Here is what Dean Lombardi is offering tonight, as a statement through a team spokesperson: “We have been, and continue to, work, on a number of different scenarios. We do not anticipate any resolution tonight. if something changes, we will let you know.”
LATEST NEWS- Live Chat - Western Conference Semifinal: Game Four May 21, 2013
- Playoff Game Notes: Kings vs. Sharks: Game 4 May 21, 2013
- Jim Fox Live Chat: Tuesday 12PM PT May 21, 2013
- WATCH: May 20th Practice Interviews May 20, 2013
- Dustin Brown Named Finalist For Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award May 20, 2013
- Kings Playoff Quiz – 2013 May 19, 2013
- WATCH: LA vs SJS Game 3 - Game Previews May 18, 2013
- Live Chat - Western Conference Semifinal: Game Three May 18, 2013
- Playoff Game Notes: Kings vs. Sharks: Game 3 May 18, 2013
- The Royal Half Preview: Kings vs. Sharks: Game 3 May 18, 2013
RULES FOR BLOG COMMENTING
- No profanity, slurs or other offensive language. Replacing letters with symbols does not turn expletives into non-expletives.
- Personal attacks against other blog commenters, and/or blatant attempts to antagonize other commenters, are not tolerated. Respectful disagreement is encouraged. Posts that continually express the same singular opinion will be deleted.
- Comments that incite political, religious or similar debates will be deleted.
- Please do not discuss, or post links to, websites that illegally stream NHL games.
- Posting under multiple user names is not allowed. Do not type in all caps. All violations are subject to comment deletion and/or banning of commenters, per the discretion of the blog administrator.
SOCIAL MEDIA
LA Kings Insider LA Kings Official
Well at least he thinks there will be a resolution, right? That sounds like a good sign..
[Reply]
holly Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:39 pm
@tantrum4,
Well, yes.
Either we’ll get him or we won’t. It does have to end eventually.
[Reply]
tantrum4 Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:49 pm
@holly,
Ya but usually, a “resolution” is stated as a positive outcome of a situation. He could have just said, “it’ll be over one way or another” or something along those lines if he was thinking it isn’t looking good..
[Reply]
holly Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:55 pm
@tantrum4,
In this situation, especially following up with “if something changes” just says to me that both sides are sticking to their guns, in any scenarios being discussed. The fact that he seems to be referring to multiple scenarios also lends itself more to the idea that he’s simply suggesting that whatever is being worked on won’t be ending tonight.
Tmik Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:59 pm
@tantrum4,
No, A resolution is an end. It’s nither positive nor negative, just an ending. A Resolving a situation.
tantrum4 Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 7:15 pm
@tantrum4,
Well, to me, a resoultion has always been understood as finding a solution. Rarely have I ever heard anyone say “we came to a resoultion and the outcome is you’re fired.” It’s usually more like “We came to a resolution and decided to meet in the middle”…Just saying. I’m sure we’re all over analyzing his statement but what else would you expect in a situation like this??
quisp Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:59 pm
@holly, @tantrum4
Depends on what “it” is that is “resolved.” It sounds to me like he’s talking about different scenarios, e.g. a Kovalchuk scenario, a Gagne scenario, a Carter scenario, an Iginla scenario, etc..
I think Kovalchuk is trying to make the two old card sharps work against each other, and that’s not going to work. I say Kovalchuk, but I mean Grossman. Lou and Dean are not going to bid against each other.
If Lombardi makes another deal (for example, trading Stoll for Gagne), that’s whittling away at the cap room the Kings have for Kovalchuk. Lombardi will move on.
The question is, does Kovalchuk really have any reason to sign with the Devils, when Brodeur has only a couple of years left, most of their big players are old, and three or four years down the road it’s a f-ing rebuild?
And if he does want to stay in New Jersey, why didn’t he just sign with them when he had the chance, last month and the month before?
[Reply]
TVA333 Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 7:04 pm
@quisp, Well Said Quisp… As always!
BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 7:46 pm
@quisp, @TVA333
Don’t think Kovalchuk signed with the Devils because he had no leverage. The question now is, does he have the leverage now? Given the salary restrictions he’d have with NJ unless they swing a CHI-style dollar purge first (which NJ would be foolish to do unless they absolutely know Kovalchuk is coming their way FIRST), it makes NJ very unlikely to be a player. Yes, NJ could announce simultaneous trades, but then there would be traffic on that trade front and there doesn’t seem to be that traffic for NJ right now.
