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Burke should stay away from kovalchulk. Not cause he is a bad player or too expencive but because of the 10-11 year contract he seeks..... hey if he was willing on taking a 3 year deal, id give him 10-11 million per

There should be a MAX-Year on contracts...... like the NBA which has like a 6 year limit I think. Finish these 8-9 year contracts

most of them r sly and suspicious anyway. Teams try to be smart and make these life time contracts in a way that beneifits them, like front load them for example.

NBA has max 6 years with a max salary possible AND a rule on how much the salary will change over the years.

David Stern isnt very popular, but Bettman can learn a few things from him

I know 10-11 years is not a lifetime but Kovalchulk would be in his mid 30s by the end of the deal. basically he'd retire from the NHL and play in the KHL by that time....... he might even retire in the final years of his contract assuming it is MONSTEROUSLY front loaded. y would he play for 2-3 million when he can fetch another monster deal in KHL in his mid 30s

Eliminate these LONG deals for good.... i say 6 years MAX, with a controlled salary

I'm a Red Wings fan, but I also support the Leafs, so I figured I might post around here a bit. I think Kovalchuk would be a great pickup for the Leafs, as I think we could use some more offensive firepower on this team. However, I agree with your idea about signing him to a 10+ year contract as being a bit crazy. They work for teams if they can lock up a young talented prospect for the long-term, before they get better and demand a bigger contract. However, you're right about contracts of that length being dangerous for teams. If you sign a guy to a 10 year deal, you are leaving yourself open to all sorts of potential problems. What happens if the player gets seriously injured in the first year of the contract? You're then stuck paying a guy who will be a less effective player, or maybe not able to play at all, for another decade. You also run the risk of the player retiring from the NHL part way throught the contract to go to Europe and play for more money. So basically, I would really love to see my Leafs get Kovalchuk, but I wouldn't sign him for 10 years.

The Kings apparently offered 13 years at a rate of $6.5M per year and that wasn't enough, although Kovy seems like he's still interested in going to LA. Burke mentioned before he doesn't even know who Kovalchuk's agent is, so there really is no interest on the Leafs part.

For what it's worth...

howieberger KOVALCHUK TO TORONTO! KOVALCHUK TO TORONTO!
10 minutes ago via web

followed by

howieberger Kovalchuk seen in Toronto last night, wearing a Leafs toque, apparently shopping for houses.
3 minutes ago via web

James_Raptors wrote:For what it's worth...

howieberger KOVALCHUK TO TORONTO! KOVALCHUK TO TORONTO!
10 minutes ago via web

followed by

howieberger Kovalchuk seen in Toronto last night, wearing a Leafs toque, apparently shopping for houses.
3 minutes ago via web

pics or it didn't happen

number15 wrote:
David Stern isnt very popular, but Bettman can learn a few things from him

I don't think Bettman is popular at all. Alot of people still hate the way he runs things with some the struggling US markets. But, I don't it the nhl's fault this one. Owners decided to give these player's those type of contract. Which are huge risk, just look at dipietro. With more lifetime contract bust, owners will be more careful. I still say, let the lifetime option be available. For guys like sakic, yzerman who prob retire with the team.