No Kovalchuk? « LA Kings Insider

No Kovalchuk?

Posted by Rich Hammond on 4 July 2010, 3:14 pm

The L.A. Times has reported that the Kings are no longer in the running for Ilya Kovalchuk. I’m trying to get word of that on my own, as well as confirmation that the Kings will not make any further offers to Kovalchuk’s agent in the coming days. Assuming they won’t, be prepared for trade talks of those along the lines of Philadelphia’s Simon Gagne…

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142 Comments

brandyn says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:15 pm

Love you rich <3 (no homo)

[Reply]
Mike R says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:15 pm

not good. unless kovy wanted a max deal…

[Reply]
puckbob Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 6:31 pm
@Mike R, In my book Kovalchuk has officialy become a mercanary, loyal only to the dollar. Don’t want him no mo.

[Reply]
brandyn says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:17 pm

Get Semin and Gagne! that would be good

[Reply]
Kingsfanone says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:17 pm

DL always said he wouldn’t get in a bidding war. But did it cost us a good d man? Maybe its all a ploy?

[Reply]
Kevin says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:18 pm

I used to LOVE Gagne… but missing 82 games in 3 years… I do not want.

[Reply]
Chris P. Bacon says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:18 pm

Yeah Simon Gagne is a likely target now. That contract is only for 1 year, so will it come with an extension? Thats risky considering DL didnt want to commit to Gaborik.

[Reply]
McDonalds says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:18 pm

so that’s it…

Well, he must be asking for a ridiculous amount of money then.

Now DL’s got a difficult task ahead of him. Signing Kovalchuk would’ve been a lot easier than now going out and trading for people.

Do we take another look at Frolov again? Case right now we have Smyth…and Richardson, who is great, but not second line material.

I’m a worried, but confident that DL will get something done

[Reply]
Dave says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:19 pm

I just hope any trade gets completed soon so we avoid a Jonestown like incident among Kings fans.

[Reply]
NOW IMPRESSED Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 4:47 pm
@Dave, HAHAHAHAHAHA! LOL LOL!!
It can also happen if just any trade is made. Like trading DD.

[Reply]
Steve S. says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:19 pm

Well, Dean probably did what is in the best interest of the team so we’ll have to move on.

I would be shocked if he trades for Gagne, as he will only be Kings’ property for one year, then he can walk. Why would he do that?

[Reply]
Quisp Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 11:44 pm
@Steve S.,

Williams for Gagne. Before people say that’s a joke (because obviously Williams is not as good as Gagne), don’t forget that the real asset Lombardi is trading is cap space. They need it, we have it. Williams for Gagne. That’s a win-win.

[Reply]
kings4queens Reply:
July 5th, 2010 at 12:09 am
@Quisp,

I don’t quite get how that would free up that much space for Philly. Wouldn’t they rather get someone cheap like Moller or Parse?

[Reply]
jjosh61 says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:23 pm

Lets get a offer sheet to Bobby Ryan!!!!

[Reply]
raunq12 Reply:
July 5th, 2010 at 11:51 am
@jjosh61,
I Agree

[Reply]
Blake says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:23 pm

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[Reply]
Blake says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:25 pm

think of how many points kopitar would hvae had next year with kovalchuck, `100 plus, we needs a sniper and kovalchuck was it!

[Reply]
Quisp Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 11:51 pm
@Blake,

Kovalchuk is not the only sniper in the world.

[Reply]
Matt George says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:26 pm

i feel like jesus right before he died on the cross.

at least it’s over

[Reply]
joe Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 4:14 pm
@Matt George,

That’s not funny, YOU NO IDEA

[Reply]
Old Time Hockey Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 4:29 pm
@joe, I totally concur 1000% with you Joe.

[Reply]
Blake says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:26 pm

if we get lecavalier that would be dumb we need a winger his stats droped and we would have 2 number 1 centers

[Reply]
Beast88 says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:26 pm

Seriously, re-sign Frolov for crying out loud…how is he less consistent than all these injury cases we keep recycling? I still think Fro was coached into a bad season…

[Reply]
Remember Kudelski says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:26 pm

In DL we trust. I am sure we will be good. Kovy would have hurt us cap~wise for years.

[Reply]
Rene says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:26 pm

I am so happy this is over! Glad to see that we have let a superstar player slip thru our hands 2 times now. I hope the Kings know what they are doing. We haven’t developed a goal scorer in how many years…It blows my mind that we are going to trade for Simon Gagne because we couldn’t get Kovalchuk when he wanted to come here. This is disgusting and I hope they have a better backup plan than Simon Gagne. Can’t this club stay away from concussion plagued players. I guess the reports are true about Kaberle. That’s going to be awesome also! At least I’ll save some money on the tickets I would have bought this year. Who needs an electrifying player? I am soooo pissed. What a joke!

[Reply]
Lanny McDonald's 'Stache Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 3:28 pm
@Rene,

You do not understand the nature of the salary cap.

[Reply]
DellaNooch Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 3:36 pm
@Rene, if Kovy wanted to be here, he would be here, obviously he wants the money more. It’s cool, we’ve gotten better by developing within, we can keep doing that and some team can take the $10 million salary cap hit for 40 goals.