Kovalchuk just doesn’t hold many cards, right now. It makes no sense for the KHL teams to go public, because that just jacks up their costs; that means only Kovi himself (or his agent) could leak info of a pending KHL deal. The thing about bluffing is that the one bluffing must be ready to accept being called.
It is becoming with every passing day that Kovi values the KHL deal as leverage only. The guy holding all the cards in this game is DL, and it behooves DL to keep things as quiet as possible, save his preparations to go to plan B if Kovi doesn’t sign. It seems as though that trade talk traffic is actually out there.
Right now, Kovi is the one sweating. If DL calls his bluff and goes to plan B, his value drops 2-3 mil/year AND HE KNOWS THIS. Without the Kings Kovi can go to NJ for less than their cap right now or go to the KHL… Or, sign with the Islanders and take his chances that he hasn’t just recreated his ATL experiences.
Ball is in Kovi’s court, and the clock is ticking. He asked for 24-48 hours from the moment DL finished his offer. After that time period I’m convinced DL will go to plan B.
Folks–we’ll know this time tomorrow if Kovi blinks and his true intentions are out in the open. I seriously doubt if it will take longer.
Translation: You’ll know when you know and tell everyone on the blog to stop harassing you to ask us.
[Reply]
Rich Hammond Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:40 pm
@holly, Good one Holly…I enjoyed a laugh!
[Reply]
Chris P. Bacon Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:51 pm
@holly,
hey didnt you used to post on hfboards? get your arse back there!
[Reply]
holly Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:56 pm
@Chris P. Bacon,
I did, ages ago.
I’d always forget about it during the summer, though.
[Reply]
RJC76 Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 7:11 pm
@holly,
Well said!
[Reply]
Scenarios ? Trade ? Kovalchuk contract ? WHAT ? Can he list the scenarios ? lmao wow. -_-
[Reply]
brandyn Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:41 pm
Rich… can we know the question that you asked him.. ? because all we are going to do is speculate on whether this about Kovalchuk.. or Gagne. Or both. And inside our bodies, we will begin to rot.
[Reply]
holly Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:45 pm
@brandyn,
Likely that it’s along the lines of whether or not there is any news, any news at all. Which would cover any negotiations with individual players and negotiations with teams for trades. It’s unlikely that any of these scenarios will be announced by the team until after the fact, if at all.
[Reply]
Mike L Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:42 pm
@brandyn,
No he can’t lists what the scenarios are..
[Reply]
brandyn Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:45 pm
@Mike L,
Fereal.. but now i want to know if the word “scenario” refers to a trade, or the contract negotiations between Kovalchuk and the kings.
[Reply]
David Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 9:08 pm
@brandyn, Well considering he said scenarios, there is more than one thing going on.
Translation: The St. Louis Blues sign forward Ilya Kovalchuk. The Los Angeles Kings sign forwards Sean Pronger, and Peter Ferraro.
[Reply]
Scott Egebjerg Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:59 pm
@ Nyck
Please not again. Can we please just stop with all the stupid comments.
[Reply]
RJC76 Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 7:14 pm
@Scott Egebjerg,
It’s what all the armchair GM’s need to do bro. The same armchair GM’s that want DL to pull the trigger just for the sake of making the deal… even if it mortgages the future of the core. Pay it no mind.
[Reply]
Scott Egebjerg Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 8:48 pm
@RJC76,
I’m all for all the armchair GM’s and their comments. But how about some players that are still playing. I enjoy reading Rich’s blog and most of the comments of the fsns, and come to this site to get good information, not the stupid comments.
lebron who…?
[Reply]
Chris P. Bacon Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:59 pm
@variable,
OK maybe we have secretly signed Ilya Kovalchuk. But AEG wants to wait until Lebron James makes up hsi mind? For what I dunno.
Basketball sucks!
[Reply]
Rich… can we know the question that you asked him.. ? because all we are going to do is speculate on whether this about Kovalchuk.. or Gagne. Or both. And inside our bodies, we will begin to rot.
