Moving right along… « LA Kings Insider

Moving right along…

Posted by Rich Hammond on 26 June 2010, 6:33 pm

The draft is only a few hours old, and already focus turns to Thursday and the start of the free-agent signing period. ESPN.com’s Pierre LeBrun gets us started with a good blog item about the Kings’ interest in Ilya Kovalchuk, and a top-four defenseman. Pierre, as usual, hit it right on, in my opinion. Patrick Marleau’s re-signing made a thin market even slimmer, and probably increases the chances of the Kings going after Kovalchuk. The question is, how many other teams will be in that scrum and how much will they spend? On the back end, the Kings are an improbable fit for Toronto’s needs in terms of Kaberle. I tend to think that the Kings will get priced out of what seems to be an ever-growing market for Hamhuis, even though he would be a good fit. Seems as though the bidding there has the potential to get a little out of control in relation to Hamhuis’ ability, but we’ll see. It will be very interesting.

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152 Comments

Quisp says:

June 26, 2010 at 6:42 pm

How about a pronunciation guide for the new picks?

FOUR-burr, FOUR-bahr, FOUR-bore?
ta-FOH-lee, TA-foe-lee?
KEET-sin, KIT-sin?

[Reply]
Mark says:

June 26, 2010 at 7:00 pm

Would love to see them sign Volchenkov.

[Reply]
KingMe20 Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 11:18 am
@Mark,

He and Zbynek Michalek should be the back up plans if the Kings can’t get Hamhuis, who I think will stay in Pittsburgh.

[Reply]
Matt George says:

June 26, 2010 at 7:04 pm

AHEM:

anyone see that episode of South Park when Cartman freezes himself so he doesn’t have to wait until the Nintendo Wii comes out?

This will be me this week … I can’t take it regarding Kovalchuk.

If you don’t hear from me by Saturday afternoon please check with all the cryogenic clinics to see if I wrongly submitted my wake up time.

Gracias.

[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
June 26th, 2010 at 7:14 pm
@Matt George, You could always call,and remind us:)

[Reply]
jpuck Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
@Dominick,

not now K-10.

[Reply]
SD King Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 8:54 pm
@Matt George,

hahaha. I hear you there you man.

[Reply]
Joel says:

June 26, 2010 at 7:13 pm

This New Jersey experiment with Kovalchuk is like a square peg through a round hole. I’m surprised that New Jersey is continuing to try to keep him around even though Parise is also there and getting a boat load of money as their incumbent top line left wing. That seems like a bunch of money dedicated to two left wings. That has to be a factor in Kovalchuk’s mind. At this point, I think the Kings are the favorite in landing him.

[Reply]
maraudking05 Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 9:29 am
@Joel,
Actually Parise is getting paid at a BARGAIN rate compared to what he should be getting paid. At just a shade over $3.1 Mil/year he isn’t even close to the highest paid player on the Devils. Granted for the 2011/2012 season he will most likely getting his much deserved raise since he is RFA.

[Reply]
WWAMD says:

June 26, 2010 at 7:20 pm

Kings have been trying to get Kovy’s rights for quite a while now. They were hoping to announce his signing at the Draft.

Also Kings and Flyers were talking at the draft. Want to find out what they were talking about?

Follow me on twitter.com/WWAMD to get the exclusives.

[Reply]
Quisp Reply:
June 26th, 2010 at 8:31 pm
@WWAMD,

That would have been interesting, announcing a signing of a player who is signed to another team.

[Reply]
David Reply:
June 26th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
@Quisp, He meant they would announce that NJ traded Kovy’s rights to the Kings for a pick or something.

[Reply]
Quisp Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 10:53 am
@David,

I understand. However, if you recall from this time last year, Lombardi is not in the habit of making these things public, until (at least) after the fact.

Nobody important Reply:
June 26th, 2010 at 10:21 pm
@WWAMD,
I’m going to go ahead and say you have no reliable source on anything you are talking about right now. Where were you sitting again on media row?

[Reply]
WWAMD Reply:
June 26th, 2010 at 11:21 pm
@Nobody important,

Thats fine, and thats your opinion.

However, if you believe others with sources, who have “websites” you’d notice they report what I say a few hours, or even days after I say it. Take for example Berry talking about how Doughty and Dean may already have a contract drawn up. I reported that weeks ago.

I’m well connected with players, staff of certain teams and so on. So I hear things and I report what I think is cool. Trust me I filter a lot out, or sometimes I’m not even allowed to say certain things, so I may hint once in a while.

But its the internetz, so who can you believe?

[Reply]
Darrell Reply:
June 26th, 2010 at 11:53 pm
@WWAMD, Wow, everyone’s a “reporter” these days.

Paul From Oxnard Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 3:11 am
@WWAMD, Well I know one person I don’t believe: You.

maraudking05 Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 9:36 am
@WWAMD,

Right,

Rumors are exactly that… RUMORS. Do you really think they are going to tell some “fan” about the dealings they have going on???
No offense, but if you are so well connected as you say. Why don’t you have some press credentials, opposed to cruising Hammond’s page?

Just sayin…

Quisp Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 10:57 am
@WWAMD,

Doughty can’t have a contract drawn up. Negotiation can’t start until 7/1. However, “reporting” that Doughty and Lombardi “may” be close to getting new contracts is like me reporting that the free agency signing period “may” begin on Thursday. See Sun, may set in West.

David Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
@WWAMD, lol, I hope you’s trollin.

WWAMD Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 7:09 pm
@WWAMD,

I have a very strong source that says Doughty agreed to terms already and he’s just waiting to make it legal on July 1st.

I actually got a chance to talk to Doughty 2 weekends ago, he was in Guelph for an alumni game. Brown was there too.

However, I did not hear that he agreed to terms from his mouth. He was chilling with a bunch of buddies that are friends of my friends and we all hanged out after at a local bar and were all pretty spread out, I was not in Doughty’s space as he was closer to his close friends. Someone in my group mentioned that Doughty is set for life and he’s already agreed to a sweet contract. I butted in and said, HOW, he can’t sign one till July 1st. And everyone looked puzzled when I said that, and then couple mins. later after going back and forth and mingling with Doughty’s posse, we got on the subject again without Doughty being there and someone mentioned he already agreed to numbers with his boss. Which is Dean I guess.

Thats how I come to my “rumors”

I don’t have much to report on. Most of the “rumors” coming from trainers and staff and its mostly Canadian rumors, so I don’t have much to “report” on Kings, besides Doughty, Simmonds, Westgrath, Loktionov and thats basically it. I hear some JJ once in a while too.

threepwood Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 11:24 am
@WWAMD,

Just wondering what the career path would look like if somebody on the Kings ‘staff’ (or any team for that matter) actually leaked valid and pertinent information to some fan — just so that he could post it on a twitter page with 20 followers?

Super smart move…

[Reply]
alen Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
@threepwood, wwamd= eklund? Would make so much sense.

[Reply]
DougS Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 7:18 pm
@alen,
WWAMD is Matthew Barry in drag.

Why wouldn’t anybody trust him? He was right about the Kings trading for Cheechoo at the trade deadline, wasn’t he? Oh, right….

WWAMD Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 7:00 pm
@threepwood,

Short and simple.

I just started twitter page. Its open to public. Will be made exclusive soon.

I’m not a “reporter” more so a “fan”. But due to the people I hang around and the connections I have, I do hear things that “Eklund” and others may not. Some are rumors and when I know some have truth behind it then I post it. Sometimes if the rumor is interesting, I’ll post that too.

For example, I know someone who is extremely close to Frolov. I never met Frolov, nor have I even said a word to Frolov. But I do know a hockey player that is friends with Frolov. I know this hockey player through his brother. So we were all hanging out not too long ago and I asked him about Frolov. He told me Frolov is going to the KHL for sure. Then he added unless Rangers offer him something decent. I asked him about Montreal. He said, no, he doesn’t want to go to Montreal, he only wants to go to Rangers or KHL or stay in LA, but LA hasn’t shown any interest in him.

