After watching yet another proposal to sign free agent Ilya Kovalchuk get stamped with rejection on Wednesday, the New Jersey Devils went back to work drawing up a new deal for the NHL on Friday. The Devils are hoping that the third time will be the charm to sign the all-star left winger.
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly has confirmed that the league has received the new proposal, and has five days to look it over before announcing their latest decision. According to Yahoo Sports sources, it is likely the NHL will approve of the latest contract.
The exact terms of the contract have not been revealed, but has been reported that the Devils have reworked the agreement so that it addresses "previously rejected concepts."
The quick turnaround by the Devils is a result of a reported warning laid out by Kovalchuk's Russian agent, who said Kovalchuk would return to Russia to play in the KHL if they could not rework a deal.
Kovalchuk combined for 27 points in 27 games for the Devils after signing with the team in February. He scored 41 goals and tallied 44 assists throughout the entire 2009-2010 season.
