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Entries with the tag: Ilya+Kovalchuk
Devils Resume Talks With Kovalchuk
by Paul on 08/09/10 at 07:09 PM ET
Comments (4)
via Devils.com,
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.”
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Report- Arbitrator Rules In NHL Favor In Kovalachuk Case
by Paul on 08/09/10 at 05:14 PM ET
Comments (54)
via Liz Mullen tweet,
Breaking—Arbitrator rules in League’s favor in Kovalchuk case, source says
added 5:22pm, via Nick Kypreos tweet,
Kovalchuk remains UFA. Confirmed by sources.
added 5:37pm, from Dan Rosen of NHL.com,
(Bill) Daly released the following statement with regard to the decision by Bloch that the League properly rejected the contract agreed to by the New Jersey Devils and Ilya Kovalchuk:
“We want to thank Arbitrator Bloch for his prompt resolution of a complex issue. His ruling is consistent with the League’s view of the manner in which the Collective Bargaining Agreement should deal with contracts that circumvent the Salary Cap.”
added 6:59pm, from Tom Gulitti of Fire & Ice,
The NHL Players’ Association also released a statement through spokesperson, Jonathan Weatherdon.
“The NHLPA is disappointed with the Arbitrator’s ruling to uphold the NHL’s rejection of the contract between the New Jersey Devils and Ilya Kovalchuk,” the statement read. “The NHLPA is currently reviewing the decision and will have no further comment at this time.
added 7:06pm, from Damien Cox of The Spin,
The Kovalchuk decision, meanwhile, addresses a growing sentiment among teams that the front-loaded, long-term deals were becoming a competitive advantage to a handful of teams since two-thirds of the league’s clubs couldn’t dream of signing such contracts.
Some GMs said the NHL needed to put it’s foot down when Kiprusoff became the first to sign this type of contract back in 2007.
“I wish the NHL had started this five years ago,” lamented one GM.The NHL says it is still investigating the contracts signed by Hossa and Pronger.
Filed in: NHL Teams, New Jersey Devils, NHL Talk, NHLPA | KK Hockey | Permalink
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Kovalchuk Ordeal Could Be Over Today
by Paul on 08/09/10 at 08:11 AM ET
Comments (0)
from Tom Gulitti of Fire & Ice,
Will the Ilya Kovalchuk saga finally come to an end today or will it move on to yet another stage?
The answer to that question is in the hands of system arbitrator Richard Bloch, who is due to issue his decision on Kovlachuk’s rejected contract by the end of business today.
The Devils signed Kovlachuk to a 17-year, $102 million contract three weeks ago, but the NHL rejected it the next day, contending that it circumvents the salary cap and the collective bargaining agreement, That started a process in which the NHL Players’ Association filed a grievance on Kovlachuk’s behalf two weeks ago and the sides squared off in a hearing last Wednesday and Thursday in Boston.
All that is left is for Bloch to rule whether the NHL was justified in rejecting the contract.
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Now We Wait
by Paul on 08/05/10 at 03:01 PM ET
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from Dan Rosen of NHL.com,
The arbitration hearing that will determine the immediate and potential long-term future of star left wing Ilya Kovalchuk has wrapped up in Boston and now the hockey world, specifically Kovalchuk, the New Jersey Devils and the NHL, wait for arbitrator Richard Bloch to render a decision on the matter.
Bloch has until the end of business Monday to rule on whether the NHL was justified in rejecting the 17-year, $102 million contract Kovalchuk signed with the Devils last month. NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly stated at the time the NHL rejected the contract that it was doing so because the deal circumvents the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
added 3:20pm, via Tom Gulitti tweet,
I’m told don’t expect the Kovalchuk ruling before Monday.
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Kovalchuk Arbitration Hearing Begins Today
by Paul on 08/04/10 at 08:46 AM ET
Comments (2)
from Mark Everson of the NY Post,
If, as expected, arbitrator Richard Bloch rules in favor of Kovalchuk, perhaps as late as Monday, his contract will be immediately validated. But then the Devils will have to find a way to shed some $5-6 million in salary-cap liability by season’s start to get under the $59.4 million lid and still have wiggle room for injuries.
Vital players would have to go, perhaps among Bryce Salvador, Colin White and Dainius Zubrus, either by trade or waiver/demotion.
Most important, such a verdict would validate heavily front-loaded contracts that the NHL claim circumvent the CBA, and become a major NHL demand for the next pact.
Should Bloch back the NHL and find that the contract is indeed an end-run around the CBA, Kovalchuk would again become an unrestricted free agent, and teams like the Kings and Rangers, as well as the Devils, would again be able to bid for his services in a more straight-forward salary arrangement.
Although it appears unlikely, the NHL then also would have the option of initiating its own punitive action against Kovalchuk and the Devils. A circumvention ruling off a league-filed action could cost the Devils $1.5 million in fines, with a similar amount deducted from their cap limit. Kovalchuk himself could be liable to a fine of $250,000-$1 million.
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Only An Arbitrator Can Stop Bettman
by Paul on 08/01/10 at 06:59 AM ET
Comments (7)
from Larry Brooks of the NY Post,
The NHL’s effort to disallow front-loaded, long- terms deals that are permitted by the collective bargaining agreement through arbitration is an attempt to legislate from the bench.
Commissioner Gary Bettman and the league are using this circumvention case against Ilya Kovalchuk and the Devils to try and gain the right to inflict arbitrary term-limits on contracts through the finding of an arbitrator after failing to gain that power through the 2004-05 collective bargaining process that created the current CBA.
“They absolutely tried to get the right to limit contract length,” one of the NHLPA’s prime negotiators into and throughout the lockout told Slap Shots. “It was another cap they wanted to impose, but we were able to win that one.”...
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Talking Kovalchuk Grievance Hearing
by Paul on 07/30/10 at 02:37 PM ET
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from Tom Gulitti of Fire & Ice,
A source said this afternoon that a system arbitrator has been ageed upon by the NHL and the NHL Players’ Association to rule on the grievance over Ilya Kovalchuk’s rejected, 17-year, $102 million contract.