There you have it. I know first hand, that information is correct because I heard it come out of Frolov’s friends mouth. NOW, who’s to say Frolov may sign in Montreal, u never know. But as of now, Fro’s plans are KHL, or Rangers.

[Reply]
threepwood Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 10:26 pm
@WWAMD,

To each his own, I guess.

Personally, not a fan of the behavior.

Please let us know if you happen to get punched out by a hockey player’s brother — or a member of his posse — for posting stuff onto Twitter that you were told in confidence.

Something tells me that none of these people would be too pleased if they knew what you were doing with the info.

txkingsfan Reply:
June 28th, 2010 at 6:57 am
@WWAMD, Heck! I’m just glad that Anthony took the last 6 months off to learn the English language and has come back with a new moniker!

[Reply]
Rich Hammond says:

June 26, 2010 at 7:21 pm

Quisp… Best I could determine, it would be FOUR-burt, ta-FOH-lee, Wheel, Grah-velle and KEET-sin. Although, given some of the hideous pronunciations I’ve heard at NHL arenas, these kids probably learn to answer to most anything.

[Reply]
Quisp Reply:
June 26th, 2010 at 8:30 pm
@Rich Hammond,

Did we really just draft Fourbert to go with Twobert?

[Reply]
LBlocal Reply:
June 26th, 2010 at 9:39 pm
@Quisp, A tribute to… A beloved king.. Oh so long ago…

Bert Wilson 1975-80 317GP 24G 32A 56PS 437PIM

A plumber with a skating job. gkg!

[Reply]
tuan jim Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
@LBlocal,

What about Bert Wilson?

Belexes Reply:
June 26th, 2010 at 10:19 pm
@Quisp,

Maybe if they get paired together in the future we will be able to call them 2×4.

[Reply]
Quisp Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 10:58 am
@Belexes,

I can’t believe I didn’t think of that.

TYLER Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
@Belexes, HAHAHAHA thats great!!

jet Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 3:40 pm
@Belexes, very, very funny on so many levels

Moondoggie Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 3:49 pm
@Quisp, *LMAO*

[Reply]
Kevin Y Reply:
June 28th, 2010 at 9:58 am
@Quisp,

That has to be it…

That has to be the reason we traded up to get him.

It makes perfect sense!!!

[Reply]
Howe 9 says:

June 26, 2010 at 7:36 pm

Can you imagine if we get Kovalchuk? All this time it’s been nothing but talk & speculation. But this is starting to sound real. What will happen to Kopitar when he is not the top dog anymore? I mean billboard & jersey wise & fan favorite wise.

What kind of person is Kovalchuk? Will he be signing autographs in the Toyata Sports Center parking lot like all the other players? How will he be at the Meet the Players Party & Tip A King? It will be interesting.

[Reply]
Kevin Y Reply:
June 26th, 2010 at 7:41 pm
@Howe 9,

Kopitar’s gotten his jersey sales the last couple years. If it brings Kovalchuk to the team, I’d have to think he’d be wlling to step aside.

[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
June 26th, 2010 at 7:48 pm
@Howe 9,
I hope Kopi does’nt care who is the Kings poster child,as long as we win.

Come to think of it,even if we don’t win,I hope he does’nt care.

Kovi was loved by fans in Atlanta,I’m sure LA will love him more.

[Reply]
WWAMD Reply:
June 26th, 2010 at 7:53 pm
@Dominick,

Actually Kopitar does a video interview where he smiles and gets all gitty about the idea of Kovalchuk coming to LA. He would love it!

[Reply]
Matt George Reply:
June 26th, 2010 at 8:01 pm
@WWAMD,

Yeah I gotta agree.

Seems like that addition would be awesome for Kopi.

Dominick Reply:
June 26th, 2010 at 8:04 pm
@WWAMD,
I picture Kopi being relieved.Kinda like when Gasol first came to LA,and Kobi replied”There is a God”.

Duckhunter Reply:
June 26th, 2010 at 8:19 pm
@Howe 9,

I hate to burst anyones bubble but neither Kopitar nor Kovi are L.A.’s poster boy…..can you say Doughty!!

[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
June 26th, 2010 at 8:31 pm
@Duckhunter,
Can’t argue with that.As Shrek would say “Doughty,bye bye,see ya later”.

[Reply]
Quisp Reply:
June 26th, 2010 at 8:33 pm
@Duckhunter,

Except I’m sure the AEG people are picturing little dancing Kovy/Kopi/Kobe ad campaigns dancing in their heads.

[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
June 26th, 2010 at 8:45 pm
@Quisp, Get Knocked Out,with LA sports.

Moondoggie Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
@Howe 9, Ummmmm….I think they have to sign him first. Let’s not let this get completely out of had folks. DL & staff have a long ways to go before Kovi puts on a Kings jersey, a very long ways to go. Personally, as much as I’d like to see him sign with the Kings, I’m not certain if he fits into the long term interest of the team. There are two other guys I value more than Kovi, Dewey & JMFJ. They are the core of our defense. If we were to sign Kovi at the expense of losing either of those guys…it’s just not worth it……sorry.

[Reply]
Bob Bobson Reply:
June 28th, 2010 at 9:40 am
@Moondoggie, Agreed, DL has the potential to build a dynasty here and if Kovy asks for numbers similar to what ATL offered, I say forget him. I know CHI paid a lot of money for “top tier” FA’s and won the Cup with their help but I think we can do better.

[Reply]
Moondoggie Reply:
June 28th, 2010 at 10:49 am
@Bob Bobson, Nicely put!
edwood2 says:

June 26, 2010 at 7:37 pm

“The team attempts to add the final pieces to a rising western conference powerhouse”. Wow. When was the last time that was said about the Kings?

[Reply]
Moondoggie Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
@edwood2, Yea, that one blew me away too….LeBrun really likes the Kings….huge! Great writer, good taste too! *LOL*

[Reply]
Doc. Mark 1968 says:

June 26, 2010 at 7:43 pm

It’s just a hunch, but I think the Blues are going to try to get Kovi. I think going after the other young Russian winger has something to do with it: one on the right, one on the left.

Also, Sabotka went to the Blues today and they yet have good cap space; look out for them this year with Halak in net.

Its probably just drunk bloging but I did see the idea on another website that Stoli and Simmer would go to the Leafs for Kaberle and Grabo. The Kings do not need another centerman though; it is still not clear exactly what they plan to do with Schenn.

I can’t imagine TM having a platoon goalie situation; he is just not that kind of a coach. If this is true, keeping two kick ass goalies (as cool as it seems to most of us) makes no sense. If the Fly get Nabokov as is being reported, I can’t think of many who need a goalie right now (can you?). Unless…

Andrew Ladd (left wing!!)is available for one. Word is that the Whale want him badly but I bet many more are making offers than we know about.

Enough drunk blogging for me today!

[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
June 26th, 2010 at 7:52 pm
@Doc. Mark 1968,
Juraj Mikus said”stay thirsty my friend”.

[Reply]
David Reply:
June 26th, 2010 at 8:52 pm
@Dominick, Juraj Mikus can speak Spanish fluently in French.

[Reply]
grega11 Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 6:05 am
@David,

ok, that just made my day!

Moondoggie Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 4:01 pm
@Dominick, *ROFLMAO*!!!! That was priceless!!!! Ever think the guy on the Dos Equis commercial is Juraj Mikus???? “Stay Thirsty My Friends!” He truly is “The Most Interesting Man on The Planet”

[Reply]
crashin' da net Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 6:40 pm
@Moondoggie, OK, who’d stealing my material??!!
Hockey Jesus says:

June 26, 2010 at 8:54 pm

I wouldn’t see surprised if DL went after Henrik Tallinder 2-3 yr deal to bridge the gap on the back end if OD isn’t resigned. Smooth skater good offensive skills left handed shot. Here’s a video on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4m2YNCtl1I I think our D could look something like this:

Doughty-Scuds
Johnson-Tallinder
Greener-Drewiskie/Martinez/Hickey etc.

