NHLPA supports Kovalchuk

"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.

It appears the deal ran afoul of the league because the Devils front-loaded it so Kovalchuk could have earned as much money as possible while providing the lowest possible cap hit for the team.

Under the grievance procedure, Kovalchuk will either have his contract with New Jersey upheld or he will again become an unrestricted free agent.

Kovalchuk scored 41 goals and 44 assists in 76 games split between Atlanta and New Jersey last season.

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