A hearing has been scheduled, but the source would not reveal the identity of the arbitrator or the date, time and site of the hearing. I will continue to try to find out those all important details.
The sides had to agree upon the site and date/time of the hearing as well and appear intent on keeping it low profile.
The source did say that the objective is for the matter to be settled by the end of next week, though. So, you can probably guess that the hearing will take place early next week—possibly Monday or Tuesday.
Filed in: NHL Teams, New Jersey Devils, NHL Talk, NHLPA | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Ilya+Kovalchuk,
Devils Owner Expects A Quick Decision On Kovalchuk
by Paul on 07/27/10 at 09:40 PM ET
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from Dave Caldwell of the New York Times,
Jeff Vanderbeek, the Devils’ owner, said Tuesday night that he thought an arbitrator would make a prompt decision regarding wing Ilya Kovalchuk’s 17-year, $102 million contract with the team, which the National Hockey League rejected last week.
“I see no reason why that won’t be done,” Vanderbeek said….
In an interview before a function for Devils fans at a beachside restaurant, Vanderbeek said he would not comment about the Kovalchuk matter either to the news media or to about 150 fans who attended the function.
“They’d like to see closure,” he said of Devils fans.
But the Devils benefited from last week’s news conference at Prudential Center in Newark when the announced that Kovalchuk, an unrestricted free agent, had re-signed. Vanderbeek said there had been a spike in season-ticket sales since then.
a bit more...
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NHLPA Files Grievance Regarding Kovalchuk Contract
by Paul on 07/26/10 at 01:31 PM ET
Comments (3)
via the NHLPA,
“The NHLPA has filed a grievance disputing the NHL’s rejection of the Standard Player Contract between the New Jersey Devils and Ilya Kovalchuk. Under the terms of the CBA, the NHLPA and Mr. Kovalchuk are entitled to an expedited resolution of this matter. The NHLPA will have no further comment until this matter has been resolved by an Arbitrator.”
added 3:23pm, from Tom Gulitti of Fire & Ice,
The NHL quickly responded with a statement from Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly.
“We have received formal notice that the NHLPA is grieving the league’s rejection of Ilya Kovalchuk’s contract with the New Jersey Devils,” Daly said in the statement. “Although there is no defined timetable at this point, we intend to work with the players’ association to ensure an expeditious resolution of this dispute. The league looks forward to the opportunity to establish its position before the arbitrator. We will have no further public comment pending completion of the process.”
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Kovalchuk Grievance Expected By 5:00pm Today
by Paul on 07/26/10 at 08:26 AM ET
Comments (2)
from Tom Gulitti of Fire & Ice,
The NHL Players’ Association has until 5 p.m. Monday to file a grievance on behalf of Ilya Kovalchuk for the NHL rejecting his 17-year, $102 million contract with the Devils for salary cap circumvention.
All indications are that the NHLPA will file the grievance before Monday’s deadline after its lawyers conducted a thorough study of the facts, including interviewing all the parties involved in the contract negotiations. The delay the last two days was likely due to the union waiting through the weekend before officially filing the paperwork.
After the grievance is filed, the NHL and the NHLPA must hire a “system” arbitrator to rule on the case. Both sides must agree on the arbitrator. I was among those who speculated that the process could take weeks, but the NHLPA will want to expedite the search so that Kovalchuk will not be in limbo too much longer as far as where he will play in 2010-11. So, if the NHL drags its feet, it will be quite obvious.
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The Gauntlet Has Been Thrown Down
by Paul on 07/25/10 at 08:41 AM ET
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from Larry Brooks of the NY Post,
First, know this about Gary Bettman and his capricious prosecution of circumvention against the Devils and Ilya Kovalchuk—it’s personal with the commissioner, the way it was personal when he and the Board of Governors canceled a season in order to get rid of Bob Goodenow.
It’s personal because Bettman had been telling NHL general managers for months to stop signing players to dramatically front-loaded lifetime contracts designed to massage the cap hit before New Jersey’s Lou Lamoriello, of all teams and of all people, simply defied the commissioner.
Bettman’s ill-advised quest to impose a one-size-fits-all cap onto 30 teams with varying needs and constituencies is in tatters. The Kovalchuk contract, which meets every legal standard outlined in the collective bargaining agreement, is merely the latest example of a powerful team acting creatively in order to keep as much of its personnel intact as possible.
added 9:14am, from Mark Everson of the NY Post,
The Devils might have five million reasons to worry about the Players Association’s expected filing for arbitration of Ilya Kovalchuk’s rejected contract.
A league source said the NHL is not threatening, but also not dismissing the possibility that the Devils might be liable for a fine of at least $1 million. The fine could go up to $5 million should an arbitrator finds that their $102 million, 17-year contract is indeed a circumvention of the collective bargaining agreement.
In addition, Kovalchuk himself conceivably could be liable to a fine between $250G and $1 million.
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Nothing Wrong With Kovalchuk’s Contract
by Paul on 07/24/10 at 10:21 AM ET
Comments (6)
from Michael Traikos of the National Post,
Regardless of whether you thought he was genuine or not, Kovalchuk was ready to play in New Jersey for the next 17 years and retire as a member of the Devils.
Is that so bad? Would you rather he become like LeBron James and hop from one team to the next in search of championships? Or would you rather have a player whose likeness does not have to be peeled off billboards every five years?
“This is a marketer’s dream,” one agent said. “Remember, Kovalchuk’s in a market where there is a huge Russian population and he’s now the 100-million-dollar man. When Alex Ovechkin comes to play, it could be, ‘Come see the dueling hundred-million-dollar men, Washington versus New Jersey, at the Prudential Center.’ I just think it’s fun.”
But is it fun for everyone? Do these types of deals, which have been negotiated by New Jersey, Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit and Vancouver — give an unfair advantage to teams with deeper pockets? Does it go against the competitive balance that the CBA strived for?