[Reply]
By him saying scenarios, it seems he’s unconfident. I’m starting to have a bad feeling this is gonna be yet another flubbing of a FA period for Dean, and we’re gonna have to swallow some consolation prizes at forward, again. At some point he’s gonna have to start getting things done during this time of year, Michael Handzus is a start, but it’s gonna take alot more than that to wash away the smell of the Dan Cloutiers, Valeri Bures, and Kyle Calders.
[Reply]
Anonymous Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:47 pm
@Nyck, You forgot Ladislav Nagy and Tom Preissing. How did those BIG free agent signings work out?
[Reply]
holly Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:48 pm
@Nyck,
Or he simply doesn’t want to end up with egg on his face on the off chance it doesn’t pan out.
So he’s playing his cards close, it could be good business sense.
[Reply]
Quisp Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 7:03 pm
@holly,
Don’t you think it’s more likely Kovalchuk is asking for $9-11MM and Lombardi will simply not play that game, so he’s moving on to Gagne, Carter, Briere, etc.?
[Reply]
RJC76 Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 7:16 pm
@Quisp,
Probably most likely…and I would do the same thing. Kovi could take that $9-11 mill to the KHL.
holly Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 7:21 pm
@Quisp,
I was just referring more to the idea that it’s unlikely that Lombardi (or any other GM) is going to come out and say exactly what he’s working on before it’s a done deal, at least with their name attached to it. In a sense, it’s a way to save face if things don’t pan out. If he comes out now and lists off what he’s working on and they fall through, everyone knows. If he leaves it vague, when summarizing the off season we’ll see statements like “We talked to x, y, and z and even began to negotiate with them, but in the end it just wasn’t the right move for the organization.”
I think he’s probably working on things across the spectrum, including things we haven’t thought of, and doing everything he can to create back up plans for his back up plans, hence the use of scenarios.
variable Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 8:02 pm
@holly,
i truly believe that all of the good gm’s in sports would choose never to use the media as a negotiating pulpit in order to leverage a deal….
i’m not saying that it doesn’t happen…nor am i saying that these tactics don’t work from time-to-time…
i just think that there’s no way any competent gm is going to leak anything pertinent or substantial to a media source when things hang in the balance as they appear to here…
so i agree with you when you say that dl is not going to divulge anything he’s working on in detail at any time…and not just in regards to kovy, gagne, etc…that’s how he’s handled free agency throughout his career…
[Reply]
holly Reply:
July 3rd, 2010 at 9:57 am
@variable,
Who said anything about using it as leverage? I’m talking about a good old fashioned pissing contest.
Gabby Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:58 pm
@Nyck,
Valeri Bure was a Dave Taylor signing.
[Reply]
…. oh man is there ever going to be one hell of a long weekend… Gasp… Sigh.
[Reply]
Based on this exciting news, and the total lack of activity in the free agent market, I’m sure my season ticket rep will be calling me about renewing my season tickets before the price goes up.
[Reply]
Slapshot Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 7:38 pm
@Slapshot, Get a different name please
[Reply]
John Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 11:31 pm
@Slapshot,
You’re cracking up – hold it together man! It’ll all be over soon
[Reply]
He’s probably getting massive requests for media and he’s busy trying to make deals.
He hasn’t done any yet so he’s probably one of the busiest of GM’s out there still.
[Reply]
And the plot thickens!
[Reply]
5thLine Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:50 pm
@JimmyShine,
Slow and sinking like the La Brea Tar Pits.
[Reply]
TVA333 Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:52 pm
@JimmyShine, HA! Dum.. Dum.. DUHHHHHH!
[Reply]
It seems like DL knows the only team his bidding against is well, the Kings.
St. Louis has come out and said they will not go after him, The Devils will only be able to sign him if they move some people or they he takes a pay cut.
Who else is even in the picture?
He will be a King, once they get years and avg salary worked out.
[Reply]
i would love to know how many cell phones dl carries with him at a time…
[Reply]
5thLine Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:56 pm
@variable,
Considering how “surprised” he is every year that the people he is targeting end up signing with other teams, I’m not sure he is familiar with this “new fangled” technology.
[Reply]
i fully trust in DL because of what he’s done over the last few years. im a lil confused as to what is going on but im still hopeful we’ll land someone good (hopefully great!!!!)
[Reply]
holly Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:57 pm
@king_stoner,
Welcome to the off season.