As for Kovy…well we need sniper period. I am sure that DL won’t overpay but if he was willing to go after Hossa last summer what makes anyone think he won’t attempt to go after Kovy? The guy has passion like Ovechkin. Skill up the you know what and we would have a guy that wants to shoot the puck. Sign the dude to a 6-7 year deal. Frontload it. Lets win a cup. End of story.

[Reply]
Kings Fan in Buffalo Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 11:51 am
I totally agree with the Tallinder thing, I brought it up in an older blog. I am from Buffalo and a huge Sabres fan and I love Henrick. He was great with Tyler Myers last season and he could do the same with Doughty or Johnson this season.

[Reply]
JonG says:

June 26, 2010 at 9:32 pm

It would be great to land Kovi but I don’t think it will happen given how our cap situation would be affected down the line.

We might be better off trading for a couple of top six forwards making $4 million each instead of paying Kovi $8 million. (I know he turned down $10 million but I doubt any strong team has the cap space to offer him that much).

[Reply]
Chris P. Bacon Reply:
June 26th, 2010 at 11:57 pm
@JonG,

Affect down the line? As long as you keep your key players everything will be fine. Trade someone if you have to.
Look at Chicago, who cares if they lose Buff or Steeg or Ladd or Sopel, as long as you keep Toews, Kaner, Hoss, Keith etc, you will be fine.

4 million dollar players are great if you want to stack up your 2nd line. Looking at our roster, we are full of them. We need another impact player like Kopitar or better. Thats how you improve as a team.

[Reply]
Bickleton Wigglesworth III says:

June 26, 2010 at 10:17 pm

I’m still not sold on Kovalchuk. He has great individual numbers but what have his teams done? And his salary could be astronomical. If DL goes out and gets him I certainly won’t be burning my Kings jersey in protest, I just worry about how the type of contract Kovalchuk will command might hamstring the Kings down the line (like Chicago with Campbell, Huet, and Hossa).

I’d rather see how the Kings do this season without Ilya and then see who comes up next summer in a likely deeper FA pool.

[Reply]
tantrum4 Reply:
June 26th, 2010 at 10:58 pm
@Bickleton Wigglesworth III,

You’re crazy. UFA’s like Kovalchuk don’t come up every year. This is our one and only chance to sign one of the top 2 goals scorers in the NHL since the lockout (only behind Ovechkin), and not have to give up anything in return. There is NO WAY you can compare Kovalchuk to Huet or Campbell, Kovi is a superstar and the other two are just bad signings. His contract won’t hinder the Kings anymore than Ovechkin, Crosby, Backstrom, Malkin, Datsyuk, Zetterberg etc have hindered their respective teams…

[Reply]
Chris P. Bacon Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 12:04 am
@Bickleton Wigglesworth III,

I’m not sold on Kovalchuk either.

I think we should sign Brian Willsie and Randy Jones to save cap space. For what, I don’t know.
I just enjoy having cap space reserved so I could trade for a guy like Jeff Halpern at the deadline to help our cup run.

[Reply]
Barrie G Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 8:36 am
@Chris P. Bacon,

Classic.

[Reply]
Quisp Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 11:10 am
@Chris P. Bacon, @tantrum

The question is not whether Kovalchuk is any good. The question is, at what price is it a bad deal for the Kings?

If St. Louis offers him $9MM, do we offer $9.5MM?

Because if we do that, the season after next (with new contracts for Doughty, Johnson, Simmonds, Bernier and Moller — and even letting Williams and Handzus walk as UFAs), you’re looking at a team that’s $5MM over this year’s cap, $2.5MM over if you eat up the bonus cushion.

So it will in fact cost you some players over the course of this season, since that’s when the dumping will begin. (for example, in the scenario above, you have to trade Williams and Handzus, or just let them walk at the end of the year — as well as dumping another $3-6MM in salary…)

Worth it? Maybe. But it’s not without considerable cost.

[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
@Quisp,
This is getting easier Quisp. With all due respect to other posters (some of whom make excellent points) when lacking time I just scroll till I see your name and then get the practical info I need.

David Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
@number 6, ctrl f “Quisp”.

Moondoggie Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
@Quisp, Dead on, period. Do you dismantle the entire team for one player???? I think not….

Lewes Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 7:16 pm
@Quisp, You nailed it right on the head my friend! This is what I’ve been telling all my friends at work, there finally comes a point where he’s not worth it any more. He’s a tremendous hockey player, no doubt, but we can’t sacrifice 1/2 the team.

Kevin Y Reply:
June 28th, 2010 at 10:01 am
@Bickleton Wigglesworth III,

Thrashers haven’t done much since getting Kovi, but it’s certainly not his fault.

That’s not gonna be a factor in whether they go after him or not. It’s gonna be the cap issues, not what past TEAMS have done.

[Reply]
KFAN says:

June 26, 2010 at 11:21 pm

I kinda agreed and disagreed with BW 111.. I feel the Kings would be a better team with Kovi but they would still need another signing or 2 to push the team to the next level… But if they don’t go after Kovi and Kovi helps that team to the next level? You just don’t know… My wish was Carter and Kovi….

[Reply]
sammuch says:

June 27, 2010 at 3:36 am

Cap space this, cap apace that!

Kovi is a superstar and all superstars need other geart stars to to win the cup. We have Kopi, DD, Brown, JJ, Quick, and soon Schean, Bernier Vonoav who will make the team this year, I hope. To win the cup you need to pay 8 mil a year for 5 years for Kovi and then sign DD for 10 years for 45 mil.Symth will be gone in 2 years so that leave more cap space to sign the young stars coming up. All this means is a cup or two in the next 5 years….Helloooooo

[Reply]
sammuch Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 3:46 am
@sammuch, I am sorry, I meant DD 10 years for 65 mil.

[Reply]
Paul From Oxnard Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 5:52 am
@sammuch, Kovi turned down $10M a year from Atlanta. Why would he take less to come here? And even if he would, when have the Kings ever shown an interest in spending that much money on 1 guy, unless his name was Gretzky? And Kovi is no Gretzky.

[Reply]
Gabby Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 6:46 am
@Paul From Oxnard,

Wait, did you really just ask why Kovi would take less to play with the Kings instead of Atlanta?

How about because Atlanta sucks?

[Reply]
Sean3317 Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 10:18 am
@Paul From Oxnard,

The reason Kovy turned down Atl’s offer WASN’T money related it was team direction! He knew they weren’t goin anywhere, and he was right they aren’t goin anywhere atm, they fire everybody and are rebuilding. He and his wife wanted to come out west and they both LOVE LA. If the Kings don’t sign him there is a bigger concern that someone in the conference, the division, or worse yet, the DUCKS could try to land him!!! Sign him and give Kopi the real top end talent he/we needs Deano!!!!

[Reply]
David Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
@Paul From Oxnard, I don’t know Kovy persoanlly, but I doubt he is this stupid. He knows that he won’t get more than 10 mil a year in the NHL other than from the ridiculous offer from ATL. Him not taking the contract from ATL either says hes going to the KHL for more money (which I doubt, but its still a possibility) or because he doesnt want to play there. He wants to win and knows he can’t be a winner in ATL.

[Reply]
quisp Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 11:13 am
@sammuch,

Kopi, DD, Brown, JJ, Quick, and soon Schean, [sic] Bernier Vonoav [sic]

But you won’t have half of those guys if you overpay for Kovalchuk. Period.

