In a reversal, the NHL awarded the Devils a first round pick for this year’s draft. They also have reduced the $3 million fine to $1.5 million for the Ilya Kovalchuk signing in 2010. The stiff penalty was handed down for cap circumvention.

Having forfeited a third round pick in 2011, the Devils were also expected to lose a first round pick in one of the next four drafts. Instead, Lou Lamoriello held out until this year hoping for a different ruling. After the club applied for reconsideration, they won.

When the original ruling happened, it was controversial because the league never penalized any other team for similar contracts that violated the CBA. Now, this stunning about face is equally as controversial with many league executives protesting. Here are a couple of interesting tweets from TSN insider Darren Dreger on the matter.

Whatever the reason, the Devils now will pick 30th in the first round of this year’s draft. There hasn’t been any explanation which probably is adding fuel to the fire. Personally, I don’t have an issue with it. It seemed like classic overreaction at the time after the Devils and Kovalchuk reworked the contract. I’m sure Hasan will have more reaction later. So much for the notion the league was out to get the Devils.