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How To Fix The Kovalchuk Contract
by Paul on 07/22/10 at 08:37 AM ET
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from Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail,
On a practical level, the fix here is relatively simple for the Devils and Kovalchuk, provided both sides were prepared to give a little. They could simply lop off the final two years of the contract, meaning it would expire when Kovalchuk turns 42, the same age Hossa will be when his deal runs out. If they up the salary in the final three years to $1-million, then that too would make it mirror Hossa’s previously approved deal far more closely.
Under this scenario, the Devils’ annual salary-cap charge for Kovalchuk’s contract would rise by almost three-quarters of a million dollars – not an ideal outcome, but one that they might be able to live with.
The alternatives are less appealing. Kovalchuk could dig in his heels, or the Devils might determine they cannot afford to incur a single dollar more than the current $6-million cap charge. An expedited arbitration hearing would then be the preferable next step for Kovalchuk, if such a thing is even possible, given the complexities involved in the CBA-mandated arbitration process.
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I’m Still Here
by Paul on 07/21/10 at 12:51 PM ET
Comments (3)
I justed wanted to let you know I am around, but it has been all Kovalchuk news this morning and I do believe most of you have had enough of what is going on with him.
I will be selective when posting any news regarding him and hopefully we get some other hockey topics to talk about in the near future.
Stay tuned…
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The Official Word On Kovalchuk Contract
by Paul on 07/21/10 at 07:32 AM ET
Comments (1)
via NHL.com,
National Hockey League Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly today issued the following statement regarding the free agent contract forward Ilya Kovalchuk signed with the New Jersey Devils:
“The contract has been rejected by the League as a circumvention of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Under the CBA, the contract rejection triggers a number of possible next steps that may be elected by any or each of the NHLPA, the Player and/or the Club. In the interim, the player is not entitled to play under the contract, nor is he entitled to any of the rights and benefits that are provided for thereunder. The League will have no further comment on this matter pending further developments.”
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The Line In The Sand Has Been Drawn
by Paul on 07/20/10 at 11:07 PM ET
Comments (11)
from Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail,
At some point, the NHL decided to draw a line in the sand and it just happened to be this time, right now. It doesn’t mean the Devils and Kovalchuk’s happy marriage cannot go forward. It just means it cannot go forward as the contract is currently structured.
much more...
added 11:16pm, from John MacKinon of Sweatsox at the Edmonton Journal,
There’s also no denying this has the potential to get messy, especially with the NHL Players’ Association sniffing around former MLB union head Donald Fehr, he of the head-in-sand approach to performance-enhancing drugs.
A child of five can see that a 27-year-old man signing a 17-year contract will have long since retired by the time that deal hits its expiry date. Which is as good a reason as any for NHL commissioner Gary Bettman to declare the deal null and void, meaning Kovalchuk remains a free agent and the next deal he signs will have to have at least a toehold on reality.
added 11:29pm, via Rich Hammond of LA Kings Insider,
Dean Lombardi said tonight that the Kings would remain interested in signing Kovalchuk should the opportunity present itself, but it’s likely that the union will get involved and seek to uphold the deal. The real question is, how long will this whole process take?
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Report- League Rejects Kovalchuk Contract
by Paul on 07/20/10 at 09:31 PM ET
Comments (19)
via Nick Kypreos tweet,
Word I’m hearing is the league has rejected Kovalchuk 17 year NJ contract… Stay tuned….
added 9:34pm, via Ryan Rishaug tweet,
Acc to gord miller. Kovalchuks contract rejected by nhl for cap circumvention
added 9:40pm, Tom Gulittie tweets,
Devils owner Jeff Vanderbeek says he had not heard anything about contract being rejected.
GM Lou Lamoriello declined comment.
added 9:41pm, Another Kypreos tweet,
NHL deems Kovy contract “a retirement contract”. Says it “artificially drops cap hit”. Also states its too overloaded the first 10 yrs
added 9:42pm, Gulitti with another tweet,
I can confirm, via a source, that Kovalchuk contract has been rejected
added 9:57pm, John Shannon tweets,
contract is viewed as a circumvention of the CBA…contract would have to be restructured and re-filed.
added 10:03pm, via TSN,
The NHL has rejected Ilya Kovalchuk’s 17-year, $102 million contract with the New Jersey Devils on the grounds that it circumvents the NHL’s salary cap.
Kovalchuk was slated to earn $95 million over the first 10 years of the deal and then just $7 million over the last seven seasons. That would translate to an annual cap hit of $6 million per year.
added 10:29pm, via Darren Dreger tweet,
If the NHLPA grieves the leagues decision, the contract remains dead until an arbitrator decides otherwise.
added 10:46pm, via James Duthie tweet,
Best guess: Devils/Kovy could restructure, but agents I spoke to figure Kovy likes his deal just the way it is, and will ask PA to grieve.
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Not The Real World
by Paul on 07/20/10 at 08:55 PM ET
Comments (4)
from John Branch of the New York Times,
Beyond the security guard at the closed door of the news conference, the midday din of a struggling city could not be heard.
But a block away, over on chaotic Broad Street across from City Hall, about 20 workers picketed and blew whistles. They wore signs, sandwich-board style, that read “Put Newark to Work” and “Living Wages Would Stop Foreclosures in Newark.” The unemployment rate in Newark, New Jersey’s largest city, was estimated at 13.5 percent in May. It was 9.5 percent across the country.
Joe Rizzo, an organizer from the Laborers’ Union, said he had heard something about the Kovalchuk deal. For the Devils, right?
“What gets me a little upset is when you relate it to what’s happening in the real world,” Rizzo said.
The juxtaposition of Kovalchuk’s deal was striking, on the streets and in the headlines. Like the hyper-hyped LeBron James free-agent sweepstakes a couple of weeks earlier, the Kovalchuk announcement felt like an unseemly fantasy diversion amid the rat-a-tat news of unemployment, foreclosures and battered school budgets.
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New Jersey Ownership Behind The Kovalchuk Deal
by Paul on 07/20/10 at 03:23 PM ET
Comments (1)
from Tom Gulitti of Fire & Ice,
While saying the Devils did nothing illegal in signing Ilya Kovalchuk to a 17-year, $102 million contract, general manager Lou Lamoriello admitted that such a deal was bad for the NHL and should be eliminated in the next CBA.