[Reply]
Darrell Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
@DellaNooch, Even if it’s the Ducks?

[Reply]
sammuch Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 4:03 pm
@DellaNooch,

I agree no need to pay him 10 mil.

[Reply]
NOW IMPRESSED Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 4:51 pm
@Rene, If Kovi is asking for 10 mil per year, that comes to $100,000 for every goal or assist. No way is that worth it. The guy is a freakin idiot

[Reply]
luc20rules Reply:
July 6th, 2010 at 5:38 pm
@Rene, Slow down a bit. DL has built the Kings to be 1 player away with a system loaded with prospects. We were hurt by length injuries to Williams and Smith last year and the prospects did a good enough job to keep us well in the hunt for home ice in the first round. It was when Smith ran out of gas and Williams came back, but was out of sync, and Quick fatigued from too many games/first born baby that the Kings slumped. We still made the playoffs. So lets break it down. We are minus
OD ok big loss solid D man with pk value, Halpren & Ivanans no biggy, Modin he helped but was only with us 15 games and we may still sign him, Frolov worst year of his career and we could resign him. Obviously no body is kicking down the door for the any of those 3.
Pluses even if we do nothing in UFA or trades we bring in Bernier, Schenn, Clifford/Moller/Kozun, Johan Fransson(replacing Jones), Westgarth, and Drewiske/Muzzin/Hickey/Desauliers/Harold the influx of prospects will probably give us more than what we will be losing. We can evaluate what are weakness is and make a trade during the season. For all we know Clifford or Schenn will be 20+ goal guys, and Fransson who has been spectacular in the Swedish Elite League will make a smooth transition to the NHL. We could be much better than last year without doing anything big. I fact, I believe if we have JJ continue to improve and have a 4th D man step up and play 18-20 solid minutes a game Greene/Fransson steps up or UFA/Trade we will be better than last year. Also look around the Division and look at whats going on. SJ, Phx, Ana, Dal all have gotten weaker. Why blow things up when we can be better or in the same position next year and get one of the great UFAs next year which includes Semin, Thorton, Richards, etc see link http://www.nhlnumbers.com/freeagents.php?team=none&pos=none&summer=2011&status=ufa&type=none

[Reply]
Kevin says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:26 pm

@Mike R,
I forget where, but I heard that rumor before. Stevie Y cant build the lightning with that contract handcuffing them.

[Reply]
waxieman says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:27 pm

Let’s be glad we have DL, he knows what he is doing. This is the longest we have ever stayed on course and it will pay off in the end.

[Reply]
Lanny McDonald's 'Stache says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:27 pm

It’s becoming apparent where Kovalchuk’s motivations lie – and if so, he’s probably not the best fit for this Kings team. If DL couldn’t get Kovalchuk to accept our millions of dollars, it’s probably for the best that he doesn’t play here.

Also, negotiating with Kovy probably kept us from overpaying for a middling D-man.

The only concern now is, how do we upgrade our team from last year without making desperation moves.

[Reply]
Josh says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:28 pm

If DL trades for Gagne, he is officially the cheapest GM ever….

Hes the person who only shops at the goodwill to save money….

Gagne is a crazy injury liability….SO of course he wont cost as much….Lombardi loves injured players because they cost less…

Justin Williams
Smyth….

Its always the same….and guess what? Both were out for huge chunks last year…..

He seriously better have a good reason for skipping out on Kovulchuk….he better had been asking for 10 million a year because if i find out that DL wouldnt go over 7.5 million, i might boycott him

[Reply]
Kevin Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
@Josh,
I’m sure you boycotting him will break his heart.

[Reply]
josh Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 3:35 pm
@Kevin,

oh and….do me a favor….the point of saying that is?

If your a kings fan you would share my frustration not make a smart @ss remark

[Reply]
Bickleton Wigglesworth III Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 5:13 pm
@josh,
nope, i Kevin is right.

Fact of the matter is we have no idea what’s going on it Lombardi’s head or Kovalchuk’s heart, what’s said in negations and what contracts are offered. The exception of Rich we are just a bunch of passionate fans fumbling around on the internet. As such I sincerely doubt Lombard is concerned about your boycott because he knows if the team wins you and i and everyone else will watch, buy tickets, buy jerseys and everything else. Believe it or not he’s trying to build a winner and has significantly more knowledge, experience and tools to make that happen than any of us. Let the guy do his job. The team has improved every year for the last four, there’s no reason to believe that trend won’t continue.

And for what it’s worth I think Smyth was a great pick up last year. Just what this team needed. I believe Smyth was the single greatest contributor to Kopitar’s early success last season and didn’t cost the team much. It was a smart (and frugal) move.

Williams… not so much. You win some, you loose some.

DellaNooch Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
@Josh, Yashin, Dipetro, Lecavelier, Campbell, Huet, Redden, Hossa (to an extent), Savard (to an extent), Souray, Finger, Gomez, Roziel, Havlat, Thomas, Drury, Briere…the list of free agents that were overpaid and now their contracts hamstring their teams.

