TORONTO — Ilya Kovalchuk’s future is finally becoming clear.
A source tells The Canadian Press that the NHL and NHL Players’ Association have reached a verbal agreement that will allow the Russian winger to join the New Jersey Devils.
Both sides still need to sign off on the deal before today’s 5 p.m. ET deadline.
The exact terms of the NHL-NHLPA agreement weren’t immediately available.
The source confirmed that it would allow for Kovalchuk’s US$100-million, 15-year contract with the Devils to be approved.
The deal follows an earlier $102-million, 17-year contract that was rejected by the league because it was ruled to circumvent the salary cap.