I asked Lamoriello what he would think if someone brought up Kovalchuk’s contract in the next round of CBA negotiations (in two years) and pointed to it as a flaw.
“I might agree,” he said. “But there is nothing that we have done wrong. This is within the rules. This is in the CBA. There are precedents that have been set. But I would agree we shouldn’t have these. But I’m also saying that because it’s legal and this is something that ownership felt comfortable doing for the right reasons.”
It was clear that ownership—headed by Jeff Vanderbeek—was behind this particular contract. Not that Lamoriello didn’t endorse bringing Kovalchuk back.
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Devils/Kovalchuk Press Conference
by Paul on 07/20/10 at 12:56 PM ET
Comments (1)
The embed feature has been disabled, so watch the press conference at NH.com.
It is scheduled to start at 1:00pm ET.
added 1:50pm, from Craig Custance of the Sporting News,
Ilya Kovalchuk met with the media in New Jersey this afternoon for the first time since signing his 17-year contract worth $102 million. He sat alongside managing partner Jeff Vanderbeek, coach John MacLean and team president Lou Lamoriello. Martin Brodeur, Zach Parise and Jamie Langenbrunner were among the teammates who attended. Here are some highlights:
Kovalchuk on why he picked New Jersey: He said he was impressed with the professionalism of the organization and that he learned a lot about winning in his short time. “There is unfinished business,” Kovalchuk said. “That was the biggest reason.”
added 5:08pm, You can watch the press conference below…
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Devils See Something In Kovalchuk
by Paul on 07/20/10 at 06:38 AM ET
Comments (3)
from Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail,
Value is an increasingly difficult thing to assess in today’s NHL, given the latest contract bombshell: The New Jersey Devils signing Ilya Kovalchuk on Monday to a deal reportedly worth $102-million (all figures U.S.) over 17 years – provided he plays until the end of the 2026-27 NHL season as a latter-day Chris Chelios.
Of course, no one believes that scenario will unfold, least of all Kovalchuk himself, who will earn the vast majority of those dollars in the next 10 years after which the contract presumably tapers out in a bunch of years at insignificant money. Assuming the NHL actually signs off on the deal, the Devils’ philosophy here is clear: Collective bargaining agreements will come and go over those next 17 years.
It will be someone else’s problem to navigate the long-term implications of the deal if the NHL ever comes up with a way of punishing teams for so cavalierly ignoring the spirit of the salary cap (even though it looks as if the Devils did nothing illegal under the agreement as it is currently structured).
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Kings Took A Chance On Kovalchuk
by Paul on 07/20/10 at 06:32 AM ET
Comments (0)
from Helene Elliott of the LA Times,
The Kings didn’t know the structure of the Devils’ proposal and were surprised by the spike after the second season. General Manager Dean Lombardi acknowledged that his offer, made last Thursday in his third round of talks with Kovalchuk, wasn’t in the ballpark.
He felt he couldn’t pay Kovalchuk $11.5 million in any season because that would become the starting point when he negotiates a new deal with defenseman Drew Doughty. He wouldn’t be able to afford Kovalchuk, core players and other pieces, which makes some sense.
But when will an elite free agent agree to come here for less? To come here to win, not to use the Kings as leverage to make financial history?
That’s what Kovalchuk wanted from the start: to trump countryman Alexander Ovechkin, who has a 13-year, $124-million contract with Washington. Kovalchuk will earn more than Ovechkin in six seasons, and he must love that.
Nor was the $102-million total a coincidence. Kovalchuk rejected a 12-year, $101-million offer from Atlanta before the Thrashers traded him to the Devils in February and no one thought he’d equal that. He beat it, if barely.
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Kings Avoid Salary Cap Issues
by Paul on 07/19/10 at 03:01 PM ET
Comments (0)
from Ken Campbell of The Hockey News,
One member of the Los Angeles Kings management team wondered how the top executives would be feeling today. No doubt GM Dean Lombardi and his lieutenants are a little on the glum side. After all, they missed out on a player some are describing as the best unrestricted free agent in history.
But the sun will rise again, as it always does in Southern California, even if it sometimes does behind a cloudy haze. And when it does, the Kings will be able to pick themselves up and dust themselves off knowing they stood by their convictions and did all the right things.
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Kovalchuk Staying With The Devils
by Paul on 07/19/10 at 11:47 AM ET
Comments (17)
from a New Jersey Devils tweet,
HE’S BACK: Ilya Kovalchuk signs with the Devils. Press conference scheduled for Tuesday at the Rock.
added 11:55am, via PuckAgency,
PuckAgency is proud to announce that All-Star left wing Ilya Kovalchuk has come to terms to re-sign with the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League. Ilya was the most highly coveted free agent on the market and had several options with teams all over the globe. “Ilya is excited to be continuing his career with New Jersey and knows first-hand the team’s dedication and commitment to winning.” said Jay Grossman, President of PuckAgency.
added 12:22pm, from Phi Coffey of NHL.com,
What hockey fans have seen from the New Jersey Devils in recent weeks points clearly to the fact Lou Lamoriello wasn’t kidding when he indicated people would be surprised by the changes that were coming in New Jersey.
The bitter taste of the first-round loss to the Philadelphia Flyers may not be completely gone for Lamoriello, New Jersey’s longtime president and general manager, but he can surely taste some pretty sweet success thanks to a number of moves that have radically changed New Jersey’s roster and will bring a bigger, more offensive lineup to the fore for 2010-11.
Here is a look at the changes Lamoriello has made since the Devils’ season ended in a five game series loss to the Flyers.
added 12:25pm, Fan590 says RDS reporting 7 years, $60M.
added 12:33pm, I just received an email from RDS, they were citing a previous (old) report, nothing new from them.
added 12:40pm, from Rich Chere of the Star-Ledger,
The best news John MacLean received this summer was getting hired to coach the Devils.
However, the signing of Ilya Kovalchuk today ranks a close second.