I’m confident DL made a fair offer and used the lack of competitive teams with cap space as leverage. Kovy’s camp probably doesn’t like that and have stalled. At some point DL has to say take the offer or we need to go in another direction (trades). Other teams are ready to pull the trigger on trades, so it’s go time.

[Reply]
josh Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 4:03 pm
@DellaNooch, i agree with you….but now reports are coming out that the kings are pursuing Vinny L….

That would create chaos if we get him….with the crazy contract he has??

hes paid 10 million for like the next 6 years….

im praying we dont trade for him or gagne

[Reply]
Miller29 Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 4:05 pm
@Josh,

You took the words right out of my mouth. What a disappointment. Lets get Gagne with concussion and foot problems, or Lecalvier and his gigantic contract/subpar performance. Nobody decent signs here because we’re too cheap and you wait and see when our contracts for our “homegrown” players come up they’ll jump ship too. Why stay here at triage central?

[Reply]
jayhay says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:31 pm

JEFF CARTER!!!!

[Reply]
HipCheck Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
@jayhay, I don’t think Jeff Carter is a good fit. He sounds like a party boy.

[Reply]
onetimer says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:32 pm

I blame Kovalchuk, and no one else.

NO ONE else.

[Reply]
Dave says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:32 pm

fail

[Reply]
Telos says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:33 pm

Helene Elliot isn’t exactly the “reliable” source I am looking for on this news. I will wait until it is reported by something more reliable.

[Reply]
josh Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 3:40 pm
@Telos,

shes the best we got right now and i do believe that she was told that….

However, DL has been known the blatantly lie about where things stand….so who knows….all i know is that he better have legitimately does everything he could to get him….

if Kovy wouldnt budge on 9.5 -10 million, then i suppose DL had no choice but to stop pursuing him

[Reply]
Quisp Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 11:59 pm
@josh,

Look. You know what the Lombardi offer was. It’s somewhere in the ballpark of $7-8MM cap hit over probably more than five and as many as ten years. Any more than that would be foolhardy given the contracts he has to deal with for 2011. And that’s a fact. It also appears to be a fact that Kovalchuk is seeking $10MM/yr for something like 10 years.

So it’s a pass. The end.

Your anger that the world isn’t some other world is understandable, but misplaced. Since we are not in that other world. You know, the one where Kovalchuk would rather play for a non-playoff team if he can make $2-3MM more per year.

[Reply]
Quisp Reply:
July 5th, 2010 at 12:00 am
@Quisp (me)

Wait. That IS our world. I meant to say, we don’t live in a world where winning is more important than money.
kingfish says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:34 pm

just saw this while reading the times site. F him, if he goes to the isles hes an idiot, we dont need that kind of stupidity anyway.
Lets go get 2 descent forwards and save money, we’ll be a deeper team for it.

[Reply]
Matt George Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 3:36 pm
@kingfish,

Yeah I think I’m with you on this.

2 guys at 4 mill each would help us do some damage.

And if he goes to the Islanders? wow … what a laugh that would be.

[Reply]
renokingsFan Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 3:45 pm
@Matt George,
I here Naggy and Preissing are available

[Reply]
kingfish Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
@Matt George,
exactly we can make up the 40 goals with 2 guys. If he goes to the isles, hes a selfish money grubbing dick. If he ends up on the Flyers then we lost out to the better team, cant blame him for signing there. My hope is he signs a big contract with NJ then maybe we could pry Parise from Lou as they will need to do something before the start of the season to get under the cap.

[Reply]
Shawn says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:35 pm

You all really think it is over? There aren’t many suitors out there for Kovi. NJ is almost at the cap and if he wants to miss out on the post season, I suppos Kovi can go to the Islanders. LA is such a fit for Kovi. let’s see what happens.

[Reply]
BH says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:36 pm

DL should be FIRED

[Reply]
jjosh61 says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:36 pm

Kovalchuk = the next Yashin

[Reply]
Rene says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:36 pm

Because it makes sense to trade for Gagne or Lecavalier. The Kings are better off not doing anything now. These 2 are not upgrades just liabilities. If either one of those guys scores 40 or more goals, then I will eat my words. Put Gagne on a line with J. Willie and maybe we can talk Lindros out of retirement.

[Reply]
Matt George Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
@Rene,

I don’t think the vinny thing is gonna happen either.

Yzerman would look like a total douche in the media and to his fans if he traded Vinny after publicly stating that Vinny is part of Tampa’s future.

[Reply]
yoyoyo says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:37 pm

1 unreliable source and everyone is throwing a BF…

kovy is still on our radar don’t give up

[Reply]
Luke M Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 3:44 pm
@yoyoyo,

Helene Elliott isn’t exactly Eklund. I wouldn’t call her unreliable.

[Reply]
Quisp Reply:
July 5th, 2010 at 12:02 am
@Luke M,

She’s biased. I would not expect her to lie. I do expect her to distort to suit her prejudices.

