NHL voids Blue Jackets' contract with Mikhail Grigorenko
The Columbus Blue Jackets have hit a hurdle in signing former NHLer and KHL star Mikhail Grigorenko. The NHL has rejected the signing because it doesn't conform to rules set out in the league's collective bargaining agreement with players.
According to Aaron Portzline of The Athletic, both parties are free to sign the exact same contract again on July 1st, which is what the team has stated will happen.
TVA Sports' Renaud Lavoie stated the contract specifically violated section 50.8(d) of the CBA.
Grigorenko, 25, is a former first-round pick, being selected by the Buffalo Sabres with the 12th pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Unfortunately, he was never able to get comfortable in the NHL with neither the Buffalo Sabres nor the Colorado Avalanche. In 217 career NHL games to date, he has put up just 64 points, including a career high 27 set with the Avalanche during the 2015-16 season.
The contract with the Blue Jackets is worth $1.2 million for one year. There are reports Grigorenko left as much as twice that money on the table to remain in the KHL. Grigorenko had 19 goals and 22 assists in 47 games with CSKA Moscow this season.
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