08/09/2010

Contact: Mike Levine
Jeff Altstadter

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 2010
STATEMENT FROM NEW JERSEY DEVILS
PRESIDENT/CEO/GENERAL MANAGER LOU LAMORIELLO

Newark, NJ - New Jersey Devils President/CEO/General Manager Lou Lamoriello today issued the following statement in response to Arbitrator Richard Bloch's decision in regard to the team's contract with Ilya Kovalchuk:

We have reviewed and respect Arbitrator Bloch's ruling in the Kovalchuk matter. We also note and appreciate his finding that nothing in his opinion should be read as suggesting that either the club or Ilya Kovalchuk operated in bad faith or on the basis of any assumption other than that the Standard Player Contract was fully compliant with the CBA. That has been our consistent position throughout.

While we do not currently have a contract with Ilya Kovalchuk, discussions have resumed and we are hopeful that a contract will be reached that meets with the
principles in Arbitrator Bloch's award and the NHL's approval.

-devils