[Reply]
dutch2411 says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:38 pm

Well I am happy if it thru DL, because you worked hard to breng us good team in 2009-2010. If you give Kov that kind of money, what is going too happen too our young ones. I am an former season ticket holder. I saw the first game when the kings played in the forum. DL again do not give Kov that big money. Spent it on the younger players in the organization. Dutch

[Reply]
Dave says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:38 pm

If this is true then DL needs to go. Year in and year out he talks about making in a big FA signing. He also says that AEG gives him unlimited resources and money to do what he wants to do. If he can’t get a 40 goal scorer and a guy that can push this team over the top then he needs to go. Great players get paid like great players. Doughty will be paid accordingly, Kopi has a decent check coming, and yet we continue to pick up Philly burn outs to close up gaps.

[Reply]
David Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
@Dave, You don’t even know what Dean offered. Dean could have offered Kovi what he is really worth, which is not 10 a year, and Kovi declined. Who knows.

[Reply]
Kinger Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 3:43 pm
@Dave,

Lol
DL has to go?
He brought in players
oh i forgot that kings made the playoffs. Just because he doesnt sign kovalchuk means that he should be fired? When did he say he will make a big FA signing?

[Reply]
Davw Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 4:02 pm
@Kinger, I guess you never attend those GM meetings or listen to the conference calls where he tells Kings fans he will make a big splash when the opportunity comes.

[Reply]
kingfish Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
@Davw,
Hey everybody wants DL to make a splash just not the kind of splash that happens when a 10mil x 10 year contract hits the toilet.
ka-clunk….
Michael_DD8 says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:41 pm

Kovi is the guy to blame if anything. His asking price is ridic, and DL is not gonna jepordaize what we ALREADY have then what we could have. I want to make sure we sign dewey and jack onto a contract. Gagne isnt a bad bet after all, what he did in those playoffs were great, and he will come out jumping next season. (he stated he felt better then ever in those playoffs)

[Reply]
Ersberg says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:41 pm

Good.

Now, get Gagne for LW, then sign Wellwood for 2nd line center. Trade for a d-man, and let the kids do the rest.

Good to go.

[Reply]
Traded for a Pick Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 4:05 pm
@Ersberg,

I donno if I want to deal with another injury plagued aging winger while giving up depth.

[Reply]
Mark1967 says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:43 pm

I will wait till I hear more about the kovy debacle and only say that I don’t want a player like Gagne who has to be dumped for salary purposes by Philly…. Remember Jeremy Roenick? Philly is in a jam, we have helped them out too many times with not much in return.. I don’t want to give a top prospect and more for a one year rental player.. Gagne has heart, grit, and plays hard but he has injury problems pure and simple! I want a player who will be with this team as it proceeds to be a Stanley Cup contender for the next 5-10 years!

[Reply]
B says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:47 pm

For those people who are saying that Elliott is not a reliable source. She has an actual quote from Lombardi. Are you suggesting she made up the quote, a career killing action.

[Reply]
Mel says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:48 pm

Well, those of us who live in the Valley can chuck the Ilyawood tee shirts and instead start printing the Gagne With A Spoon signs.

[Reply]
kingfish Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 5:59 pm
@Mel,
ha ha count me in on one of those!! For sure for sure

[Reply]
Yoda says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:48 pm

If Kovi plays this thing out and ends up going to the Isles for max money, good luck to him. Guess that whole will to win also has a price.

[Reply]
fourtunato says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:50 pm

Kovi is not the second coming. I didn’t think this was going to happen. Not the right personality. He’d come here and score 28 goals & we’d all be wondering why we paid what we did.

[Reply]
laikaloco says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:51 pm

I too will actually wait for a more reliable source. It’s true that Kovalchuk really doesn’t have many other options, and certainly none with even a CHANCE of winning quickly.

Gagne’s contract situation would cost us almost nothing, as Philly is desperate to shed enough salary to re-sign their RFAs (Darrell Powe and Dan Carcillo). So a 3rd/4th round pick might do it…re-sign Frolov, add an Arron Asham (late of Philly–UFA) and re-sign Modin at a very modest contract. Because from what I saw, only Moller is close to making the jump to the big club at forward next year.

[Reply]
Matt George says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:51 pm

My biggest questions is:

WHY IS DEAN GIVING HELENE THE SCOOP FIRST????

what the hell?

[Reply]
Rich Hammond Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
@Matt George, I did my best to explain this yesterday. It’s a matter of work and timing. You stay at it and catch someone at the right time, and you get something. There’s no favoritism, nor should there be.

[Reply]
Matt George Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
@Rich Hammond,

gotchya .. thanks.

[Reply]
Cynic Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
@Matt George,

My guess is she got it from Kovy’s agent and not DL. I’m sure DL isn’t happy about her breaking it.

[Reply]
RenoKingsFan Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 4:05 pm
@Matt George,
Yeah, whats up with that. It doesn’t make sense to me for him to tell Helene, and not even a text to Rich????? But I also don’t see Dean lying to her. Deano’s got some explaining to do. I still want confirmation from Rich. With all the pranks going around (Dregger) Is it possible that some Helene hating Kings fan is putting her on? Probably not.

[Reply]
714Kings says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:52 pm

I was all for him, but it isn’t always a sure thing. Maybe this is best and now the kings can go another direction. Unfortunately, this may tweek a delay in the plan for a year, but so what? This team is full of young talent and someone needs to step up until a trade can be done.

