Comments on: The New Jersey Devils expected to re-sign Ilya Kovalchuk to a seven-year, $60 million contract?

By: Isles27

Isles27 — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 23:27:25 +0000

I thought they could sign him and then they have until the end of the summer to get under the cap.

By: Fred Poulin

Fred Poulin — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 23:19:24 +0000

The problem for the Devils is that they have to trade salary before fitting Kovalchuk’s salary under the salary cap, it’s a big stalemate if Kovy wants to sign quickly. As I said here Is Ilya Kovalchuk Los Angeles-bound? -> http://hockeyindependent.com/blog/slasher98/17818/ I think the Kings are the best fit for the Russian sniper.

By: Isles27

Isles27 — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 22:35:35 +0000

There is a report that the Kings have “re-engaged” talks with Kovalchuk, he still hasn’t signed anywhere yet. Wonder what happened between him and Jersey it was supposed to be a done deal. I would still take him on a 5 year or less contract.

By: Dave Morris

Dave Morris — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 20:40:22 +0000

Fred, nice work.

A few observations…Ilya likes New Jersey, and Lou likes Ilya.

Makes a lot of sense for Kovachuk to remain a Devil if they can agree on the numbers.

Lamoriello will do what he needs to do, within Lou’s Rules.

With Volchenkov and Tallinder on the blue line and Hedberg spelling Brodeur, Ilya as a Devil would have a legit shot at the Cup this year.

The Isles, while they could be a playoff team, still need some more pieces to fill in.

Fun to watch this playing out.

By: Fred Poulin

Fred Poulin — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 19:28:16 +0000

Since no decision has yet to be taken by Kovalchuk and his agent, it’s hard to know if the Devils are really going to make the above offer to him; therefore, it should spur the rumors surrounding the Islanders and Kovy in the following days.

By: Isles27

Isles27 — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 12:54:53 +0000

Snow did nothing wrong here and some people in this fan base need to start thinking for themselves and stop listening to a certain blogger who is full of misinformation and hype. He gets the fire started and then allows it to burn out of control. According from what I read in Newsday Snow INQUIRED (no offer) about a short term deal, Kovalchuk and his agent didn’t want a short term deal and that was that. I have said all along I would only sign this guy if it was short term so I have no problem with Snow on this too many things can go bad with a 10 year contract. Hopefully one day these GM’s will wake up and stop awarding these long term contracts because in most cases I don’t think they are a good thing for an organization and the sport.

By: RobC/KO21

RobC/KO21 — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 22:47:08 +0000

Kovys gonna be a NY Islander! I hope..:)

By: PenguinsMarch

PenguinsMarch — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 20:39:06 +0000

Thanks for the update, Fred.

I’m very surprised that Lamoriello would retain him. He’s not one to generally keep Devils that test full-on unrestricted free agency, knowing that bidding wars often result along with the salary-cap headache.

Lost in all this is whether this signals a shift in organizational philosophy for NJ with Lemaire out and MacLean in. They can’t seriously expect Kovalchuk to buy into the defence-first system they’ve been practicing for nearly 2 decades, can they?!?!