[News] Ilya Kovalchuk retiring

[Fire]

Devils got a lucky break here and it only cost them a 1st rounder.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

It will be interesting to see if the NHL brings anything up with the IIHF. The eligibility issue to play in IIHF tournaments was pretty much the only thing that the NHL was holding over players heads to prevent them from abandoning their NHL contracts for the KHL. Now that someone has used the retirement loophole, I wonder if the NHL does anything to close it or pressure the IIHF not to recognize retirement or something along those lines.

It seems like the Devils not tolling the contract is the defining thing here, they've basically released him which would appear to make him free to play wherever. Lots of random info floating around right now though so who knows what's true.

[Mightyfire89]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

I suspect he's got a deal in the KHL that probably pays him just as much. There's no way he walks away from that much money if he didn't have something in place (unless he's got some serious illness or he went bonkers ala Dave Chappelle).

I think you're right that he's going to play in Russia and therefore get his money anyway, however I know you and many or even most others won't believe it, but there are people who can get to a point where they decide they have enough money, even without serious illness or going "bonkers". In fact, I don't think Chapelle went bonkers, I think he decided he could comfortably support himself and his family for the rest of his and their lives and didn't want to deal with show biz and people anymore so he made some moves to get away from the bright lights and is probably truly happy now.

[RyZ]

This has nothing to do with him being Russian, right?

[sureLoss]

LOL

[Teh_Bandwagoner]

Originally Posted by valo403

Is Kipper planning to suit up in the SM-Liiga next year?

Plus we all saw this coming the day he signed that contract, given how his salary was structured.

5 years to prepare. No cap implication. No salary implications. No impact on how we traded or drafted. And we got to see what is likely the greatest goaltender to ever suit up for our team retire as a Flame.

Other than that, EXACT same situation.

[you got PHANUEFED]

NJD now have some spending money go nuts Lou.

[driveway]

Originally Posted by Teh_Bandwagoner

Plus we all saw this coming the day he signed that contract, given how his salary was structured.

5 years to prepare. No cap implication. No salary implications. No impact on how we traded or drafted. And we got to see what is likely the greatest goaltender to ever suit up for our team retire as a Flame.

Other than that, EXACT same situation.

The Devils made the finals after signing Kovalchuk to that deal, we didn't make it out of the first round after signing Kipper to his, that's another difference.

I would trade five consecutive first-round picks for a guaranteed spot in the Stanley Cup finals and I wouldn't even blink.

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Krack Korn

I think you're right that he's going to play in Russia and therefore get his money anyway, however I know you and many or even most others won't believe it, but there are people who can get to a point where they decide they have enough money, even without serious illness or going "bonkers". In fact, I don't think Chapelle went bonkers, I think he decided he could comfortably support himself and his family for the rest of his and their lives and didn't want to deal with show biz and people anymore so he made some moves to get away from the bright lights and is probably truly happy now.

How about we make this an experiment, you give me 20 million dollars and we see how I react. For science!

[GGG]

I am always amazed that any of these guys sign a 2nd big contract. After banking 20 million I would head to the beach and retire at 30. And I like my job but I like my time more.

[megatron]

Haven't gone through the thread, but leaving that much money on the table, he must have a good thing lined up in the KHL afterward.

I remember watching him on CSKA during the lockout with Radulov and it looked like he really enjoyed playing back home.

[puckluck2]

Originally Posted by you got PHANUEFED

NJD now have some spending money go nuts Lou.

He was going nuts either way.

[Nsd1]

This is something I thought Kipper would do around the start of the teams decline. Thought he would head home for the offseason and then we would never see him again.

[Jacks]

Roenick is supposed to be coming up on the FAN shortly. This aught to be a good listen.

[WilderPegasus]

Originally Posted by Jacks

Roenick is supposed to be coming up on the FAN shortly. This aught to be a good listen.

Sounds like Roenick is going full drama queen so that he gets some attention. I'm more curious if he replies to Allen Walsh on the twitter.

[albertGQ]

Originally Posted by GGG

I am always amazed that any of these guys sign a 2nd big contract. After banking 20 million I would head to the beach and retire at 30. And I like my job but I like my time more.

Lots of people play hockey for fun. And even pay a small fortune to do so.

I don't know what you do for a living but I doubt anyone would do it for free let alone pay to do it

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by GGG

I am always amazed that any of these guys sign a 2nd big contract. After banking 20 million I would head to the beach and retire at 30. And I like my job but I like my time more.

What if you could bank 40 million and retire at 35?

[SHOGUN]

I feel like he's going to regret this... 77 million ain't small money.

[albertGQ]

Originally Posted by SHOGUN

I feel like he's going to regret this... 77 million ain't small money.

Are you not following the thread? He'll make more than that playing in the KHL

[Hockey_Ninja]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

What if you could bank 40 million and retire at 35?

The younger the better i guess.