[Reply]
tantrum4 Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 2:22 pm
@quisp,

Yes you will. Nobody has any clue what lies ahead, not one year down the road let alone 3 years. People have to stop worrying about the future so damn much and live in the now. If Pitts, Detroit, San Jose, Washington, Chicago etc can have 3 or 4 guys on their team making 5 million or more, why can’t we? DL will make it work. All you need to worry about is cheering for the Kings, not their cap space.

[Reply]
David Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
@tantrum4, Some of us Cheer for the players such as Doughty and Simmonds. If we mess up our cap space, we might have a problem keeping these players that we love.

Quisp Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 4:40 pm
@tantrum4,

Things we know:

1) There is a cap.
2) Doughty, Johnson, Simmonds, Bernier and Moller are RFA next summer.
3) Kovalchuk will get at least $6.5MM (pipe-dream for GMs) and at most $10MM (pipe dream for Kovalchuk).
4) Pitt lost Gill and Scuderi and weren’t as good; the Caps…well, they haven’t won anything yet; Detroit lost Hossa, Hudler, Samuelsson and Kopecky and were much worse for it; Chicago won the cup, have dumped seven players so far (purely for cap reasons) with another 2-4 to go.
5) DET has four guys making $5MM+
6) PIT has three.
7) CHI has six and are desperate to unload two of them.
WAS has four.

Two things that will not change in the next two years are fact of the cap and the rules of addition.

The difference between a $5MM player and an $8MM player is…wait for it…$3MM.

Kovalchuk at $7-8MM is barely affordable. Kovalchuk at $9MM isn’t.

If you run the numbers for the Kings 2011-12 (the season after this one), if you plan on keeping Doughty, Johnson, Simmonds and Bernier (and Moller), and plan on dumping all your UFAs to clear space, and you have also signed Kovalchuk to a $9MM contract, you will be losing some big pieces. Just re-signing those players and adding in IK, you’re $5MM over the cap. Who would you like to get rid of? Pick two of Brown, Stoll, Greene or Scuderi. (if you think someone’s going to take Ryan Smyth off our hands when he still has two years left at $6MM+…I suggest you go check out Brian Campbell.)

Just throwing magic pixie dust everywhere and saying “live in the now” doesn’t do anything other than insult people who live in reality.

Moondoggie Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
@quisp, Agreed, completely. He’s just now worth sacrificing the core of the team for…. How many goals did we get out of Zeus this year for setting the perfect screen??? How many???? You won’t see that kind of play out of Kovi or anyone else…..It’s called an intangible and Kovi just isn’t worth the price he’s asking, not at the risk of sacrificing the entire team.

[Reply]
sammuch Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 10:08 pm
@quisp,

You only sign Kovi for 5 years thats all for 8 mil. Also sign DD as I said. Thats it for the year.

Then guys like Stoll,Has, Greene,Scurderi,Symth and maybe even Brown and Qick will leave the team.But we might win the cup with them before they leave in the next 2-3 years.

Then the young Kings prospects move in and take over these players that are gone. The core of the team we hope for the next 5 to 6 years can be like this Kopi, Kovi, DD , JJ, Simms, Bernier, Schean and so on. This will keep us under the cap in three years. (say at that time it will be 65 mil to what its at now at 59.5 cap)Then in the 4 or 5 year we have another Cup!

Thats what DL is doing in the new NHL! He will receycle his players ever 5 years and keep the core going. Det NJ and now Chi is doing this and look how many cups they one in the last 15years doing this and now Chicago.

Thats what I mean by Cap this Cap that!

[Reply]
kingfish Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 10:25 pm
@quisp,
I agree, need to keep the core ( minus moller, he has yet to show that much more upside IMO). There is a point at which Kovy is too expensive, over 8-8.5 is really pushing it. If we can make it work then cool. I would slit my wrists if the dux get him. Smyths contract is killing us. I love the guy but he shouldnt be making that kind of money. And Ill bet he gets injured again this season. Williams should be traded, we should definitely keep zuess.

[Reply]
sammuch Reply:
June 28th, 2010 at 12:13 am
@kingfish,
I love zuess too! But in 3 years he will be what 35, Smyth to will 36. So, time to bring in the young guys from AHL by then.
Willams, I agree move him or maybe he can prove himself this year, so we can trade him… most likly he will miss another 40 games.

If we get Kovi for 8 mil and keep the core and we just might win 2 cups in the next 6 years. As the core players get into 32 to 35 years old we let them go or they can stay for less money and start a new core of Kings.

This is what DL is trying to do receycle players evey 5 years and the Kings core players every 8 to 10 years and then wow we just might win 1 Cup every 3 years for the next 15 years if all goes as plan by Mr. DL!

Thats what cap this cap that is all about guys..
A5minmjr says:

June 27, 2010 at 8:34 am

I am not holding my breath for Kovi. Every year the Kings are rumored to be in the hunt for one of the top Free Agents, and then every year that agent signs with Detroit or New York.

My money is on Kovi staying in the East and signing with New York. Who cares if NY doesn’t have the cap space to sign him, they will find a way…..

Just sayin….

[Reply]
bob Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 9:11 am
@A5minmjr,

LOL, totally agree!

[Reply]
KingNewfie says:

June 27, 2010 at 8:43 am

Kovi will be a King. He will not ask for 10 mill a year. He will not want an extremely long contract to play with this team.

I say this because he knows this team is about to win a cup.

Bring him in to help… and lose NO assets in the process.

Boom-shaka-lacka.

[Reply]
Paul From Oxnard Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 11:56 am
@KingNewfie, I think if it were really just about winning a cup he’d stay in New Jersey. At least they have a history of doing so.

I just don’t get why Kings fans are convincing themselves that any big name free agent would want to come to LA besides the weather? Sure, we’re a good young team, but so is half of the NHL and most teams have more history then the Kings.

Every summer Kings fans get their hopes up about the latest high priced free agent. Every year they’re disappointed. Plus Dean Lombardi doesn’t have the best track record at signing free agents. He’s a draft guy, not a free agency guy. I’ll personally be shocked if Kovalchuk signs in LA. I hope I’m wrong, but I’m not holding my breath.

[Reply]
Matt George Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 3:19 pm
@Paul From Oxnard,

A quote from Steve Spurrier seems to fit nicely here:

“You can go to those other teams and be a part of history. Or you can come here and MAKE history.”

[Reply]
TYLER Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 3:45 pm
@Matt George, love that quote!

Dan H. Reply:
June 28th, 2010 at 10:46 am
@KingNewfie,

Didn’t do a lot for NJ winning the cup with him this year now did it?

[Reply]
Cup B4 I Die says:

June 27, 2010 at 9:20 am

Can you imagine the energy at the MGM Grand at Frozen Fury if Kovi signs with the Kings? The Kings would instantly be considered a top 5 team in the West and ready to contend for the CUP.

I refused to look at the Stanley Cup on display at the draft. Never seen it ‘in person’. Waiting until I’m watching Dustin Brown lift it over his head! Is it October yet?

[Reply]
king_Stoner Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 11:15 am
@Cup B4 I Die,

same here… ive had two chances to see it in person but refused to see it til the kings win it!!!

hopefully soon… fan since 89

[Reply]
gary livingston Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 11:30 am
@Cup B4 I Die,

I kissed the thing in ’96. I wish I still had the polaroid picture of me doing that.

In any case…I’ve cursed us all!

hahah

[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 2:47 pm
@Cup B4 I Die,I too am a hold out for the same reasons as you and Stoner.

Damn you Gary!It’s all your fault it took so long to see some playoff action.

[Reply]
Howe 9 says:

June 27, 2010 at 9:49 am

Kovy’s no idiot. He knows he will have to take less for a chance at a cup. He knows if he asks for too much then we may lose Doughty, Johnson, etc. Where would he be then? Another Atlanta. I think he wants to win & I think he will take less than Atlanta offered him last year to do it.