[Reply]
king_stoner Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 7:08 pm
@holly,
not my first… just wanting a top sniper for kopi to set up!!!
[Reply]
holly Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 7:22 pm
@king_stoner,
I was more referencing the idea that confusion is pretty much a permanent state of mind during the off season.
Otto Ped Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 7:02 pm
@king_stoner, I 2nd that statement. Over and over everyone gets hyped up for the 1st day of free agency and then bashes DL for what he does or doesnt do. Just sit back and wait to see what happens. What ever it is will hopefully be in the best interest of the team
[Reply]
I haven’t slept well the past few days, my stress levels are high and I’m losing my appetite.
Dean Lombardi,
you are killing us with this wait. Now, I fully understand this a probably the most important off-season you’ve encountered and you don’t want to screw it up, but can we wrap it up soon?
And please, I hope Rich Hammond stays at home this weekend, it would be torture for everyone to leave and make the fans to wait longer. We need updates!
[Reply]
I’m sure everyone here knows what “Scenario” means, if I was DL I wouldn’t put all my hopes on Kolvachuk, I’d also have a “scenario” of a back up plan to get someone else that we could use and he would be at least a 30-40 goal scorer. Maybe, I’ll move someone for someone else while everyone is watching what I’m doing with this hand. Let the man do what is best for the Kings and as someone has already stated, “It’s going to end one way or the other”. My personal opinion is, I don’t think we need to tie up $10Mil for him over a period of 10-12 years. We have some assets that are very tradable and still not hurt our core.
[Reply]
gralx Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 9:10 pm
@Old Time Hockey, Yes, we have very tradable parts. But, the beauty of the UFA signing is that you get to add to your team without giving up any of those tradable parts. The problem I have with us having done nothing over the last 36 hours is that this is a repeating pattern. It seems that the Kings (read DL) is so focused on getting the big fish (Hossa, Kovi) that they haven’t reached down into the water to grab a big keeper just sitting there for the taking. The FA period for the Kings has been all or nothing for several years. And guess what, it is still nothing, again. Quite frankly, if Kovi has DL this far over a barrell, I am not sure I would want him on the team. The great ones sometimes put some money back in the pot so that another piece can be signed. Wanna be on a great team? Be a great player AND a great teammate. I say pass at this point and salvage what you can. 10M cripples the team for years to come…
[Reply]
So you’re telling me there’s a chance.
[Reply]
Our Free Agent futility has spiralled downward ever since we tried to replace Luc Robitaille with Randy Robitaille.
[Reply]
Dean sounds like he needs a few stiff drinks.
[Reply]
5thLine Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 7:03 pm
@Steve McQueen,
Or….Dean sounds like he has had a few too many stiff drinks….
[Reply]
I do believe that DL is negotiating with Kovalchuk…and I’m damn proud to know that he hasn’t caved with some ridiculous $$$/term. Can you imagine if Glen Sather was our GM? Kovy would’ve gotten the max at 15 years, a stake in the team, and every fan’s firstborn child.
Stick to your guns, Deano!
[Reply]
What is Vladimir Tsyplakov doing now?
[Reply]
Chris P. Bacon Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 7:34 pm
@RoyalPain,
I’m convinced this is the year Pavel Rosa finally ends up on the big team and makes an impact.
[Reply]
RoyalPain Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 8:04 pm
@Chris P. Bacon,
The original Juraj Mikus.
[Reply]
I really want to see Kovalchuk signed, i dont want to see someone traded for another injury prone player. I do like Gagner but the risk is high, and would have been nicer to have a few years ago. I hope the focus is on Kovalchuk still, and they are just tweaking numbers. The longer that is put off its giving other teams the chance to clear up cap room. Im pretty sure Dean Lambardi wont say a thing until a contract is signed or a trade is finalized. Im not sure why any GM would tell the media stuff before its done.
[Reply]
DL is holding off on Kovi in hopes of stealing Jeff Halpern for 6 years, $48 million.
[Reply]
Howe 9 Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 7:17 pm
@Gerard,
Ha Ha, real funny. Stop with the unfunny jokes already.
[Reply]
Howe 9 Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 7:58 pm
@Gerard,
I checked my humor at the door. I have my depends all up in a bunch.
[Reply]
Chillax people. It it happens it happens. If it doesn’t it was for good reason. Just be patient.
