It took you long enough!

Finally,after rejections,delays,arbitrators and dealing with the NHL,Ilya Kovalchuk is a New Jersey Devil.
The NHL approved the latest contract between Kovalchuk and the team for 100 million and 15 years after the leagues and the players union were able to add an amendment to the collecting bargaining agreement that the league wanted to close a loophole.
Now,I can go back to thinking about the Devils roster moves and not about contract issues.

Kovalchuk gives the Devils what the team has never truly had in their existence,an elite,top of the line goal scorer and should have him for the remainder of his career.
I have written that I believe that some of his struggles after joining the team would go away with a full training camp and now with retaining the Russian sniper,I will have the chance to be right.

With this taken care and training camp a little over two weeks away,the Devils have to work on their next issue-clearing between four and six million to get under the cap.
The most likely players to leave are rumored to be Bryce Salvador ( I would miss Salvador,but he has the most appealing contract to other teams) and Dainius Zubrus (who looked to be figuring things out near the end of last season).
Brian Rolston would be one move that would take care of the issue in one swoop,but I don't see any team taking that contract unless the Devils added a prospect of substance and I don't see Lou Lamioriello doing that.

Another issue that will become part of Devils fans thoughts over the next year will be the contract issues of Zach Parise.
Parise will become a free agent at the end of the season,although he will be restricted.
Can the Devils afford to keep their most exciting home grown offensive talent in their history?
Will Parise give the Devils the "hometown discount" that so many have given?
If Parise stays,who will go in order to keep him?
All valid questions to talk about on another day,but for now-I'll celebrate Kovalchuk's staying and congratulate the team for keeping a player that most thought was simply a rental for last season.
Never underestimate Lou Lamoriello.

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