TORONTO, July 26 (UPI) -- The NHL Players' Association Monday filed a grievance on behalf of Russian star Ilya Kovalchuk after the league rejected his $102 million deal with New Jersey.
"Under the terms of the CBA (collective bargaining agreement), the NHLPA and Mr. Kovalchuk are entitled to an expedited resolution of this matter," the NHLPA said in a statement. "The NHLPA will have no further comment until this matter has been resolved by an arbitrator".
The (Newark) Star-Ledger reported the league turned down the 17-year contract last week, contending it circumvented the NHL's salary cap.
The 27-year-old left winger was to earn $6 million in each of the next two seasons, $11.5 million a year from 2012-17 and $10.5 million the following year. His salary would then be scaled back after that until he made $550,000 annually in the final five years.
By the time the contract expires in 2027 he would be 44.
UPI