“I have a smile on my face,” MacLean told The Star-Ledger.
added 1:16pm, via Helene Elliott a the Fabulous Forum,
Tim Leiweke, the Kings’ governor and chief executive of their parent company, AEG, said via email that Kovalchuk, “had two very good choices. NJ offered more money. Simple as that.
“We threw everything at him we had while leaving the cap space necessary to sign our kids. He is a great player and I am disappointed he didn’t come to LA. It was not for lack of effort or cash.”
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No Kovalchuk Drama Here
by Paul on 07/19/10 at 08:40 AM ET
Comments (1)
from Bill Tiller of Ice Man at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
About the only thing that seems to be certain regarding Ilya’s summer adventure this time is that he’s not going to get the same coin as the Thrashers offered up to him last winter. $10 million for 3 to 7 years or somewhere in the neighborhood of $100 mil for 12 years is now surely out of the question for Kovy.
So just where will Kovalchuk eventual wind up…and when will he wind up there? shrugs…I dunno. But all I can say is that I’m glad happy thrilledecstatic that Thrasherville is not the site of this particular saga.
In fact, I’m sorta looking forward this coming season in which the Thrashers aren’t having to deal with such distractions. You know, distractions such as whether or not superstars like Marian Hossa or Ilya Kovalchuk will re-sign…or if Kari Lehtonen’s back/groin/[insert issue here] will keep him out of the lineup for an extended period of time.
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Maybe One Day The Kovalchuk Deal Will Be Done
by Paul on 07/17/10 at 07:00 AM ET
Comments (4)
from Helene Elliott of the Fabulous Forum,
One source familiar with the discussions said he’s 98% sure it will get done and that Kovalchuk will be a King. But in a process as bizarre as this one has been at every step, and with neither Kovalchuk’s agent nor Kings General Manager Dean Lombardi willing to comment, that 2% is too much wiggle room.
Among the issues they’re believed to be working on: payment for the 2012-13 season, a season that could be lost to a lockout, and whether the deal will include a no-trade or no-movement clause. And if there is a clause that allows him to veto a trade or specify a number of teams he’d agree to join in a trade, the two sides will have to agree on when it would kick in.
The 2012-13 issue is a real concern to players and teams. If there’s no season, players wouldn’t get paid — but any pre-agreed signing bonuses would have to be paid. Teams don’t want to pay anything if there’s no season, but players want bonuses — or, in a worst-case scenario, to lose as little salary as possible.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Los Angeles Kings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Ilya+Kovalchuk,
The Latest On Kovalchuk
by Paul on 07/16/10 at 09:01 AM ET
Comments (6)
via Nick Kypreos tweet,
A big swing in the Ilya/Kings talks. Major stumbling blocks have been rectified. A source now described it to me as “close but not done”
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Tags: Ilya+Kovalchuk,
Afternoon Line
by Paul on 07/15/10 at 04:18 PM ET
Comments (9)
Please, spare me the puppy drool about wanting to go to a winning team. Kovalchuk is speaking with the Los Angeles Kings and the New Jersey Devils. If lifestyle was the only consideration, he would go to LA. If access to championships were his goal, he would find himself in Jersey.
He has, of course, signed with no one. Kovalchuk needs to save face, he wants a better offer than the Atlanta deal. Imagine Snow White spending the ball fruitlessly looking for a better offer after telling Prince Charming “Nope, not good enough.”
-Mike Ulmer of MapleLeafs.com. More on this topic from Mike.
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Tags: Ilya+Kovalchuk,
Who Will Blink First?
by Paul on 07/14/10 at 05:50 AM ET
Comments (4)
from Tom Gulitti of Fire & Ice,
After talking to a couple of people tonight, I can shed a little more light on the proceedings this week while unrestricted free agent Ilya Kovalchuk was in Los Angeles visiting with the Kings.
As the Los Angeles Times reported earlier, Kovalchuk left Los Angeles Tuesday while his agent, Jay Grossman, stayed behind for a while longer to meet with Kings general manager Dean Lombardi. Grossman then left Tuesday night without the sides reaching an agreement on a contract.
From what I understand, neither side has dropped out, but they also are deadlocked in negotiations with neither side budging right now. The Kings have offered a long-term deal in the range of $6 million to $6.5 million per season, The Kovlachuk camp is still sticking to its demands of $10 million per season for 10 years or at least close to that.
At this point, it appears to be a game of chicken with each side waiting for the other to flinch. The Kings feel they’ve gone as far as they can financially without jeopardizing the long-term future of the young core of their team. On the other hand. Kovalchuk and Grossman know they turned down one contract offer for a total of $101 million over 12 years and another for $70 million over seven seasons from the Thrashers in January.
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Tags: Ilya+Kovalchuk,
Now What Kovy?
by Paul on 07/13/10 at 08:10 PM ET
Comments (12)
via Helene Elliott tweet,
not confirmed yet but hearing that Kovalchuk to Kings is dead, this time for good. the reason: Kovalchuk wouldn’t compromise on money.
added 10:02pm, via Nick Kypreos tweet,
To throw my 2 cents in, I hear lines of communication remain open between Ilya/LA and talks aren’t dead. Sounds like BS poker continues…
added 10:38pm, via Rich Hammond of LA Kings Insider,
As much as I’d like to tell you otherwise — believe me, I’d like nothing more — there’s just nothing to indicate that there’s any finality in the Kings-Kovalchuk situation. I had good reason to believe there would be resolution tonight, but that doesn’t appear to be the case.
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Tags: Ilya+Kovalchuk,
Kings Not Talking
by Paul on 07/13/10 at 07:04 AM ET
Comments (0)
from Helene Elliott of the LA Times,
Tim Leiweke, the Kings’ governor and chief executive of the team’s parent company, AEG, declined to comment Monday. Lombardi did not respond to several requests for an assessment of where the Kings stand and whether his talks with Kovalchuk’s agent, Jay Grossman, will continue Tuesday.