[Reply]
5thLine Reply:
July 3rd, 2010 at 7:27 am
@Paul,
Here is why most fans find it hard to “chillax”. We have a well established history of not doing well with Free Agents. Take a look at last year’s admitted top targets as an example:
1) Hossa – signs with Chicago
2) Gaborik – signs with NYR
3) Knuble – signs with Washington
4) Havlat – signs with Minnesota
When went after each and ended up with none. That is only last year, go back in time and you will see the same pattern.
[Reply]
holly Reply:
July 3rd, 2010 at 9:59 am
@5thLine,
I’m not seeing how Kings fans foaming at the mouth with their panties in a bunch changes any of that…
[Reply]
5thLine Reply:
July 5th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
@holly,
Really? That’s your response…”panties in a bunch”. Two weak cliches and a “well what are your going to do”… Why did you even bother?
To my knowledge, and please correct if I am wrong because I am just thinking off the top of my head;
The only two teams to have done flat nothing since July 1 are the Kings and Blues.
As far as “watch my right hand while I do other business with the left;” we know that this is the norm today in the modern age of public discourse!!!
[Reply]
Dan H. Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 10:19 pm
@Doc. Mark 1968,
I don’t see Detroit on TSN’s list of transactions either
[Reply]
I still think we trade for Bobby Ryan and now maybe even Gagne. Or at least DL wants Kov to think that’s an option. Now that I think about it, trading Ryan and Gagne for a few draft choices and prospects sounds pretty good to me.
[Reply]
Mike L Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 7:27 pm
@UglyinLA,
I’m sorry but what makes you think Anaheim trades Ryan to the kings? If they have to trade him they will send him to the EAST. They’d be stupid to do that and were rivals why would they??
[Reply]
UglyinLA Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 8:00 pm
@Mike L,
With the departure of Pronger and Niedermayer, Anaheim is in a tailspin. I realize that common sense says Anaheim wouldnt deal Ryan to a division, but I remember that we once traded for a guy named Wayne from our Smythe division rivals Edmonton. Never say never.
[Reply]
Relax guys. The fact that there hasn’t been a press announcement saying that Kovalchuk and the Kings have parted ways means that Dean is still trying to work out something that fits within the cap and our
plans to offer long term deals to our core players. Perhaps they’re using the AEG method of offering him spokesperson bonuses outside the cap to bring the money up, much like they did with David Beckham and
the Galaxy. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me in the least to find out later that he takes 8 mil with a 2 mil contract to represent a vodka company. Then again, maybe we could speed this up if we through Heidi in to sweeten
the deal…….
[Reply]
Doc. Mark 1968 Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 7:22 pm
@Peter,
Bro, I think he is married with kids!
[Reply]
gary livingston Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 7:53 pm
@Doc. Mark 1968,
haha, yeah, I always laugh how some dudes on here look at Heidi like she is a top tier babe for them to objectify.
[Reply]
RoyalPain Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 8:06 pm
@gary livingston,
Your point being…?
The reality of this is,the longer this goes on.. The longer it’ll take to make other decisions and moves that the team needs to make… Cause if they sign other players the less they will have for Kovi.. And i know Kovi’s making a decision that will affect his family for at least 8-12 years.. But can’t he let the Kings pay him 7-8 mi the 1st 2-3 years then between 9-10 mill the middle years then decreased the latter part of his contract?
[Reply]
This may be the “Team” Kovy is waiting on… THE NEW YORK ISLANDERS. From Dreger moments ago
“Would Kovalchuk consider the Islanders? Why not? Rumblings the Isles may make a mega millions, mega year pitch. They need the contract”
Perhaps Ilya is waiting for their offer and deciding?
