Bloch also noted that several other long-term contracts are under investigation for circumvention, listing deals given to Vancouver Canucks netminder Roberto Luongo, Boston Bruins centre Marc Savard, Philadelphia Flyers defenceman Chris Pronger and Chicago Blackhawks winger Marian Hossa as raising similar red flags to Kovalchuk’s rejected contract.

"While the contracts have in fact been registered, their structure has not escaped league notice," the decision reads. "Those players’ contracts are being investigated currently with at least the possibility of a subsequent withdrawal of the registration."