Report: New Jersey Devils elect not to forfeit 2012 first-round pick

As part of their 2010 punishment for their initial contract offer to winger Ilya Kovalchuk, which the NHL ruled was an attempt to circumvent the salary cap, the New Jersey Devils were docked a first-round pick. Only the league allowed the Devils to decide which year (from 2011-2014) to give up that pick, with notification due the day after the Stanley Cup Final ends.

Tom Gulitti of the Bergen Record reports that the Devils appear likely to hold on to their first-rounder, 29th overall, in the June 22 draft.

It appears at this point that the Devils have decided to hold on to their 2012 first-round pick. Still waiting for official word.—
Tom Gulitti (@TGfireandice) June 13, 2012

Katie Strang of ESPNNewYork.com draws the same inference:

#NJD NHL Via email, deputy commissioner Bill Daly said Devils haven't notified league re: pick, which indicates they chose not to give it up—
Katie Strang (@KatieStrangESPN) June 13, 2012

This means the Devils have one more chance (in 2013) to voluntarily give up the pick, before the rent comes due in 2014.