 | HTR Feature Article: Devils' talks with Ilya Kovalchuk turn cold as deal with L.A. Kings heats u |
During one of the snowstorms that blanketed New Jersey last winter, Russian-born Ilya Kovalchuk said it didn’t faze him in the least.
Nevertheless, the 27-year-old left winger seemingly prefers the southern California weather and maybe a beach house in Malibu.
Kovalchuk was in California Monday talking with Kings general manager Dean Lombardi. They met in El Segundo and it appears Kovalchuk has his heart set on signing with the Kings rather than the Devils.
“Everything is the same as it was the last three or four days,” Devils GM Lou Lamoriello said as the team opened its week-long prospects camp at the Prudential Center. “Nothing changed. I don’t have anything to add to that.”
Asked if he believes Kovalchuk wants to play for the Devils, Lamoriello answered: “Uh, as I said, I have nothing to add to that.”
Kovalchuk and agent Jay Grossman are believed to be looking for a 10-year, $100 million deal. According to the Los Angeles Times, the Kings offered 12 years for $63 million (a $5.25 million cap hit) or 13 years at $84.5 million (a $6.5 million camp hit).
Lamoriello was asked if he is philosophically against signing a player to a contract 10 years or longer.
“I don’t think philosophically,” he responded, dodging the question.
Regardless of what the Devils might be willing to do, it seems Kovalchuk is trying very hard to sign with the Kings. Lombardi has already turned down two proposals from Grossman.
One of the proposals apparently asked that Kovalchuk be paid a low salary with a high bonus in 2012-13 because that has the potential to be a lost season because of a work stoppage when the current collective-bargaining agreement expires.
Whatever happens with Kovalchuk could have an impact on what the Devils can offer Zach Parise, who enters the final season on his contract.
Lamoriello said there is a chance the team will look to sign Parise to an extension this summer.
“We’ll see,” he said. “We’ll certainly try to get that done as quickly as possible.”
Lamoriello said he has kept Parise’s next contract in mind while dealing with Kovalchuk.
http://www.nj.com/devils/index.ssf/2010/07/devils_talks_with_kovalchuk_tu.html
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| "Devils' talks with Ilya Kovalchuk turn cold as deal with L.A. Kings heats u" | Login/Create an Account | 14 comments |
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Re: Devils' talks with Ilya Kovalchuk turn cold as deal with L.A. Kings heats u (Score: 1)
by JoelJoel (Bill@microsoft.com) on Tuesday, July 13
(User Info | Send a Message) | I have a feeling someone might get burned by a long deal with Ilya. I have no doubt he will play well next season, and could be in top form for years, but lengthy contracts are always a risk.
Anyone remember the last time DiPietro played? And it's not just injury that worries me. He could become complacent, lazy, or simply be unable to keep up his level of performance.
If anything, I'd offer him a 4-5 year max, and worry about resigning him then. The headache over losing him as a UFA five years from now is much preferable to the migraine of swallowing a huge salary for a player no longer worth it (or not playing at all). People seem to forget about our friend the cap.
Hope all the GMs play it smart and stop throwing around the idea of 10+ year deals.
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Re: Devils' talks with Ilya Kovalchuk turn cold as deal with L.A. Kings heats u (Score: 1)
by Kramer on Tuesday, July 13
(User Info | Send a Message) | I know 3 chicks that make up their mind faster than Kovie.
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Re: Devils' talks with Ilya Kovalchuk turn cold as deal with L.A. Kings heats u (Score: 1)
by cam7777 on Tuesday, July 13
(User Info | Send a Message) | And it's back to the drawing board. Sounds like a deal with the Kings won't be reached. No one is willing to give here. Kovalchuk won't take less money than he wants, but he won't go to Russia, and no one will offer him deals that are absolutely ridiculous on the cap. You can't have it both ways - either you take the big cap hit and big salary, and play for a mediocre team in a smaller market that's desperate for a star - or you be a team guy, sign for a little less, and make your salary cap friendly. Get with the program Kovalchuk.
In Pierre LeBrun's latest blog, he talks to some agents who suggested that their clients would not be taken off the free agent market until Kovalchuk is signed, and the subsequent Kaberle fall out unfolds. So it seems that to the agents, a Kaberle trade is almost certain. A few sources are reporting that the Sharks are now in on Kovalchuk, and Strickland just reported that the Sharks are willing to part with Clowe or Setoguchi + for Kaberle. He's a pretty reliable source, and has broken numerous signings, trades and buyouts (easily the best guy associated with Eklund).
Interesting developments to say the least. |
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Re: Devils' talks with Ilya Kovalchuk turn cold as deal with L.A. Kings heats u (Score: 1)
by Kramer on Wednesday, July 14
(User Info | Send a Message) | I heard from my secret insider sources that Kovalchuk is gonna sign somewhere before the season starts.
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Re: Devils' talks with Ilya Kovalchuk turn cold as deal with L.A. Kings heats u (Score: 1)
by MystifoLeafs on Wednesday, July 14
(User Info | Send a Message) | | I love how theres players out there who can do exactly what this guy can do but yet their not in the mindset that they need some contract that is valued at 10 mill a season, case and point the Phil Kessel signing he is a 5 mill and he is able to do exactly what Kovy can at only HALF the price (and yes I know he cost th leafs more then 5 mill to get him.) Kovy if someone is offering your 6 - 7 mill a season just take it because personally I would only offer you somewhere in the price range of 4 - 5 mill a season because only the 2 way guys like backstrom and pavel datzyuk deserve the massive contracts. |
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