[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
@Howe 9, If he did,I wonder if they’ll Booo him in Atlanta.

[Reply]
USCG says:

June 27, 2010 at 9:58 am

Even if we don’t get Kovy, which I DOUBT we will, Im sure we can get at least 2 20 goal scorers which will suffice for a DEEP play off run if not a cup run. Regardless, if it’s not next year, it’s gonna be the year after that. Just imagine we make it to the last round of the cup finals, only to lose. Then the year after, we will be getting a chance at almost ALL the free agents of that year. Hopefully we get Kovalchuk, but I doubt we will.

[Reply]
tantrum4 Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 2:25 pm
@USCG,

2 20 goal scorers? Umm…you mean like Frolov? No thanks. I’ll take Kovalchuk.

[Reply]
USCG Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 5:21 pm
@tantrum4, Did I say I didn’t want Kovalchuk? No, Open your eyes when you’re reading a post. I said if we DONT get him, which I DOUBT we will since we never seem to be able to pull the trigger on anything, I’m sure we can find 2 20 goal scorers. I just literally had to re-phrase my post so someone like you could try and understand it better.

[Reply]
Barry's Mullet says:

June 27, 2010 at 10:00 am

I don’t know who the Kings are going to sign after July 1st….I’m just happy it won’t be another summer of FA fishing and coming back empty handed.

Leiweke is hot to make a big splash. DL and staff were given an extension. Kings finally made the playoffs. Chicago showed everyone how its done. Kings have the cap space. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist
to know something big is going to happen this summer.

Kovi, Carter, Hamhuis, etc….just one step closer to a legit shot at the cup.

[Reply]
Galen says:

June 27, 2010 at 12:58 pm

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/37954159/ns/sports-player_news/

[Reply]
OldmanSleepin says:

June 27, 2010 at 4:13 pm

Kings are making a (substantial) offer for Kovalchuk, very interesting! We know he can score goals, and looks like he could be a great fit on this team. I would be ecstatic if he ends up with the Kings (but trying not to get my hopes up). The question is always how much will it take. Just for fun, what do we think this offer might be? I’m going to guess something around 8 years for 66 million, that would be 8.25 per.

[Reply]
Flake says:

June 27, 2010 at 4:14 pm

I’m not saying Kovi should or shouldn’t sign with the Kings, but if the Kings don’t sign him and the Ducks do, Dean Lombardi better run for cover because Kings fans WILL NOT forgive him for that! Personally, I love what Lombardi has done so far and I would love to have Kovalchuk, but if it means giving up one of our core players in the future, then no thanks. But the bottom line is the Kings NEED sniper help, the question is “who, from where and how much”?

[Reply]
jet Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 4:52 pm
@Flake, this Kings fan would love to see the Ducks sign Kovi for 55M over 5 years. One can only hope.

[Reply]
Flake Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 6:22 pm
@jet, I don’t understand your reasoning, please explain yourself. Is it because at 11M per year, the Ducks would most likely have to disassemble a good part of their team to afford it? Honestly, as a Kings fan I wouldn’t want to face Kovalchuk 6 times a year…

[Reply]
jet Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 7:45 pm
@Flake, yes with a heavy contract, they will not be able to address their D deficiencies and will lose many games. This would be good for Kings fans.

Moondoggie Reply:
June 28th, 2010 at 11:46 am
@jet, The funny thing here and I see your point, this is EXACTLY the kind of thing the Ducks would do. They are consistently trying to upstart the Kings and have been very good at it over the years. They have a cup. They had a good draft this year, although I tend to believe the Kings did better. I’d have liked to see LA pick Fowler & Etem and DL could have done it. But as we’ve seen time and time again, the Kings have real talent when it comes down to evaluating young talent. For some reason, Fowler dropped to 12th in the draft and Etem all the way to 28th; that means that 27 other teams passed him up. Something was missing; DL & staff noticed it and made no attempts to move up and grab him.

The same holds true for Kovi. I have complete trust in DL. For the first time in their history, the Kings have a true hockey administration and a minor league organization to support the team. This is how the Dodgers built their teams for years, a lesson the Angels learned as well. And look at the success it’s brought both teams.

Long story short, I wouldn’t put it past Anaheim signing Kovi, in fact I’ll be more surprised if they don’t. They have the cap space, certainly. But, as you put it so well, if the Ducks do sign Kovi, they will have no defense to support their offense. Like the Kings teams of old, the new Ducks will be able to score but they won’t be able to keep the pucks out of their own net.

[Reply]
kyle says:

June 27, 2010 at 4:35 pm

OR– We save $9.5 per year on not signing Kovi. Frolov stays at $3.8-3.9 per for two years, we use the remaining $5.6-5.7 million to grab another non-superstar forward, and get 2 for the price of one, with cap money available two years hence to lock up more of our current superkids.
Just speculatin’ since that’s all any of us can do until we can achieve a mind-meld with DL.

[Reply]
Chris P. Bacon Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 9:12 pm
@kyle,

Frolov made 4 million this year. Judging from the current market he’ll be wanting a raise of about 4.5-5.0

So let’s move on from Fro!

As for the non-superstar 5.6 range, that would be a good plan B.

[Reply]
GoKings09 Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 11:36 pm
@Chris P. Bacon,

Technically Fro did get $4 million last year, but its more relevant to look at his average cap hit salary that was only at $2.9 million, so a contract that averages around $4 million would actually be a raise over what Fro was just making.

[Reply]
Moondoggie Reply:
June 28th, 2010 at 11:49 am
@kyle, I like your math but I’m not certain resigning Fro is the answer. Still tho, he is a 20 goal scorer. I just don’t see him signing with anyone for more than 4mil a season. Of course I’ve been so wrong so many times when it comes to UFA’s, haven’t we all????

[Reply]
tellmeY says:

June 27, 2010 at 4:39 pm

I hear Kovi is not a good guy character wise. Do we really want him in the our locker room? I don’t play hockey but do play team sports and know that one bad guy in the room can be a nightmare. What if we get him and that is the case? What if the rumors are true that he is a bad Ruskie? Will all you guys be angry at management if in turn he is not performing?

[Reply]
Moondoggie Reply:
June 28th, 2010 at 11:51 am
@tellmeY, I’ve heard the same thing and this is something TM, DL & staff have really concentrated on, team chemistry. Again, at what cost does signing Kovi become ridiculous??

[Reply]
tellmeY says:

June 27, 2010 at 4:43 pm

And can anyone else tellmeY not one team when they went to the podium for their pick, congratulated the Blackhawks on their Stanley Cup Win? I thought it was strange as all the other drafts I’ve ever watched almost all the teams say a congrats to the winners of the cup….hmmmm?

[Reply]
GoKings09 Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 5:42 pm
@tellmeY,

I noticed that too and thought it was really odd. I kept waiting for someone to say it because usually they go up, say hi to their fans/draft parties, thank the host city, congratulate the Stanley Cup winner and then make the pick. It did seem like a lot of teams went up and were very brief before making the pick though so maybe that was it. I don’t know.

[Reply]
Cynic says:

June 27, 2010 at 6:16 pm

Even more reason to submit an offer sheet for Bobby Ryan.

If BR comes to the Kings @ 4.5-5MM/year for 4 years, he is a cheaper alternative than Kovy which gives us more flexibility over the long term. This would give the Ducks room to sign Kovy and be the albatross he could possibly be. No risk for us, ALL risk for the Ducks.

If Kovy comes to the Kings, He’s the last piece to the puzzle who’ll (Most likely) bring the 45-50 goals per season we need to get over the hump to the cup. I’ll pay the price and the players will as well with a bit lower salaries to accomodate. The Ducks can keep Bobby Ryan and use their cap space for D-men, which they desperately need even if Cam Fowler cracks the lineup with Visnovsky. The Ducks will be a 9-10 spot finisher next year unless they do some serious grabbing of top tier d-men after the 1st. No matter what, they still have 3 albatross contracts (Blake, Lupul, Viz) to deal with.