[Reply]
Alen says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:52 pm

If he goes to the Isles or any other team for some insane amount, DL did just fine in moving on. If he signs for another team for 7-8 million a year DL just failed.

[Reply]
Traded for a Pick Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
@Alen,

If that happens, DL deserves to be fired. Only unless it’s an insane contract is this reasonable.

Personally, I’m not excited for trading our assets for another injury prone winger who is getting old. Unless they get Gagne for a bargain, this is another rough off season since LA still has a few holes up front, and need a defender or two.

[Reply]
Michael says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:53 pm

Open the flood gates for the Kovy and Dean bashing

[Reply]
dutch2411 says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:54 pm

Were in the hex is that report in the LA Times. I looked in thier website. NOTHING

[Reply]
Galen Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
@dutch2411,
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2010/07/ilya-kovalchuk-kings-nhl-free-agency.html

[Reply]
DLB Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 4:17 pm
@dutch2411, it is pretty hard to find. Here: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2010/07/ilya-kovalchuk-kings-nhl-free-agency.html

[Reply]
RenokingsFan says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:54 pm

As a long time Kings fan, I must be honest when I say, that I didn’t believe for a second that we would actually land Kovalchuk. Thats just part of being a Kings fan. “There’s always next year.”

[Reply]
DLB says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:55 pm

Let’s take a deep breath. Signing a free agent at all costs isn’t winning, and having an upper limit isn’t losing. We will see where we are at the end of the summer.

Personally, I feel like we dodged a bullet.

[Reply]
Who Knows? says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:58 pm

@ Josh

DL is known for lying? Examples please?

[Reply]
Sydor25 Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 4:03 pm
@Who Knows?,

He lied to Rich before the Williams trade.

[Reply]
josh Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
@Sydor25, its not like hes become “known” for doing it…

but hes done it before…..he can easily do it again if he thinks it will benefit the situation

[Reply]
Framer31 says:

July 4, 2010 at 3:58 pm

That’s great news. Why sell the farm for this guy. I don’t recall him producing a whole bunch of points after he was traded last season. Would of been a waste of money and probably disrupted the the team.

[Reply]
iansez says:

July 4, 2010 at 4:03 pm

Somehow trade Jay-Willy for Gagne. It all makes sense in a hospitally, incestuous kinda way…

[Reply]
PK says:

July 4, 2010 at 4:03 pm

Until he signs somewhere, anything can happen. I’m going to just sit and see what happens. Either way I’m still a Kings fan. If it doesn’t work out then so be it. I an not privy to the negotiations so it isn’t fair to start pointing fingers and blaming people.

Hard to stomach people bashing DL and IK for standing their ground. DL is being conscientious about the cap and the future of a young team and IK is protecting his future after hockey. Pro athletes have a short shelf life. My sentiments aside, I wouldn’t play it any different if I were either IK or his agent. He wants to be in LA and so does his family, but at the risk of tossing millions away over the life of my career? Tough pill to swallow if you ask me. Winning is important to every pro athlete but I have a sneaking suspicion that providing the best he can for his family may be slightly higher in his list of priorities. IK is not going to be an endorsement machine in LA. His next contract is what he will build the remainder of his life around.

All that being said, I’d still love to see him firing away with Doughty on the power play…

[Reply]
Matt George Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 4:23 pm
@PK,

I just have to say I’ve read the “Well Kovi has to take care of family” thing more than a few times and I gotta tell ya. That’s a hard play to make when he’s as handsomely paid as anyone in the entire NHL.

I’m sure Ryan Smith is doing just fine making half as much as Kovalchuk.

In fact, I bet Raitis Ivannans is doing just fine making 600grand a year.

Cry me a river on the “my family has to eat” B.S.

[Reply]
Arthur says:

July 4, 2010 at 4:06 pm

Frolov anyone? Although I don’t know why he would resign in LA, seeing that Murray pretty much ruined him since he showed up. Anyone remember back when he was their best goal scorer? And played on the PK as well? And was a dependable backchecker? And a great value for the money? Then Lombardi and Murray showed up, and he was the whipping boy for the team? Don’t know why Brown can NOT back check, take HORRIBLE percentage shots every shift, NOT score goals, be a minus player over his career and get praised. Frolov has a bad shift and gets benched. No wonder he didn’t show up half the time this year. Actually played very well in the playoffs. Well, no Kovalchuck, and goodbye Frolov, now what, give up players to get an often injured winger a la Justin Williams again? Yea Lombardi! I’m not anti-Lombardi, I’m just fair. He has not done a good job as GM, or at best average, and is still cashing in off Taylor’s assets.

[Reply]
rontheking Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 5:59 pm
@Arthur, dude I’m with you on the frolov rant (although he doesn’t deserve a raise imho and that’s probably the only way to keep him), but comparing dave taylor’s performance with lombardi’s? surely you jest!

[Reply]
Eric K says:

July 4, 2010 at 4:07 pm

Disappointed that we missed out on so many players while pursuing this guy, but not disappointed that we refused to pay a King’s ransom for Kovalchuk. Hope DL makes a couple good moves to improve the roster this summer. Wonder if Frolov’s in play?

