[MarkGio]

I think this is how the Kovalchuk situation will play if he doesn't want to play for New Jersey:
-- Kovalchuk will sign with Jersey, but threaten to "retire" again if Jersey doesn't trade him
-- Shero needs a tradeable contract (ie, 3 million for 2 years) from Kovy to make it happen.
-- Shero will refuse to sign him and WILL NOT vote for his ability to play in the league if Kovalchuk doesn't sign a tradeable contract
-- Shero will give Kovalchuk a NTC so that Kovy gets some control of where he plays
-- Shero gets a 1st round pick or whatever from the contract, which is better than nothing

Obviously Jersey needs Kovalchuk on that roster because they lack good forwards, but I just can't see Kovalchuk wanting to play on a basement dwelling team for his comeback debut.