[Reply]
honestly…it bares worth repeating…
in hockey, the ability to spend over $8+ mil per year on one particular player doesn’t happen often mainly because there are no available players on the market that are worth it and only a few teams are truly able to afford such a decision/commitment at any given time…
you are asking a team with no such winning history to spend nearly 20% of it’s allotted payroll on one player in the hopes he will be different and produce a cup other than…well…than the greatest one of them all…(remember 99?)
again…there are no guarantees…with or without kovy…
we have other “boxes” to fill and it will take a concerted effort from both management and the kings current crop of skaters at all levels to make it happen…
kovy, in many ways, complicates dl’s “master plan”…in theory, it goes against all of his instincts..: putting all yr bets on a single jersey…
i, for one, am not surprised by how long of a process it has taken him…this is dl’s biggest suggested deal to date – this is the type of deal that will impact this team for…at minimum…at least 5 seasons…not to mention all the players that might have to be moved in lieu of this type of deal…
you bet dl is crossing every “t” and dotting every “i” before this whole thang gets done…if it ever does…
right now…
dl is looking long and hard off the edge of that diving board…and i can’t blame him for securing every last detail of this if his going to jump in the pool w/kovy…
he’s fighting it…his old-school ways and beliefs are staring him straight in the eye and daring him to go against how he’s built this team up til this point…
as RICH has pointed out several times…it’s a fascinating situation involving two fascinating individuals…and you can add a third person, in louie the lamb…
i love this…:)
[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 7:45 pm
@variable,
Yes var. Quite well put. I did see the LeBrun tweet (not to be confused with the Lebron tweet…. Lebron doesn’t have time to be messing about with tweets these days), but strangely, if it’s true that the Kings are still in the hunt, I’m oddly having more doubts about it. If it were Crosby who is A) a leader B) inspires his team mates and C) plays like a demon at both ends of the ice, then I’d be more inclined to do whatever it would take to seal the deal, but part of me still has subtle or not so subtle doubts about Kovi. Not questioning his talent, but I am questioning the intangibles and as you put it, putting your bets in a single jersey.
[Reply]
THE NEW YORK ISLANDERS are OFFICIALLY in on Kovalchuk.
It looks like its down to them and LA. Perhaps Kovy is waiting for their offer and deciding between the two
[Reply]
Cynic Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 7:32 pm
@Mike L,
http://twitter.com/Real_ESPNLeBrun
Reported that Garth Snow has officially announced he’s in on Kovy. Kovy wants to win though. Kovy didn’t want Atlanta’s money, why would he want the Islanders money?
[Reply]
variable Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 7:35 pm
@Mike L,
my twitter updates just exploded with this update…
i can only imagine what happens when kovy ACTUALLY signs…
WOWOW…!
that crazy wanger…
[Reply]
I doubt the Ducks would trade Ryan to us. If they do trade him, I would suspect they’d send him east so he doesn’t haunt them as much during the regular season.
[Reply]
What a great point that is.
I think it works both ways too.
I think, based on where he has been, Kovi also has “his old school ways and beliefs staring him straight in the eye.”
He will have to commit to something beyond himself; I can not help but think that this plays on his mind, having spent a couple of months under Lemares.
Yes there is the KHL, but if he does not act now, he will never have the chance to return (maybe when he is 35-40?). He will never be trusted again.
His NHL career will be over.
[Reply]
Doc. Mark 1968 Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 7:38 pm
@Variable
This post was in reply to Variable: not sure why it didn’t post that way.
[Reply]
variable Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 8:22 pm
@Doc. Mark 1968,
excellent take on kovy’s perspective/purview…
i agree…
[Reply]
Obviously NJ fans totally disagree with Quisp as when I talk to them about kovy signing there and how long can they be a contender one said they will ALWAYS be a contender no matter what
[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 7:47 pm
@Mike L,
You were expecting______________ ?
[Reply]
Mike L Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 7:51 pm
@number 6,
At least be a little bit realistic
LOL
[Reply]
Off topic for a sec, but it is just sad that on my drive home from work I can not find one sports radio station that mentions hockey let alone any coverage of the Kings.
[Reply]
Dan H. Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 10:26 pm
@Slapshot,
hah! I was on my way home from work last night and called a friend to ask since I don’t listen to sports talk radio. I asked him who would cover hockey on free agent day. He said nobody but Ferrall on Sirius.
[Reply]
Rumor NYI have offered or are about to offer Kovy 10M for 10 years from Darren Dreger.
Good luck with that NYI enjoy Kovalchuk
[Reply]
Slapshot Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 7:58 pm
@Mike L, If that is what it takes, they can have him IMO.
[Reply]
Aaron Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 8:09 pm
@Mike L,
This story takes another very interesting turn. I can’t imagine Kovalchuk is seriously going to consider NYI based on what he reportedly turned down from Atlanta.