[Reply]
Steve McQueen Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 4:34 pm
@Eric K, we weren’t just focused in on Kovi. There were deals for other FA out there too, but the players chose, and I’ll repeat this again, chose to play elsewhere. Kovi was a top priority, but so was Martin and another who I can’t remember.

I’m cool with not signing him at an outrageous salary if that’s what it turns out to be, because it would hurt a lot more to lose one of the core guys because of an 8+ mil cap hit his salary demands.

[Reply]
matthew barry says:

July 4, 2010 at 4:13 pm

Rich, I was told the Gagne deal was “dead”.

[Reply]
steve c says:

July 4, 2010 at 4:13 pm

Really, why sign any free agents. If DL did his job drafting then a couple of our boys should make the team. I’d rather give them a shot then sign someone else. How disappointing it must be for someone in the minors to have to stay down year after year because the club continues to sign free agents – and 90% of them bust.

[Reply]
Luke M says:

July 4, 2010 at 4:14 pm

LeBrun confirms from Kovachuk’s came that the Kings are out…via twitter.

[Reply]
Who Knows? Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 6:38 pm
@Luke M, and then he posted a link to the same LA Times article I believe.

[Reply]
blckbsct says:

July 4, 2010 at 4:16 pm

Neither shocking or surprising.

Carter?
Gagne?
Semin?

Either way we are a good team!

Go KINGS!!!!

[Reply]
sammuch says:

July 4, 2010 at 4:19 pm

Maybe Kovi is playing DL, to see if he get 9mil out him. I think DL does not want to pay a dime over 8 mil a year for him. So we will know the truth come Mon or Tues when I think Kovi will sign with LA, NJ, NYI or even Atl if its about the money?

I think they are playing games with each other until Tues when all this will be over.

How many of you think its over? just post YES or NO

I say No they will talk one more time come Monday!

[Reply]
torturedkingsfan says:

July 4, 2010 at 4:22 pm

I hope Kovy signs with the Isles so we can watch him toil at the bottom of the NHL for the rest of his career.

[Reply]
Jason says:

July 4, 2010 at 4:24 pm

NO! They will discuss Monday. Kings will be very busy Monday and hopefully get us depth on defense and at the center position. That being said please don’t give up Schenn.

[Reply]
Rene says:

July 4, 2010 at 4:25 pm

Bobby Ryan? That would be awesome.

[Reply]
Retroactive Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 4:46 pm
@Rene, I would live to see Ryan but Lombardi does not want to go after RFA for fear someone will target our up coming RFAs.

That said he has to find something out there considering he missed out in almost all of the talent available.

[Reply]
Mucker says:

July 4, 2010 at 4:29 pm

First – Helene Elliott is in the HOF so her credibility should not be questioned.

Next – Rich has been pinging DL…Helene – no offence to Rich – has been covering the Kings longer and probably has sources beyond those who will communicate to RH.

Next – understand that much of this stuff is negotiatting tactics; it’s bitter and ugly and not for the faint at heart.

Next – if your a “Kings” fan – support the club – which means ‘support DL’. If he does decide to pass on Kovy – it will be for a VERY good reason. Either the price is too high, or will jeopardize our future chances to sign UFAs / RFAs, or Kovy isn’t really serious about playing here in the first place. And if a player is either chasing a paycheck or team-hopping (like Hossa) for a chance to win a Cup, he’s not meant to be a ‘team guy’ in the first place.

If Kovy is so stupid as to go to a team like the Isles who are at least 5 years away from making the playoffs, he should have just resigned with the Thrashers – another club that has no hope of contending for another 5 years – but at least they offered him $101 MM.
jump into the fray for the hope of pushing those teams that are serious contenders now (LA & NJ) for his services.

But as Waxie and PK have noted earlier in their posts, we could just as well sign to 30 goal scorers for a helluva lot less than Kovy would cost us and still be in the hunt next April. And remember – there ARE teams OVER the cap already who will have to shed player salaries – and those can be had on the cheap (late round draft picks and ‘projects’ in our system).

C’mon folks…hang in there! Remember – TEAM above player!
Finally – make no mistake; there are more teams in this hunt than just the Devils, Kings and Isles. There are several teams that still are well under the floor so one can assume that Kovy’s camp are holding out for those others to

[Reply]
Who Knows? Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 4:56 pm
@Mucker, I think this whole ordeal is just a negotiation tactic.
Kings make offer.
Kovalchuk says no.
Hopes to get better offer, doesn’t happen
Signs with Kings.

Also, I don’t understand Kovalchuk. First he turns down a 101MM offer, says he wants to play for a contender. Then he says no to a contender.

[Reply]
KNGFAN004 says:

July 4, 2010 at 4:39 pm

Good! Glad to be out of that race! Get Gagne who is a team player and OD back for…? Build… don’t sell the farm. This free agent period was horrible in the talent pool and Kovi knows it…and is using it as cash leverage…Still need to sign DD,WS and Richie!