The one thing people forget with all this cap talk is the human factor. Top name players take less money to play with Detroit because they like to win. So what if they make 6 mil instead of 7 mil for a few seasons. If that helps sign a key piece to keep the dynasty intact? Winning is more important to MOST pro atheletes (At least the good ones anyway), than money. Kovy turned down 10Mil a year with the ATL because he wants to win a cup before he retires. If Kovy comes to LA (And I suspect he will), guys will help make room for him and Kovy will accept a little less once Deano gets to him and explains what is going on here with ‘The Plan’.

Stat guys HATE the intangibles.

[Reply]
DougS Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 7:10 pm
@Cynic,
The problem with most of the speculation about what Kovalchuk will or will not do (including yours) is the assumption that one knows what really motivates him. [/sarcasm on] With the possible exception of WWAMD [\sarcasm off] I don’t think any of us know him well enough to say for sure. Now, if you happen to be part of his entourage, I bow to your expertise. But otherwise….

Does he want to win a Cup more than anything else? I don’t know for sure, and neither do any of us. Is he just interested in the money because he’s greedy? Ditto. Is he he mostly interested in the money as a matter of pride because being the highest-paid whatever is a mark of achievement (I hear this said a lot about professional athletes)? Ditto.

Quisp, on the other hand, has made in this thread a valid conditional supposition, i.e., that if DL pays more than a certain amount for Kovalchuk’s services, it will be mathematically impossible to retain the King’s core group, assuming that it will take market value for equivalent players to re-sign them. Your assumption that everyone else will be willing to take lower-than-market salaries to play on a team that includes him is a mighty big ‘if.’ You’re essentially throwing your seeds to the wind and trusting that God will provide.

‘Stat guys’ may hate the intangibles, but you could just as well say that guys who believe in ‘intangibles’ do so because they won’t (or can’t) do the math, or prefer denial to demonstrable reality.

Bill James once said (in fact, he has probably said it a number of times) that ‘intangibles’ are basically a load of crap because precisely because they are intangible. That is, they cannot be measured or quantified. If a thing exists, if it matters at all, it will show up as long as you run the right numbers, because it can be measured.

[Reply]
Cynic Reply:
June 28th, 2010 at 12:36 am
@DougS,
You are right that it is all speculation since I’ve received no ‘gifts’ because I’m a dear and revered entourage member of Sir Ilya. I’m doing the same thing the rest of us here are doing (Including You, Quisp or anyone else): Trying to guess at what will happen with whatever facts have occured.

Quisp has thrown up some numbers. Have you checked their validity? If so, then you mostly have a lot of time on your hands. I don’t, but I’ve checked Q’s work before and he’s pretty on the ball. That being said, there are no numbers for character, grit, motive, etc. Numbers are only one piece to the puzzle. Making a case on numbers alone may be powerful, but it will always only be HALF of a case.

That being said, I’m not making any assumptions. Players in Detroit have taken less money to stay in Detroit. That is a fact. Holland lays out his plan and what he needs to do, what he can afford and then puts it on the player to decide if he can live with that or counteroffer. Sometimes they stay, sometimes they go. Why? Go ask them, but it’s pretty obvious if you ask my opinion. The question is: Can that happen here? With the character being built on this team, my magic 8-ball says: “Quite Possibly, Yes.” It is the ‘Human Factor’ and you won’t know the answer until the scenario is presented. Not a might big “If” if you’re Detroit. It sure is if you’re Atlanta though. We’re becoming more like Detroit than Atlanta I think.

(Lightheartedly) As for Bill James, who the @#$%^ is Bill James and why should I care? I can say something just as crafty in fewer words: “If a bear sh*ts in the woods, does it smell?” You can run numbers on this answer all day long and the best you’ll get is an estimate until you actually go there and breathe deep. See? Even a dumba$$ like me can be profound. LOL!

BTW, I have absolutely no problem trusting God to provide. I do it as much as I possibly can. Usually works out better when I do. Of course, that’s because I’m a dumba$$.

[Reply]
Bruce Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 8:18 pm
@Cynic,

Just questioning why you refer to Lubo’s contract as an albatross. Did you notice the improvement in the Ducks’ PP once they added his point shot to the mix? I believe he will be a solid contributor for them (45-50 point range). Still can’t believe the Oilers took Ryan Whitney ($6M for 3 more years) in exchange for Lubo ($5.6M for 3 more years) – the Ducks are actually saving money! Thanks for giving them more cap space, Oilers.

[Reply]
Cynic Reply:
June 28th, 2010 at 12:52 am
@Bruce,
Totally reasonable question. Here comes another intangible. Lubo is a solid player, no doubt. Just on the numbers alone, the Oilers are paying 400K a year more for a major upgrade in size and grit. He has had 59 & 40 point seasons in Pittsburgh so that is a potential upgrade, although not much. The Oil needed blueline size and the Ducks could handle a guy like Lubo on theirs. The Ducks had Niedermayer. He was a leader. Lubo is not, but now Lubo is suddenly their top blueliner. He’s not a leader. That’s not where he excels. Lubo is overpaid for his role that he is good at, especially for his size IMHO. Ryan Whitney isn’t much better, but he’s bigger & stronger than Lubo.

It’s all on Lubo, but I think his contract is an albatross for the return. If Lubo steps up and becomes a Niedermayer type leader with 45-50 points, it’ll be worth it, but I certainly don’t see it. Just an opinion though.

[Reply]
Quisp Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 8:46 pm
@Cynic,

The hockey world is not divided neatly into “stats guys” and “real hockey players.”

As for what you call “the human factor,” as far as I can tell from what you wrote, it amounts to players taking less money in order to keep a team together. Of course it’s possible that Kovalchuk will take less to sign with the Kings, because the Kings are a team on the rise, and then Doughty and Johnson, and Simmonds and Bernier, and Moller, and Loktionov, Voynov, Hickey, Schenn, Clifford, Muzzin, and whoever else, will all take less to stay on the Kings because Kovalchuk took less to play here and…

…meanwhile, back on planet earth…if the only way Kovalchuk makes sense is if everyone takes a pay cut, then it doesn’t make sense.

And if Dean Lombardi signs Kovalchuk and then turns around and explains to Doughty, Johnson et al that they have to take less in order to stay, then he…well…he’s not Lombardi, and he should be immediately fired. Because those players are not going to take less because Ilya Kovalchuk is only getting $7MM, and there will be a mass exodus, and Lombardi will be strung up by his toes.

Anyway, none of that counts as an “intangible.” Intangibles are things like “character” and “leadership,” “grit,” aka “sandpaper.” Whatever. Kovalchuk has never been highly regarded as a leader really. He’s a gifted sniper. Stats reflect this.

Also, I can’t help but notice that “leadership” and “character” are generally measured in these things called “wins.” And there aren’t any guys with extreme “grit” who are -32, because they’re all in the AHL.

[Reply]
GoKings09 Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 10:35 pm
@Quisp,

I don’t know a lot about Kovy’s leadership, but he was the captain of the Thrashers and just this year at the world championships he was the captain of Team Russia. He’s got to be a pretty good leader to become captain twice I would think.

[Reply]
Quisp Reply:
June 28th, 2010 at 12:58 am
@GoKings09,

i’m not knocking him as a leader. i’m just saying that’s not usually mentioned as his strong suit. he could be a great leader for all i know.

Cynic Reply:
June 28th, 2010 at 1:24 am
@Quisp,
I thought you’d take exception to my ‘Stat Guy’ comment. Just teasin’ ya. You know I got respect for the stats, but they have their place.