I still think he wants to be in LA, but is trying to get the Kings to up their offer.
Very interesting regardless of how the “resolution” turns out. Hopefully its soon.
[Reply]
After mulling over and analyzing days 1 and 2 of the free agent frenzy I like where the Kings sit with respect to other Western Conference teams. Very few players in our system have left the team as compared to other teams in the conference. St. Louis has made some interesting moves and look poised to place a very good product on the ice this year with their signings. They could very well be contenders. Phoenix lost Lombardi and Machalek; they’re cash strapped and setting themselves up to place the same team on the ice next season. Dallas is still rebuilding and trying to find a new identity with Turco and Modano gone. San Jose is San Jose and will try to find their mojo again after a relatively successful playoff run. I can’t figure out the Calgary signings. Wasn’t Jokinen an LA King draft pick last decade?
We traded him and got who in return? The Red Wings have been very quiet as well. Holland is the best G.M. in hockey bar none but with parity in the conference the bar has been set higher and I feel the Kings, irrespective of what moves they do or do not make, will contend next year for the cup.
Lombardi is no dummy. He built the current San Jose team from the draft and signings like he is doing with the Kings. We’ve seen the success of the Sharks, albeit in the regular season. I’m not here to toot their horn but the Kings identity has been established and the confidence the ownership and management are showing in this team and its core is very comforting.
[Reply]
RoyalPain Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 8:12 pm
@Bonvivant1,
A guy named Ziggy Palffy, I believe.
[Reply]
SIGN HIM ALREADY!!
[Reply]
Again everyone, SLOW DOWN and think about things carefully…
Didn’t this entire situation begin in ATL? Didn’t Kovi have the chance to sign an insane contract and reject that off-hand? Do you really think Kovi would go willingly to a team that didn’t even make the playoffs last year?
I’d bet my mortgage that this is the last gasp of Kovi’s agent, stirring the pot with his connections in the press to imply there is another bidder against the Kings. The Devils simply do not work in that regard because they don’t have room for his extravagant contract off the bat.
As I said above, Kovi’s on the clock, and it runs out in the morning. Both DL and Kovi know this. Kovi is the one sweating right now. I can feel it; I’m John Parker and I smell Red-neck ‘Troid! Kovi’s worrying right now about his own GI Joe with the Kung Fu grip for Christmas by 2020, getting sweaty that he might go through right through his career without the thing that kid-boys Kane and Toews have already won, a Stanley Cup ring.
Chill, folks.
The answer ain’t NYI, unless Kovi doesn’t mind another Atlanta-style Death March…
[Reply]
variable Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 8:06 pm
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy,
kovy is on the clock…
but…if it’s a chess clock, then it could be either louie, dl’s or snow’s turn…and i tend to think that negotiations involve a chess clock…
but, buddy, ya’ never really know until you know, y’know…?
what’s the expression…: we don’t know what we don’t know…:)
[Reply]
Talk about making us earn Kovalchuk lol this is a long process. Don’t worry guys he won’t sign there their building is gross and old and they are worse than ATL as far as fans and skill.
[Reply]
hextall vs. snow….
two ex-teammates still fighting it out…
you gotta love this…!
[Reply]
Earlier today the Knicks met with Bosh and Wade, or maybe it was Wade meets with the Bulls and then someone meets with another team because…. well it depends.
Hey, cut me some slack, it’s late here on the east coast and all this IK stuff has made me tired and a bit giddy, so thought I’d change the MO. Hey, why not.
[Reply]
Gagne is garbage, he is one concusion away from not playing anymore. This is going to be stupid if we trade Brown, Quick, Bernier, Simmons (any of the two) for Gagne. Why hasn’t philly signed a FA goalie yet???
[Reply]
I’m with you on Gagne and the concussion thing. It’s a broken record with these injury-prone players and the King’s fixation with them. Concussion baggage weighs too much. Sign Kovi and trade for Savard. And hurry up because my patience is running low. LOL
[Reply]
If it’s 10 years $100 million that he needs let the Islanders have him. He would screw with our cap in coming years and who knows if he’ll still be a bigtime player towards the end of that ten years. If we can get him for $8 million a year for say seven years then I can see it.