Grossman has been silent about his client’s status since last Monday, when he said via Twitter that Kovalchuk’s choices had been “narrowed down.” Much has changed since then, including the Kings’ return to the negotiating table. They twice walked away after deciding they couldn’t fit his salary under the cap, retain their core players and add the players they will need to become a Stanley Cup contender.
Kings captain Dustin Brown said he met Kovalchuk at the rink Monday and was impressed. “I like him. He seemed like a humble and good guy,” Brown said at a launch party for his DLO23 sticks and clothing line.
He added he doesn’t know where the talks stand and is not involved in the process.
Center Jarret Stoll also met Kovalchuk, as did defenseman Matt Greene. “It seemed like he cares about being here and hopefully playing for the Kings,” Stoll said. “He wants to win, and that’s the most important thing for anybody to say and to think.”
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Tags: Ilya+Kovalchuk,
Sometimes It Takes Time To Make A Deal
by Paul on 07/12/10 at 11:48 AM ET
Comments (1)
from Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail,
How many times now have the Los Angeles Kings entered and exited the Ilya Kovalchuk sweepstakes? Twice? Three times? Eleventy-two (as Lucy Van Pelt famously once said to Charlie Brown).
It sure seems like a lot of hemming and hawing and it sure seems to be creating a lot of stress for people; those who figure that 12 days after he officially became eligible for unrestricted free agency, Kovalchuk should do us all a favour, make his decision and let everybody get on with their summers.
Me? I’m not stressed at all (a couple of days on the chuckwagon beat will do wonders for clearing your mind).
On the contrary, I applaud the fact that both player and NHL team are taking their time and trying to get the deal right.
However this plays out, Kovalchuk’s next deal will likely be his last one, a lifetime commitment to his next city and team of employ.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Los Angeles Kings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Ilya+Kovalchuk,
Report- Kovalchuk Drama Ends Tomorrow
by Paul on 07/11/10 at 05:52 PM ET
Comments (8)
via a Daren Millard tweet,
Kovy-gate comes 2 an end tomorrow. Kings win the process.. Don’t want announcment 2 get overshadowed by WC.
added 6:25pm, via Rich Hammond of LA Kings Insider,
No confirmation yet. One strong team source has just said that there is “continued engagement,” but that no announcement is imminent. Updates will be forthcoming if necessary.
added 6:52pm, via Pieree LeBrun tweet,
For all those asking, yes - Kings and Kovalchuk are talking again.
added 7:00pm, via Darren Dreger tweet,
Lombardi tells TSN. “Ilya Kovalchuk is coming to Los Angeles for face to face discussions, just like any free agent would. We are a long way from agreeing on a contract.”
added 7:20pm, via Helene Elliott tweet,
Hold off on buying Kovalchuk King jerseys. Lombardi: “reports of us signing him are utterly false.”
via Rich Hammond of LA Kings Insider, “
Kovalchuk is only coming here for a visit,” Lombardi said. “It is a great opportunity for him to meet us and us to meet him. Reports of us announcing a signing tomorrow are utterly false.”
added 7:48pm, via a Pierre LeBrun tweet,
“Ilya is coming out to LA,” Kings GM Dean Lombardi told ESPN.com Sunday night. ``We’re going to meet face to face. But reports that we are announcing his signing tomorrow are utterly and completely false. We have no deal. We’re not even close. I mean, who knows, maybe we’ll get close tomorrow but we have no deal right now.”
added 8:30pm, from Sportsnet,
While Lombardi has said a contract announcement is not imminent, sources tell Sportsnet that Kovalchuk has been adamant this past week in finding a way to bridge the negotiating gap between the two parties.
The source also says, despite the Kings’ demands to sign Kovalchuk to a term and dollar amount that fits their plans, L.A. has been the No. 1 choice destination for the Russian winger and his wife since free agency started July 1st.
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Tags: Ilya+Kovalchuk,
Other Teams Chasing Kovalchuk?
by Paul on 07/11/10 at 08:00 AM ET
Comments (0)
from Mark Everson of the NY Post,
The Ilya Kovalchuk Saga has gone silent, but there are indications that other NHL teams besides the Devils remain in the chase for the unrestricted superstar.
The Devils likely are the leading candidate to sign the 27-year-old. They made a major commitment by renting him in February, and have redoubled their sincerity. The Post reported yesterday that the Devils have made a front-loaded offer of 17 years worth more than $100 million, of which $100 million is guaranteed in the first 10 years of the contract.
It does not appear that any signing anywhere (accompanied by a TV show, a la LeBron) is imminent, and a revolutionary Russian offer might still capture the prize. The Islanders previously indicated interest without making an offer, and the Kings were in twice.
Still, there are believed to be other unspecified and silent teams still in the chase.
Filed in: NHL Teams | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Ilya+Kovalchuk,
Kovalchuk Needed By The Rangers
by Paul on 07/11/10 at 07:47 AM ET
Comments (0)
from Larry Brooks of the NY Post,
Tell me the name of the stud cen ter or blue-chip de fenseman in his prime coming up on unrestricted free agency for whom the Rangers should reserve cap space and thus bypass Ilya Kovalchuk.
Tell me the names of the Entry Level kids within the organization for whom general managerGlen Sather will need to reserve space to sign once the deal is done with Marc Staal.
Because I don’t see any Drew Doughtys or Duncan Keiths or Nicklas Backstroms on the depth chart, that’s for sure.
Tell me you aren’t attempting to make an analogy between the Rangers adding the 27-year-old Kovalchuk this summer, and adding the 28-year-old, already-multiply-concussed Eric Lindros in 2001, or between signing Ilya now and signing the 31-year-old, already-fried Theo Fleury in 1999.
Regardless of whether Sather, who has been in touch with the Kovalchuk camp this weekend, ramps up his interest in Ilya and joins the dance, do not tell me that the Rangers need to reserve his spot for a younger player.
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Tags: Ilya+Kovalchuk,
It May Come Down To Parise Or Kovalchuk
by Paul on 07/10/10 at 06:57 PM ET
Comments (2)
from Tom Gulitti of Fire & Ice,
Devils left wing Zach Parise has more than a passing interest in the never-ending Ilya Kovalchuk saga.
