NHL

The NHL rejected Kovalchuk's heavily frontloaded 17-year/$102 contract with the New Jersey Devils on the grounds that it circumvented the salary cap. The NHLPA filed a grievance on Kovalchuk's behalf to reverse the NHL's decision. The NHL and NHLPA must now hire a "system" arbitrator to hear the case before it can move forward. However, Vanderbeek doesn't expect the process to drag on. "From what I understand, the union and the league are moving forward to choose an arbitrator," Vanderbeek said. "I think (NHL deputy commissioner) Bill Daly said they want to see this done on an expedited basis. The union wants to see it done quickly. I see no reason why that won't be done."