[Reply]
Lloyd Christmas Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 4:56 pm
@KNGFAN004,

OD already signed in Philly. We could still get Mitchell though I think…

[Reply]
Steve McQueen says:

July 4, 2010 at 4:41 pm

Hey guys, it’s the 4th of July! Get off the computer and enjoy it! Safe 4th to all!

[Reply]
Bickleton Wigglesworth III says:

July 4, 2010 at 4:59 pm

Good riddance.

[Reply]
zdfun says:

July 4, 2010 at 5:00 pm

Yeah! We have already have Kopi who is a star, so now please focus on him and make him a superstar!

[Reply]
KC23 says:

July 4, 2010 at 5:03 pm

Have any of you asked yourself this one question …

Why would DL give the scoop about giving up on Kovy to the LA Times without so much as giving his own main PR guy Rich anything?

Rich has to go to DL for clarification?

Makes you wonder, don’t it.

[Reply]
Rich Hammond says:

July 4, 2010 at 5:11 pm

“His own main PR guy”? Since I presume you meant that as an insult, I’ll take it as such.

I’ll explain this as many times as necessary, but I attempt to get info the same as everyone. The fascination with me is fascinating to me…

[Reply]
brandyn Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 5:22 pm
@Rich Hammond,

I think he means. If he gives the news to the Press, it will spread faster, and people will probably believe it more. It’s a way of using the press to put more pressure on Kovalchuk and his agent to make up his mind “Take our offer Kovalchuk if you want to come here” Like a triple dog dare. “do it get it over with, you know you want to”

[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 5:47 pm
@brandyn,

Bingo. brandyn.

Geez, Rich you’re the last guy I’d want to insult. Very sorry if I did. I’m not a media type so obviously “PR guy” is the wrong phrase to use.

You have typically been the first to know things that are happening with the Kings and you are paid by the Kings organization. How should I of discribed your relationship?

[Reply]
deadcatbounce Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 8:03 pm
@Rich Hammond, A happy Fourth of July to you. I’ve wondered over the months what you must think about some of us posters and if a lot of the sycophants amuse or annoy you. Okay, okay, gotta go, but hope you and everyone else is having a great Independence Day celebration.

[Reply]
losingsand says:

July 4, 2010 at 5:38 pm

I’m sorry but this is just frustrating. I feel like we were p*ssyfooting our way through 3 years of free agency/trade deadline to put ourselves in a position for THIS VERY moment. And DL STILL can’t get it done.
I feel like the clippers… I’m sure DL will address the holes but now we have to give up a ton of our assets and possible roster players for it. Instead of an addition, we make a lateral move.

Kovalchuk still hasn’t signed anywhere else so there’s still a ghost of a chance, but it would be CRAZY for me to think that DL will actually try to get it done at this point.

I feel like the clippers.

[Reply]
losingsand says:

July 4, 2010 at 5:40 pm

I’m sorry but this is just frustrating. I feel like we were p*ssyfooting our way through 3 years of free agency/trade deadline to put ourselves in a position for THIS VERY moment. And DL STILL can’t get it done.
I feel like the clippers… I’m sure DL will address the holes but now we have to give up a ton of our assets and possible roster players for it. Instead of an addition, we make a lateral move.

Kovalchuk still hasn’t signed anywhere else so there’s still a ghost of a chance, but it would be CRAZY for me to think that DL will actually try to get it done at this point.

[Reply]
Kingsfanone says:

July 4, 2010 at 5:42 pm

So there seems to be so many misconceptions abounding on the ole web, eh?

1) Rich is Deano’s main PR guy?

2) Just because there are rumors abound that Deano pulled the plug on a Kovi deal, if I remember correctly, poker is played kinda by being a better bluffer? Until Kovi has actually signed somewhere else, I have to figure he is still in play to be a King.

3) If Kovi does indeed sign somewhere else, then I have to depend on Dean to make deal(s) to better the team. Which is what he is/was doing trying to get Kovi in the first place.

4) Rich is construed as Dean’s PR guy because they both work for the Kings, and Dean is the GM. Just as somoeone jumps to the conclusion a player that leaves a team (for whatever reason, but largely for more money) is not a “homer” or a true “team player”.

If indeed Kovi does not become a King, I have to think it’s because Dean felt that it wasn’t in the best interest of the team. Why would I think otherwise and call Dean out on the carpet when I have witnessed a rebirth of this team at his hands. Bruce McNall is not here anymore and there is a salary cap in place, and AEG have been losing money on the Kings, yet Anshutz continues to back Tim and Dean and let them do their jobs.

[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 5:52 pm
@Kingsfanone,

Exactly. My whole point was that if I’m Dean and I want to give Kovy’s agent a message that says … “I call BS on your NY Islander ploy to get me to bid against myself” I go to the LA Times that will go global instantly with the information.

If I’m Dean and I want to let my fans know the Kovy deal is not going to happen … I go to Rich and let him put it up on the local team fan sight.

Last thing I wanted to do is slight Rich who is the best thing that ever happened to King’s fans in the history of the franchise.

[Reply]
kingfish Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 6:10 pm
@KC23,
Lebrun says on his twitter page that kovys camp confirms kings are out. I dont see how this can be a ploy by DL when Kovy is saying the same?