Another quiet day passed as Kovalchuk remains unsigned despite the Devils being the only NHL team that is still saying publicly that it is trying to sign the unrestricted free agent left wing.
Parise said he’s followed the proceedings from a far in Minnesota. Friends have texted him and called him about the same rumors many of you have read….
One is about whether Kovalchuk will be his teammate again next season. The other concerns nothing less than his future with the team.
If the Devils commit financially to Kovalchuk with the kind of money he is apparently seeking, there might not be enough salary cap space to sign Parise to a long-term extension. Parise, who will turn 26 on July 28, is scheduled to become a restricted free agent next summer and is two years away from unrestricted free agency.
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Tags: Ilya+Kovalchuk, Zach+Parise,
You Can’t Make Up Stuff Like This, Or Can You?
by Paul on 07/10/10 at 09:15 AM ET
Comments (0)
from Larry Brooks of the NY Post,
LeBron James may have snubbed Jim Dolan’s NBA team on the country’s national sports television network, but the Garden CEO still can be the star of the show if the Rangers declare on Ilya Kovalchuk, the NHL’s Jamesian free agent.
The Post has learned that one of Canada’s national outlets formally has proposed that Kovalchuk, the 27-year-old goal-scoring machine who is the most luminous prime-time star in NHL free agent history, announce his Decision during a one-hour network special based on LeBron’s precedent-setting episode on ESPN.
And if Kovalchuk makes the decision to go prime-time, isn’t it about time that Dolan and general manager Glen Sather offer this marquee athlete who has spent the first eight years of his career toiling off-off Broadway and off-Broadway in Atlanta and Newark, respectively, the biggest marquee there is, the one in New York?
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Tags: Ilya+Kovalchuk,
Not An Easy Time For Kovalchuk
by Paul on 07/09/10 at 09:06 PM ET
Comments (7)
from Rich Chere of the Star-Ledger,
Martin Brodeur has never been an unrestricted free agent, but the Devils goalie thinks he knows what Ilya Kovalchuk is going through.
Like Devils management and most fans, he is anxious to hear the winger’s decision about where he will play next season.
“I’m sure Kovy is not feeling good about what is going on right now,” Brodeur said today after another day without a decision from Kovalchuk. “I don’t know for sure, but it can’t be something that is comfortable, because if something is comfortable, you get it done right away.
“When you’re torn between two things or three things, it cannot be something that is fun. The pay day is going to be fun, but regardless of what is coming, you have to think about all of this.
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Tags: Ilya+Kovalchuk, Martin+Brodeur,
It’s All About The Cap With Kovalchuk
by Paul on 07/08/10 at 04:05 PM ET
Comments (5)
from Pierre LeBrun of ESPN,
... several GMs, governors and agents told ESPN.com over the past few months that they didn’t believe any team would be willing to pay Kovalchuk $10 million a year. You can’t pay anyone that amount of money and still expect to ice a competitive team around him under the salary cap. That’s a popular sentiment around the league.
But perhaps more intriguing is this rumor making the circles among owners and team executives—the league will fight for a lower salary cap (change the way the percentages are calculated in order to get a lower cap) in the next collective-bargaining agreement two years from now (the players will likely be led into the next labor talks by the battled-tested Donald Fehr and will certainly have a say in that.)
Whether the lower cap comes to fruition, the potential for it has clearly effected the way some teams are already thinking, including the Los Angeles Kings, the team Kovalchuk wants to sign with.
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Tags: Ilya+Kovalchuk,
Kovalchuk Wants Too Much From The Kings
by Paul on 07/08/10 at 08:18 AM ET
Comments (2)
from Helene Elliott of the LA Times,
Attracted by Kovalchuk’s production and electrifying style, the Kings reportedly offered him $63 million over 12 years, an annual cap hit of $5.25 million, or $84.5 million over 13 years, an annual cap hit of $6.5 million.
Several sources familiar with the situation but not authorized to talk publicly said Kovalchuk hasn’t compromised on an average annual value of $10 million, close to the NHL-leading $9.538-million average Washington’s Alexander Ovechkin earns in a 13-year deal.
The Kings say they can’t accommodate Kovalchuk, retain their core and bring in the support players necessary to become a consistent Stanley Cup contender.
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Tags: Ilya+Kovalchuk,
Kovalchuk Negotiations Continue
by Paul on 07/07/10 at 05:55 PM ET
Comments (3)
from Helene Elliott of the Fabulous Forum,
The Kings, who became “reengaged” in talks with free-agent winger Ilya Kovalchuk on Tuesday, according to General Manager Dean Lombardi, have received a proposal from Kovalchuk’s agent, Jay Grossman.
However, the proposed deal is so complex—and the ramifications so big from the Kings’ perspective—that they are not expected to respond for at least a day and possibly longer.
The Kings dropped out of the hunt Sunday, after Kovalchuk’s representative did not submit a counteroffer to the Kings’ initial proposals. Kovalchuk’s only other confirmed NHL suitor has been the New Jersey Devils, but they would have to clear substantial salary cap space to sign him, and they have not made any transactions that would allow them to sign the 27-year-old left wing.
The KHL in Kovalchuk’s native Russia appears to be his other option. The money there is big and tax-free, but he obviously couldn’t win the Stanley Cup there—if that, indeed, means more to him than a big payday.
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Tags: Ilya+Kovalchuk,
Kings Back In The Kovalchuk Hunt
by Paul on 07/07/10 at 12:18 PM ET
Comments (1)
Helene Elliott tweets,
Kings and Kovalchuk are “re-engaged” Lombardi says. Kovy to make first counter-offer today. This gets stranger and stranger…
update 12:27pm, Helene has added more tweets on this topic, so click her twitter feed for more.
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Tags: Ilya+Kovalchuk,
Your Evening Kovalchuk Update
by Paul on 07/05/10 at 08:10 PM ET
Comments (0)
via Jay Grossman tweet,
Ilya Kovalchuk choices have been narrowed down, details to be finalized but no announcement tonight….
