New York Post columnist Larry Brooks is saying that the league requires the following changes to the CBA to accept Ilya Kovalchuk's contract with New Jersey:

1. That the cap hit on future multiyear contracts will not count any season that ends with the player over 40 years of age. The cap hit would be based on the average salary of the seasons in the contract up to age 40.

2. That the cap hit on future contracts longer than five years would be calculated by granting additional weight -- perhaps the average -- to the five consecutive years with the largest average salary.

The league has given the union until 5 p.m. Eastern time tomorrow to accept the "proposal," though the sides could agree to extend the deadline if the parties are willing to engage in a negotiation, never a sure thing given commissioner Gary Bettman's position of strength in dealing with a chaotic union situation that does not seem to have improved even upon the news first reported last week by Sports Business Journal that former baseball union chief Donald Fehr has signaled his willingness to become the NHLPA's next executive director.

The NHL has informed the union that if it does not accept this ultimatum prior to the end of the CBA, then the league will take the following actions:

1. It will reject the Kovalchuk contract. The Post has learned that the final two years of the deal are for $3 million and $4 million, respectively. The final five years of the 15-year deal account for $10 million.

2 It will de-register Roberto Luongo's contract under which the goaltender will earn $3.618 million over the final three years of his deal. The goaltender is carrying a $5.333 million cap hit.

3. It will move to open a formal investigation of Marian Hossa's contract under which the winger will earn $4 million over the final four years of his contract. Hossa is carrying a cap hit of $5.275 million per.

Apparently Chris Pronger's deal with Bettman friend and Flyers owner Ed Snider is now officially approved, while it is still unclear what the league thinks of Marc Savard's deal. At this point, though, the Bruins probably wouldn't mind if it was voided.

Posted on September 2nd, 2010 by Chris - Comments

The Los Angeles Kings have agreed to terms with unrestricted free agent defenceman Willie Mitchell on a two-year contract worth $3.5 million per season.

Mitchell's 2009-10 season was derailed by a concussion, limiting him to 48 games where he posted four goals and 12 points.

The former eighth-round pick of the New Jersey Devils in 1996, the 33-year-old has compiled 19 goals, 119 points and 621 penalty minutes in 586 NHL games with the Devils, Wild, Stars and Canucks.

Mitchell was a fan favourite and is from BC but apparently the Canucks were not willing or able to match the Kings' dollar amount.

Posted on August 25th, 2010 by Chris - Comments

Rugged free agent forward Raffi Torres has signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Vancouver Canucks.

Torres spent the 2009-10 season with the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Buffalo Sabres, registering 19 goals and 17 assists in 74 games.

The 28-year-old Toronto native was originally selected by the New York Islanders fifth overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.

Since making his NHL debut in 2001-02, Torres has played for the Islanders, Oilers, Blue Jackets and Sabres.

Posted on August 25th, 2010 by Chris - Comments

The Vancouver Canucks have signed forward Bill Sweatt, the club announced on Friday.

In keeping with club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Sweatt, 21, led Colorado College in scoring in 2009-10, registering 33 points (15-18-33) in 39 games.

The 6'0” Elburn, Illinois native won a bronze medal with Team USA at the 2007 World Junior Championships. He was awarded Top Forward at the IIHF U-18 World Championships in 2006, where he captured gold with Team USA.

Posted on August 20th, 2010 by Chris - Comments