Quote of the Day
"When someone tells you that they're happy with the deal, we should just extend it without changing a thing, that's a code for saying it's a pretty one-sided deal."
-- NFL Exec VP & General Counsel Jeff Pash, referring to NFLPA Exec Dir DeMaurice Smith's comments on the current CBA ("Mike & Mike in the Morning," ESPN Radio, 7/22).
Top Stories
Devils, Kovalchuk Rebuffed On 17-Year Deal The Devils' staggering 17-year deal with Ilya Kovalchuk continues to make waves in the NHL, and the latest reports indicate Devils President, CEO & GM Lou Lamoriello was aware of the league's plan to reject the deal prior to holding a Tuesday news conference. If true, the most obvious question is why the Devils would go ahead with the news conference, a move that was "disingenuous to fans" who bought season tickets based on the signing. A bigger mystery, though, is why the NHL is choosing now to crack down on the trend of long-term, front-loaded contracts. The problem with the NHL CBA is that there is "zero clarity" on issues like this. One thing to watch: The league's rejection of the deal perhaps is the "opening salvo in a new war" with the union.
