Well it seems like Mr. Kovalchuk will be returning to the Thrasher's line up soon. But will that big wad of money in his pocket hinder his play? And the big question I pose is Ilya Kovalchuck really worth that much? If you are wondering what I am talking about here is the link to the article of his new contract and if you are too lazy to click the link then this is the summary of his contract: Kovalchuck has worked out a 5 year contract worth $32 million, paying him an average of $6.4 million per year. Now the deal he worked out with the brass is that in his first season he will make $6.5 mill, $5 million in 06-07, $5.5 mill in 07-08 and $7.5 mill each for his last two years as a Thrasher. Now when this salary cap came into play for the "new" NHL, I thought owners would never end up over paying players again. I thought this new economic system wouldn't give the players that much leverage against the owners. However after the signing of Datsyuk in Detroit and now this extravagant deal I realize that owners are still not thinking things through and learning from the past. I'll let the Detroit signing of Datsyuk slip as it was only a 1 year contract. But in Kovalchuk's case the deal is a long term contract at a hefty price. Sure his numbers are good and have been improving with the years but the pay he is receiving (in my opinion) is reserved for the players who can, and have taken their team deep into the playoffs and had a try at the cup. But Kovalchuk hasn't even done that yet! Imagine his demand if he takes the team into the first round of playoffs? Have the owners not learn from their mistakes they made in the last decade or so? Do they not remember over paying players who would not produce (Jagr....or the New York Rangers of past)? Do they not remember players who don't play because they want more and don't really deserve it (Comrie, Yashin)? Thank goodness there is a salary cap, because I don't even want to imagine what Kovalchuk might have managed to squeeze out of Thrasher's brass.
Alex.