[Reply]
Kingsfanone Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 6:35 pm
@kingfish,

So if Dean calls the Ilse bluff and says okay, you take him, the panic that erupted because Dean said fine, we’re out, could cause the Ilse to stop for a minute and reconsider. Just because Dean said we are done does not mean that’s it. It’s called negociations, poker, bluffing.
LeBrun and Helene are doing Dean’s job for him by sweating Kovi and the Ilse.

Dean will NOT mortgage the team or players to get Kovi. Kovi either accepts Dean’s offer sheet or goes elsewhere. Dean has a multitude of resources to trade with, and he hasn’t spent the last, what, 4 years building up just to tear it down.

Dean has continually said he will not get in a bidding war. Especially with himself! Why should he overpay when he doesn’t have to.

I have to trust Dean knows what he’s doing. If Kovi signs someplace else, he was asking for too much so good riddance.

brandyn Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 6:11 pm
@KC23,

Fereal, you hit that dead on…

[Reply]
jett says:

July 4, 2010 at 6:06 pm

Is it official that were giving up on kovi

[Reply]
kingsfanrbk11 says:

July 4, 2010 at 6:07 pm

we should just sign afinogenov and sutton! then trade williams + prospect for a LW like gagne.

Gagne – Kopitar – Afinogenov
Smyth – Stoll – Brown
Richardson – Handzuez – Simmonds
Parse – Moller/Schenn – Holloway

Doughty – Johnson
Schuderi – Greene
Sutton – Voynov

[Reply]
rontheking says:

July 4, 2010 at 6:07 pm

If this big fish gets away i for one will not be sorry. A big contract which takes up a fifth of the payroll and drags on for more than five years can destroy a franchise. We’d be crying our eyes out in a couple of years when we’d start losing our young developing talent. One player does not make a hockey team. A group makes a team.

[Reply]
Flex says:

July 4, 2010 at 6:17 pm

I feel this is a good move by DL.I always said ,we need a sniper and Kovi is a perfect candidate for that,but the team is more important.We need A TEAM at first place….I mean good balanced team.10m or more for one player like Kovi is not fair.He is not “great one”..Also,I feel that NY move is a bluff. that chinese guy is not idiot to sighn 10m player.The team is not ready yet and they still remember yashin deal.
BTW ..who is the most expencive player now ..and how much?
Back to Kovi …if this guy did not accept 101m million from Atlanta…than he has stanley in his mind. Now ,who is closer to that NJ or LA ??
What option we have here?…If that Bobby Ryan situtation could be real…( i hope around 6-7m ) than things would look fine ..IF. !!! SG is to risky …NO, thank you!!! The problem is ,we do not have any more player among FAs…Hey,for third line I would sign Belanger(our old body).And finaly,if no Kovi than Fro will be sighned (99%)…

[Reply]
Jamer says:

July 4, 2010 at 6:18 pm

Not surprising. The Kings offered peanuts and the others big bucks. I’ve seen this since the 70′s. Cheap. Cheaper and Cheapest are the 3 people running this MM show.

[Reply]
Royal Purple says:

July 4, 2010 at 6:58 pm

Let’s get Gange and Bobby Ryan. I had a dream last night about a Ryan Stoll and Brown stopper line. That would be sick!

[Reply]
doughty_franschise says:

July 4, 2010 at 7:03 pm

There is no excuse for not pulling off this Kovalchuk signing. Typical Kings. We need a Top end goal scoarer to make it deep in the playoffs and he was the only option. DL blew it. END OF FACT. Pay him what he wants

[Reply]
doughty_franchise says:

July 4, 2010 at 7:07 pm

We blew it! Kovy was exactly what we needed. DL blew it! We need a top end scorer. Typical Kings. If we want to make a playoff run, we need someone like IK. Pay the man what he wants!!! I blame DL. Im tired of hearing all this BS justification for terrible signings/non-signs…like signing Modin and Halpern last year. BS! and so is this!!

[Reply]
Hoog says:

July 4, 2010 at 7:47 pm

Great…everyone better start resigning themselves to the fact that we are never going to win the cup in our or any of our kids lifetimes….sucks

[Reply]
crashin' da net says:

July 4, 2010 at 11:06 pm

1st – don’t think this this IK play is over til DL says so

2nd – if it is over, good. probably wanted way to much dinero and I don’t think he is worth 10mm

3rd – I would stay away from Gagne and Fro unless they were extremely cheap

4th – We should go for Ryan and/or Penner

5th – If DL does nothing major that means he is milking the fans for at least another year and I – dare I say it – may have to become a Duck fan – OUCH!!! the Ducks and especially the improved Cabucks will eat our lunch this season. Also, if we don’t make some major acquisitions that probably means DL was probably blowing smoke up our butts for IK all along and was never serious. Just sayin…..

[Reply]
smitty says:

July 5, 2010 at 5:42 am

Kovi is gone. Too bad but lets move on. Gagne is a bad idea, misses to many games hurt,has had a bad concussion and only has one year left on his contract. If Philly signs kovi make a bid for Carter, and please dont trade Simmonds.

[Reply]

No Kovalchuk?

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