I disagree with your statement about Kovy not making sense, simply because we won’t keep all those guys. That is pretty much implied. If I get Kovy, I’ll trade some of those guys and get value somehow because they are so good. If I can get many of them to take less to stay because they want to win the cup, awesome. If not, as long as I have enough in place to win the cup or be good enough every year to compete for it, I’m fine. It’s on the players and it should be. Are any of those guys you mentioned ‘Core’ players? Yes, the first 4. They will be considered and taken care of. That’s Dean’s job to do so and he won’t pull the trigger on Kovy unless he can do that. Not sure if that will jive with your numbers or not, but DL has more numbers than all of us combined, so I’m thinking my assumption here is a safe one.

Agree with Go Kings 09 re: Kovy’s leadership abilities. I think you’re overlooking an intangible that most likely is the driving force behind his stats as a sniper.

Also, if David Beckham joins the North Korean soccer squad, does his leadership and character instantly make them win over Brazil, or Argentina, or Spain, etc. If not, then equally I’d have to say that the inability of the team around Beckham to perform to his level does not diminish his character or ability to lead. Therefore, it is pretty easy to deduce that “Wins”, used as a measurement for ‘Leadership’ & ‘Character’ in a TEAM sport is only accurate as an assessment for a team as a WHOLE and not an individual. Your assessment holds water in Fencing, MMA and any other one man sport, but not hockey.

….and, I was on the Planet Earth the entire time I wrote this.

[Reply]
Carol Vadnais Reply:
June 28th, 2010 at 10:44 am
@Quisp,

We are horrible 5 on 5 and that is why we need Kovy. If marleau got 6.9 I’m guessing 7.9 would be reasonable for Kovy, who could earn more in endorsements out in LA than he could in, say, St. Louis or his former Atlanta.

I also think the signing would help Kopitar, who could thrive in a second banana role.

As for Frolov, say goodbye. He sleepwalked through too many games.

I have to say I wish we could dump Smyth’s contract but, I fear, as Quick points out, he is untradable. He really tailed off last year (just like JJ took off) and we need someone else to step up. Wouldn’t be surprized to see Zeus step into the Kopitar line if we sign Kovy.

If Kovy accepts 7.5 to 8, I say we pull the trigger. We can trade Williams for nothing and with Frolov leaving, there you have Kovy.

I DO KNOW I WILL GET SEASON TICKETS WITH KOVY SIGNING — and I wonder if that will factor in Dean’s offer.

[Reply]
Moondoggie Reply:
June 28th, 2010 at 12:21 pm
@Quisp, “Meanwhile, back on Planet Earth…..” You are eloquent! *LMAO* And as for your -32 rating getting you a place in the AHL HOF…. I’m still chuckling! But again, you’re right. The funny thing here, good leadership and team chemistry does win championships, just look at the overachieving 1980 US Hockey Team. For those who have played team sports, the key word here is team. The most over used expression in sports today (and I hate it), there is no “I” in team. But there is a “me”. And if the focus is on “me” rather than “I” or what I can to do make a team a winner, they aren’t going to win many games, it’s that simple.

One last note, like you I have no idea if Kovi is a good leader or not. Yes, he was the captain of a mediocre Atlanta team who’s only notable achievement was beating LA 7-0 this year and that was it. And yes, he was captain of the Russian Olympic team. However, so very often as we have seen in sports, captain’s are often named not for their leadership but because they are the best players on a team; they’re named for their achievements, not for their leadership.

Last, I don’t recall the Russian team (who btw was a very good team) medaling in the Olympics. Did they even win a game in the quarters? Is that called “leadership”??

Quite possibly……

[Reply]
DLB Reply:
June 28th, 2010 at 9:32 am
@Cynic, I really doubt that Bobby Ryan could be pried away from the Ducks (esp. for 4-5 million). Murray said he’d match any offer sheet, and a 5-year $20-25 million offer is apparently already on the table. One can hope, though.

[Reply]
Cynic Reply:
June 28th, 2010 at 11:02 am
@DLB,
You’re probably right, but it costs nothing to try unless we get him. At the very least, if the Ducks match the offer sheet, we’ve now tied their hands up more in terms of trying to sign Kovy. Either way it goes, we win.

We could end up with Bobby Ryan or Kovy. I’m fine with either.

[Reply]
Moondoggie Reply:
June 28th, 2010 at 12:29 pm
@Cynic, I will agree with you on this one….I’d love to see BR with the Kings and I think that would be a MAJOR “in your face” coup for LA to snatch him from the Ducks. But, it would then open a bidding war with Anaheim, something we learned is very bad in the Dustin Penner debacle and something that GM’s in general are reluctant to do to each other. Still, the possibilities here are intriguing. Sure, I’d love to see Kovi sign with the Kings and I’ll be thrilled as hell if he does. But….it has to be at the right price, that’s all….and not at the risk of not being able to sign our young, up and coming stars.

DLB Reply:
June 28th, 2010 at 4:17 pm
“something that GM’s in general are reluctant to do to each other”

Yeah, there are other consequences for trying that, that’s for sure.
NotIn43 says:

June 27, 2010 at 10:03 pm

One thing that makes Kovalchuk possible, that no one wants to hear, is that Jack Johnson won’t be part of the future equation. I think that bridge has been burned, ala Cammmalleri. Why do you think Lombardi has stacked his deck so full with D-men? Sure, some are going to be trade fodder, but he’s looking to fill future holes too.

Alas, even though I think it’s possible, and Lombardi is thinking about a shot at Kovi, I don’t think he’s willing to pay the price that most winners are willing to pay. Sure, once in awhile a team can put a run together on a budget, but true winning organizations are willing to go that extra mile..

..but back to the Kovi detractors. Are you going to be happy when Deano loses out on Kovi,then is forced to pull the trigger on something like a Brown/Quick or Johnson trade for Carter or Hartnell? I’m sure most of you will be crying by then…

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Doc. Mark 1968 Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 11:44 pm
@NotIn43,

Your comments are interesting to me because you touched on something I was thinking about as well.

JJ looks to me sometimes like he is unhappy. It is difficult to tell through my TV and the internet though. I thought DL was trying to talk to him through the media last year with some of his comments.

If you look at league salaries for the upcomming year, the Kings could probably get much for him right now; this is assuming that he is indeed unhappy though. If he is not, he should be kept.

In unrelated news, did you see the low-ball qual-offer to Ladd? The ‘Hawks are scheming around big time!!! They got 4+ under the cap with the Buf deal and Huet’s 5 will not count against their cap when they put him in the minors.

The discussion here makes me wonder; is it worse to try to put a team together 10 under (like the poor Stars) or have to figure out how to shed 15 (like the ‘Hawks).

Mark my words; look out for the Blues. They need to re-sign some people as well but they are close to 30 under!!

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Moondoggie Reply:
June 28th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
@Doc. Mark 1968, Boy, now there is a dark horse out there….St Louis. They have the cap space, they are young and upcoming. They’ve got the money to go after Kovi, no doubt. But, would Kovi go to the Blues?? To me, that’s another long term rebuild project, the exact same thing he was trying to avoid in Atlanta…..just a thought.

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nykingfan says:

June 28, 2010 at 6:06 am

Ahhhh it’s good to be a Kings fan when we’re talking Kovy instead of Kyle Calder!

I trusty DL has a number that he’s willing to walk away from no matter what. If signing Kovy is going to break up the core of the team, or put the future signability of the core in doubt, I trust him to be smart and walk away. Kovy’s a talent, but he’s won as many cups as Kopi has.

I still think the most important thing is to sign another top D’man. That’s what will make the difference between being a true cup contender or an out in the 1st round. Instead of having Jones playing large minutes, I’d rather have Coburn or another top D guy taking those minutes.
Defense wins!