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Tags: Ilya+Kovalchuk,
Decision Time For Kovalchuk
by Paul on 07/05/10 at 12:12 PM ET
Comments (16)
via Jay Grossman (Kovakchuk’s agent) tweet,
Ilya Kovalchuk looking to make decision on his future today
added 12:58pm, from Mark Everson of the NY Post,
With Ilya Kovalchuk’s agent breaking silence to promise a decision today, it appears the Devils have the inside track on re-signing him to what one source suggests will be a seven-year, $60 million package.
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Tags: Ilya+Kovalchuk,
Kings Out Of The Kovalchuk Race
by Paul on 07/04/10 at 05:44 PM ET
Comments (15)
via Helene Elliott tweet,
Kovalchuk says no to Kings. Lombardi: “We took our best shot to meet his needs and the team’s.”
added 6:09pm, via Helene Elliott of the Fabulous Forum,
Kings General Manager Dean Lombardi said Sunday afternoon that the high-scoring free agent decided against joining the Kings, who had targeted him as the productive winger they urgently need and a marquee player who might generate some buzz around town.
“We took our best shot to meet his needs and the team’s,” Lombardi said in an email.
He would not elaborate on where the Kings’ offer fell short or where Kovalchuk might be headed.
added 6:46pm, Just in case you believed those internet reports yesterday that the Avs were interested in Kovy…
from Adrian Dater of All Things Avs,
And, the Avalanche will NOT be part of the mix in the hunt for Ilya Kovalchuk. Colorado just isn’t a player for the still-free star winger. And who can blame them, really, with Kovalchuk’s purported salary desires.
added 9:46pm, from Elliotte Friedman tweet,
Source: Kings really want Kovalchuk badly, feel he’s exactly what they need…but cannot get him to drop below a contract request of $100 million. Kings feel they have made biggest offer they can without jeopardizing Drew Doughty and Jack Johnson extensions.
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Tags: Ilya+Kovalchuk,
What Do You Believe?
by Paul on 07/04/10 at 08:16 AM ET
Comments (0)
from Larry Brooks of the NY Post,
Maybe the Islanders moved from the $1 slots to the VIP Baccarat Lounge. Maybe they are in this for real. Maybe there is a serious negotiation at hand even though Kovalchuk’s objective going into free agency was to sign with a glamour/big-market team with a chance to win the Cup. Of course, his objective was to maximize his income, so maybe the opportunity to cash in has trumped all other considerations.
There is this, too: Kovalchuk is represented by Jay Grossman, one of the most circumspect agents in the business, an individual who never has been comfortable seeing numbers and speculation splashed around in the press. Two days of news blackouts for all intents and purposes, followed by this?
Again. Maybe it’s real. Maybe this is more than an attempt to get free publicity. Maybe this is more than a fleeting attempt to create good will among the battered fan base.
read on plus other hockey topics…
Filed in: NHL Teams, New York Islanders | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Ilya+Kovalchuk,
One Thing In The Islanders Favor
by Paul on 07/03/10 at 02:22 PM ET
Comments (4)
from Elliotte Friedman of CBC,
Russian players do like it in the New York area, so Snow’s got that going for him. But Kovalchuk is trying hard to prove he’s more than a money-hungry mercenary and badly wants to win. The fact he hasn’t already accepted an offer is an indication of that. The Kings and the Devils remain ahead of the Islanders as favourites because they are in a better position for future success.
Snow has an answer for that, too. According to Hankinson (player agent), when it was mentioned during the (Paul) Martin talks that Pittsburgh looked to be a better team, the Islanders GM replied, “We’re going to win, too.”
He’s certainly trying.
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Tags: Ilya+Kovalchuk,
Islanders Trying To Make A Big Signing
by Paul on 07/03/10 at 08:44 AM ET
Comments (0)
from Mark Everson of the NY Post,
When dealing for the biggest unrestricted ever, it’s folly to think the wannabes aren’t going to join the fun.
The Devils’ waiting game has given the lowly Islanders the chance to at least advance their name brand, if not actually entice Ilya Kovalchuk to join them for an improbable Stanley Cup bid.
Kovalchuk has made a point of wanting to play for a contender, but the Isles’ reported 10-year, $100 million offer might be enough to make the 27-year-old consider the once-proud franchise that has not won a playoff round since 1993. At the very least, it could be leverage to play against his two principal suitors, the Devils and Kings.
The Islanders actually need to make another big signing to reach the collective bargaining agreement’s minimum payroll and are said to have to thrown a monkey wrench into the cozy little standoff between the Devils and Kings, each thought to be bidding $7 million per season.
Filed in: NHL Teams, New York Islanders | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Ilya+Kovalchuk,
Nothing Anticipated On Kovalchuk Today
by Paul on 07/02/10 at 05:08 PM ET
Comments (0)
from a Tom Gulitti tweet,
Just got off the phone with Lamoriello. He does not anticipate anything happening today with Kovalchuk.
more tweets from Tom on this topic…
Do remember, things can change at the drop of a hat…
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Tags: Ilya+Kovalchuk,
All About Kovalchuk
by Paul on 07/02/10 at 01:17 PM ET
Comments (0)
from Mike Brophy of Sportsnet,
So on the first day of free agency, when all kinds of lunacy took place, why wasn’t Kovalchuk signed?
Nick Kypreos, the face of the network at Rogers Sportsnet, assures Kovalchuk was offered a contract by the Los Angeles Kings and that the team he finished the year with, the New Jersey Devils, all still in the running for his services.
One thing is certain, Kovalchuk will not get $10 million a year for 10 years from either of his suitors.
Here’s the thing about Kovalchuk, he is undeniably one of the most talented and exciting players in the NHL and you’d be hard pressed to find a better goal-scorer. But the question remains: can you win with him?
The Kings need him to sell tickets more than anything else. Los Angeles has just 7,000 season ticket holders. And the Devils probably want him just to save face having traded for him.
Frankly, I see Kovalchuk as one of those guys who is happier getting two goals in a 5-3 loss than being held pointless in a 4-1 win.
more hockey notes…
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Tags: Ilya+Kovalchuk,
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