[Reply]
This Kovalchuk talk is interesting and all, but likely the salary or the term will be ridiculous… but don’t the Kings really need a defensemen? Yes they might have 4 great prospects. Which means that they have 4 guys who aren’t ready to compete next year. The Kings could not hold leads against Vancouver which cost them the series. And with O’Donnell heading out, don’t they really need a D-man? Yes the goaltending was soft, but going with Quick and Bernier is the best plan, not wasting money on an old goalie… so isn’t having another D-man essential if they want to go beyond the first round? Kovalchuk could offset a weak D (it is paper thin, don’t let the top 4 fool you, they really don’t have anything dependable after that, then add an injury in and you are in big trouble) but if they DON’T get him.. and these D-men keep getting signed up.. are they going to have nothing good going forward? I think Hamhuis would have been a nice fit, but too late now. Yes, Lombardi has been a FAILURE with FA thus far. NO question there. Also, his trades have been at best average, his drafting.. well not so hot or has not paid off yet. Why do you all think he is genius again??? Can’t remember.
[Reply]
DL is in a “damned if I do, damned if I don’t situation. Just on this blog alone, he signs Kovi, at least 40% will say he’s sold the future. He doesn’t and another part thinks he’s an idiot.
He signs or don’t sign each blogger’s pet player and, well, you know the routine.
Dean and his staff have ALL the data on all those available and it’s just good business sense to keep silent about what is going on in your corporation. Why do you think corporations go to great lengths to protect their corporate strategies?
In the end DL will make the best decision that, in his opinion, is the best decision, based on what is best for the organization with what is within his control. (How’s that for a sentence?)
Look, the Kings and I have been around seemingly for ever, so when the season starts I will be rooting for whomever we put on the ice, with whomever TM chooses to play, and hope they kick butt. Nothing anyone could say here will change who DL gets, gives, or ignores.
I will say though, those that suggest getting rid of Zeus must be drinking their bath water.
[Reply]
What I really like about the Kings and Kovalchuk is that he will mentor some of the Kings’ players. Can you imagine if Kopitar became Kovalchuk? It is not a stretch. They are the same size, and Kopitar just needs to keep conditioning to build that elite skill.
Allison had a lot to do with Frolov’s abilities.
Did I just make that up? Yes.
[Reply]
Quick question, optimistically kov comes to LA, who wears the number 17? Simmonds or Kovy?
[Reply]
Sydor25 Reply:
July 3rd, 2010 at 3:26 pm
@Michael_DD8,
Didn’t you hear? He’s being traded to Toronto or Philly or Boston, hell, I don’t know anymore, but he’s gone.
[Reply]
Wondering?? Now that Ivanans is gone, and they have a couple of guys that can drop the gloves in the farm, who is going to step it up when needed against the heavyweights on the other NHL teams when they throw around their muscle out on the ice? Gonna be interesting to see. Even if they don’t land Kovi, they still need muscle to protect Kopitar and the others
[Reply]
Since we don’t know anything for sure re: Kovi and other possible trades, here’s my guess:
1. DL must feel we can still get Kovi for two reasons
a. no other team out there aside the Kings and Devils that meet the quality team criteria
b. allowed the first, and top crop, of FA dmen to go by (although upsetting as a kings fan)
2. Flip Stoll. Belanger would probably be cheaper and at this point, they would both be slotted as the third line center. Belanger is younger (i’m pretty sure about this) and does the same thing Stoll does as the 3rd line center – takes face-offs. If the Gagne trade rumors are true, flip Stoll for Gagne and then pickup Belanger in the open market.
3. Back to Kovi – DL should put a clock on the offer. The FA market is getting thinner and thinner. At least Lombardi (Coyotes) is still out there.
So in short, pick up Lombardi and Belanger via FA and trade for Gagne by flipping Stoll. As for a top 4dman, we’ve missed the boat on the FA market. Only a trade will make that work now.
I guess the above is plan D according to Godzilla.
[Reply]
As a Flyers fan stopping by to see what Kings fans are saying about Gagne rumours, let be the first to assure you that we want nothing to do with Stoll.
[Reply]
Michael_DD8 Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 1:40 pm
@Sedsey, stoll is a stud to be honest. Great in face offs, has a great quick shot, scrappy and always play’s hard. I would really love to keep stoll. He flys under the radar as far as his skill points but he is huge to this team.
[Reply]