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Moondoggie Reply:
June 28th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
@nykingfan, Good to see ya again! And yep, dead on too. D does win championships. The Kings have some very good young guns in their organization, not particularly snipers like we’d all like to see in Kovi. But I think you’re right, DL has a set number; if Kovi goes over it DL won’t sacrifice the rest of the team to land him and instead will focus on a good Dman. The days of playing a guy like Jonsey long minutes in the playoffs are over for this team, they have to be for LA to advance past the 1st round.

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Kings Fan in Buffalo says:

June 28, 2010 at 9:13 am

Heres a list of options for Kovalchuck come July 1…

1. Kings
2. KHL in Russia
3. Re-Sign with NJ
4. Blues
5. Avalanche
6. Panthers

The Kings are the best option up there by far. He wants to win a cup so he won’t go to the KHL (especially in his prime) and NJ doesn’t have the cash so he won’t resign. The Blues, Avs, and Panthers aren’t real threats because they wouldn’t be cup contenders like the Kings would and Kovi wants to win. My only concern is what number will Kovalchuck wear. He can’t be 17 because Simmonds wears it. But who cares about numbers, I just wan’t Ilya Kovalchuck in LA.

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nykingfan Reply:
June 28th, 2010 at 9:41 am
@Kings Fan in Buffalo,
This sounds like the rational going on in NY why LeBron James will sign with the Knicks. People give their opinions why he should sign and then think he’s thinking the same way.
Who really knows whether he wants to win a cup or take the $$ and run. He wouldn’t be the first Russian to think along those lines.
He was traded to a cup contender last year and did less than nothing for the Devils. I’m not saying he didn’t care, but as a superstar you are expected to elevate the team you’re playing on. He didn’t do that. The Devils ended up a quick out in the playoffs. There’s no real clamoring for them to re-sign him..at least not from the fans or the local media. I can’t blame them. If the Kings would have traded for him and he didn’t produce, I don’t think I would want the team to spend the $$ on him either.

As far as who are cup contenders and who’s not…the Kings were never considered cup contenders before…I don’t think we’re viewed that much different than CO or St.Louis. We haven’t won anything recently either. We’re a really good up and coming team, like some others.
I think in the end it will come down to money..like it usually does.

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What #? says:

June 28, 2010 at 9:17 am

What number would Kovalchuck wear? Simmonds is the only #17 on this team. I traded for Kovi on my Kings season on NHL 10 and he is wearing #19.

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VanKingsFan Reply:
June 28th, 2010 at 9:35 am
@What #?, I am thinkin #71

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rick Reply:
June 28th, 2010 at 9:39 am
@VanKingsFan, If we can get this guy at the right price, he can wear whatever the heck he wants to as far as I am concerned.

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MIke says:

June 28, 2010 at 9:24 am

As a Kings fan I hope we miss out on Kovalchuck. He is a dynamic scorer but will eat up our valuable cap space and not make us much better.

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rick Reply:
June 28th, 2010 at 9:37 am
@MIke, A guy who scores 40-50 goals per year always makes your team better – especially when that is exactly what your team needs most.

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Mike Reply:
June 28th, 2010 at 11:19 am
@rick, DL has said he wants to add the right pieces. He likes character guys. Scoring like Kovalchuck did in Atlanta isn’t a true indication of what he will be like in LA. He didn’t do all that much in NJ where they employ a system not all that different then the Kings. People want Kovalchuck because he is a name. He doesn’t seem to be much of a character guy who knows if he will fit. It is the wrong move to get a guy that will cripple the franchise for a while because can score. We have guys coming up in the system that can score. Kovalchuck is a fineness guy. The Kings are not about Fineness.

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rick Reply:
June 28th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
@Mike, Let’s agree to disagree.

-J Reply:
June 28th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
@Mike,

I’m going to disagree pretty much with this in entirity-

-IK was a point per game player in ATL and a point per game player in NJ. yeah, he didn’t do much in NJ.

-N.J. and L.A. do not play very similar systems

-National teams don’t make someone their captain if they are a dou**-bag slacker (eg lack character)- seriously, if he whad been named captain of the canadian or american teams, there would be no one questioning his character.

-I disagree that one contract would cripple the franchise. Change things and require some guys to be moved, for sure, but there is no way all of the guys on the team are going to be here for ever, IK signed or not.

-there is no one in our system that even comes close at this point (or will in the next few years) to IK’s scoring ability.

-Heidi Androl = Fineness.

Mike Reply:
June 28th, 2010 at 2:47 pm
I guess what it all comes down to is money. If the Kings get Kovalchuck for the right amount of money then game on. The recent trend when it comes to signing free agents is that they need to be overpaid, or over yeared, meaning they need a ridiculously long deal. See Campbell, Hossa etc. Yes I know Chicago won a cup but they just had to trade away a big portion of that cup team (Big Buff) because of the cap. The question I have is if the Kings had Kovalchuck would they have beaten the Canucks in the first round? Maybe, he might have put them over the top. Maybe’s are scary scenarios though.

Playing dream scenario, losing Frolov and replacing him with Kovalchuck would be sweet. An upgrade for sure.

In Atlanta they didn’t have a lot of leaders or experience. He was the default leader. In LA the team and leadership is already established. The question is, would you swap Dustin Brown as Captain straight up for Kovalchuck. Not sure I would do that.

This team is a team made up of mostly North American skaters, playing a North American style. Can Kovalchuck fit in and be a part of that? Tough to say. Can he score goals, for sure.

When you get a player it’s more then just what skill does he bring. It’s a team game, how does he fit with the team and if you pay for him which the Kings will have to to get him, will it match the rest of the team. Because of the money and contract length signing a guy like Kovalchuck brings with it the risk that the Kings will not be able to sign all the talent that is coming up through the system.

In the end people need to remember as good as Kovalchuck is and as many goals he has scored, he has failed to put his previous teams over the top.

-J Reply:
June 28th, 2010 at 4:21 pm
@MIke,

-what you seem to be saying is that nothing is certain with Kovalchuk as if it is ever certain with any transaction. You’re right there is risk, but there is always risk.

-for chicago, honestly tell me that you don’t believe chicago is one of the cup favorites for next year even with the moves they’ve had to make.

-Perhaps IK may have been the default leader in ATL (but having followed ATL in the past, i’m pretty sure that’s not the case) but how about for team russia- no shortage of talent or experience there.

-there’s no need to swap DB for IK.

-the kings went after IK at the trade deadline if IRC, so i think the managament is pretty comfortable with how they think he’ll fit in.

-As for your last point, i’m sure i can list tons of star players that failed to put their original team over the top (eg win the cup)- Ray Borque comes to mind first though.

I know a lot of people here have reservations, but i don’t think there’s much concrete to most of them, even the cap concerns. I think there’s some fanboy over-valuing of our current and future players that is leading some to think they are “core” and inexpendable players. How many of the guys on this team do you really think are better than a guy who’s put 40+ goals/season for the last four seasons?

I think it’s a little overly cautious to worry about not being able to potentially sign clifford or hickey or voynov (or whoever not name doughty) 4,5,6 years down the line. Most of our young guys are either going to be on ELCs for the next couple of years and have several years left as RFA’s, meaning they won’t or can’t command elevated UFA contracts for years to come. Sure, Doughty should be locked up for years, but i think his contract will be much more reasonable (ie cap friendly) than I’ve seen suggested here.

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oldtimehockey says:

June 28, 2010 at 12:40 pm

With Ilya Kovalchuk , he is going to make the players around him that much better as in persay, Kopitar, Brown, Handzus, etc. If he is not putting the puck in the net, the opposing players will be focused on him when he is on the ice, therefore that will create the others around him to get open to put the puck in the net. We all know that the Kings do have the players to do just that. He has the speed, the hockey sense, the knack for the net, the vision to find his wingers-pointmen….all in all, he will be worth every penny the Kings sign for him. And yes, he is going to be in a Kings uniform

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