Kovalchuck signs (contract details listed) and Gagne traded

A couple of events happened today, a big trade and a huge signing regarding the two biggest fish on the market. Kovalchuck finally signed on the dotted lines making his return to the Devils. Kovalchuck's contract is detailed to be 6 million for the first 2 years, then 5 years at 11.5, 10.5, 8.5, 6.5, 3.5, and finally 750, 550, 550, 550, 550, 550 (source: Star Tribute). An average of 6 million. Next was Simon Gagne being shipped to the Tampa Bay lightning, in return the Flyers received Matt Walker and a 4th round pick for the 2011 draft.
                                                                                   
Let's take a closer look at the Kovalchuck signing. Here we have a
27 year old signed for 17 years, that takes Kovalchuck to age 44. Kovalchuck is a pure sniper and unfortunately the hands are usually the first thing that goes with aging players. The plus side is that Lou Lamorello and the Devils have themselves an elite player entering his prime with a manageable cap hit. I would assume Kovalchuck will be a very good player until 32, decent until 35 and retire at 39. The negative aspect of the signing is the Devils will also have him in his last 7 years -- assuming he retires at 39 -- at a 6 million dollar cap hit for a middle to lower end player.

These types of deals are a complete joke and a slap in the face in the salary cap world. It's Another way to circumvent the cap, sign these guys to a long term contract just for it to come off the books when the player retires. This will need to be analyzed in the next CBA agreement, if teams continue to do this we're going to see major problems 10 years down the road with a bunch of aging veterans eating up big chunks of the teams salary.

As for Simon Gagne; a good trade for Steve Yzerman. Gagne is a player who hasn't bounced around the league and would indicate he is willing to stay long term with one team. He's 32 and entering his last year of his contract. He will receive 5.25 million this year and likely won't see those kinds of numbers in his next deal. If he stays healthy he will be a great addition, he was brilliant in the playoffs. If Yzerman can extend Gagne's contract for decent dollars, it's a steal of a trade.

What does this mean for the Oilers?

With the two biggest speculated deals now out of the way I would assume the flood gates will now open and we will see the trades and UFA signings emerge. Hopefully teams that were in on Kovalchuck and Gagne will have a new agenda with their dollars. Will Souray be moved? One should hope so but don't expect much in a return. In my opinion Simon Gagne held more value then a Sheldon Souray. Gagne is a 5.25 million cap hit for one more year, Souray a 5.4 million cap hit for 2 more years. Gagne is 30, Souray 34. The similarities in the two players are their injury concerns. The fact Gagne only fetched a 5th or 6th defence-man and a 4th round draft pick is a very good indication that the Oilers will not be getting much in return - if anything at all.



           (BTW, This is what Kovalchuck's 100 million dollars looks like...)