an official appeal of the Columbus Blue Jacket – Regarding Mr. Ilya Kovalchuk
The Columbus Blue Jackets do not agree with this decision and believe the CPHL rules are simply outdated and need to be changed. An easy fix here and one that makes sense is to simply change the word ‘NHL’ with ‘hockey’. Contrary to what Grant has said, this is a unique situation. Kovalchuk is 30 years old and will be continuing his career in the KHL. He will also play in the Olympics and much like Jagr, WILL be back in the NHL someday. He simply used the word “retiring from the NHL” to get out of his NHL contract, it’s as simple as that.
As the GM of the Jackets and a dedicated GM who puts countless hours into his team, I am pretty shocked that I wasn’t even invited to be a part of this conversation.
Kovalchuk has 1 year left on his contract in the CPHL, do the right thing, change the wording in the rules, let him play 1 year and then he is a UFA. No one will sign him and then he is done. The Jackets are still punished becaused they only get 1 year out of Kovalchuk.
Please consider my appeal and get back to me by today, Friday July 12, 2013 @ 4:00MST
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