Just to let everyone know, the exact questions I have put to Lombardi are in regards to whether he has made his final offer to Kovalchuk and whether he’s done with the situation completely. Because, as we’ve talked about here before, the entire GM/agent thing at this time of year is essentially a high-stakes hand of poker. Hold your cards, ante up and see how far the other guy will go. I do know that the Kings made their latest offer early Friday night, although I don’t know the terms, or how it might have coincided with the similarly-timed news that the Islanders had put themselves in the race. I’ll update as possible, but it’s fair to say that entering the fifth day of the free-agency period, the Kings will have neither a top-six forward nor a top-four defenseman, their two clear targets heading into the summer.
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Just as I expected.
[Reply]
andy Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 5:09 pm
@miller29, that comment made me lol
[Reply]
OneTimer Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 6:04 pm
@miller29,
So you’re saying you agree – Kovalchuk’s contract demands are just way too costly.
Well I agree too. Good riddance.
[Reply]
garry Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 9:07 pm
@miller29,
I am soo happy! Take care of our guy’s in the system! We do not need another soft Russian.
[Reply]
We have top 6 forwards and top 4 defensement in the minors. I am tired of trading for other teams castoffs and signing warm bodies. If DL has drafted well then let him show us by the boys playing with the big club. Then again, maybe the problem is either (1) our coaching system, (2) a GM who is more talker than walker, or (3) a city not all that conducive to hockey.
[Reply]
still over 2 months until training camp. Let’s be patient everyone and trust that DL has a larger plan than sugn Kovy.
[Reply]
jamer Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 6:20 pm
@kozak, and Mary had a Little Lamb…………
[Reply]
jamer Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 6:22 pm
@kozak, OK, and Mary had a Little Lamb………… back We are now working on PLan ZZZ.
Maybe we can bring…Danny Kozak, no pun intended.
[Reply]
Sorry Rich for re-posting, you put this up while I was thinking the same thing! I would like yuor view on this too?
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
[Reply]
sammuch Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 4:26 pm
@sammuch, No its not over yet
[Reply]
Miller29 Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 4:28 pm
@sammuch,
it’s over like it always is. Some people just can’t let go despite what the King’s history has shown us.
[Reply]
Mike L Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
@sammuch,
YES Its over. A kovalchuk source told ESPN and LeBrun that the Kings are officially out
[Reply]
Who Knows? Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 4:51 pm
@Mike L, That chick from the LA Times reported it. Not exactly a Kovalchuk source.
[Reply]
shades Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 4:37 pm
@sammuch,It is over…period………..
[Reply]
jet Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 4:45 pm
@sammuch, well, we just saw the river card, but the final bets have not been made.
If the hit is 10M + I sure hope the Ducks are the winners (uh, losers).
[Reply]
Tmik Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 5:09 pm
@sammuch,
Dean hasn’t said anything so far as saying that Kovalchuck isn’t coming to LA.
Helene has said Kovalchuck isn’t coming to LA.
And while I won’t debate Helene’s credibility, I will say that, No, it’s not over until there’s a Contract signed, either by us or someone else.
[Reply]
Tmik Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 5:20 pm
@Tmik, Actually, this whole thing makes me think about that Stanely cup playoffs video, just the audio obviously.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVJ7DNl1Ycg
Especially the bit right at the end.
[Reply]
“the Kings will have neither a top-six forward nor a top-four defenseman, their two clear targets heading into the summer.”
Which, of course, means no playoffs for LA next season if they can’t swing the necessary deals to elevate their game.
[Reply]
djspock92 Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
@Ersberg,
So you’re basically saying, Randy Jones, OD, Frolov, and Ivanans got the Kings 101 points last season?
Replace those that left via free agency with minor leaguers (Hickey, Voynov, Schenn, and Westgarth) and add that with our younger players coming back with more experience (Simmonds, Parse, JJ, Doughty) and you have a way better team than last season, not to mention no feathers will be ruffled with an overpriced FA in the locker room.
And we still could resign Frolov and Modin.
[Reply]
AK47 Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 6:44 pm
@Ersberg,
Agreed, we’ll be the St. Louis Blues and Columbus Blue Jackets of last year.. They made the playoffs two seasons ago and last year they flopped.
[Reply]
raunq12 Reply:
July 5th, 2010 at 12:03 pm
@Ersberg,
Typical
[Reply]
TSN REPORTS Ilya Kovalchuk will not be heading to the Los Angeles Kings,
according to the team’s general manager Dean Lombardi, the L.A. Times reported on Sunday.
The Kovalchuk sweepstakes have seen rumours of the Russian sniper heading to L.A., staying with the Devils or going to the Islanders, but four days into the NHL’s free agency period, that all remains speculation and the 27-year-old has yet to find a home.
“We took our best shot to meet his needs and the team’s,” Lombardi said in an email, according to the Times.
Lombardi did not explain why Kovalchuk turned down the Kings’ offer and said he didn’t know which team the skilled forward was heading to, the Times said.
Kovalchuk has a history of turning down offers – earlier this year he refused two from the Atlanta Thrashers (12 years, $101 million and seven years, $70 million).
[Reply]
ugh. hopefully our manchester players and schenn can help us a lot. i don’t want gagne either.
[Reply]
I am terribly disappointed. He was the right guy at the right time for this team. Not sure who’s to blame – or if anyone’s to blame – but this is the latest chapter in a thick book of unrealized hopes for Kings fans. We deserve better.
[Reply]
jet Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
@rick, 2 out of 3 ain’t bad if you are dating, but when you are building a champion you need the ‘right price’ also.
[Reply]
Lanny McDonald's 'Stache Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 5:04 pm
@rick,
Without knowing the details of the situation, it certainly seems that Kovalchuk’s greed is the only thing to blame at this point.
[Reply]
Exactly right: on Day 5 they will likely not have a top 6 FWD and/or a top 4 D-Man. But as we all know, Free Agency lasts longer than just 5 Days, so patience is once again a virtue.
I agree that there was other talent out there that has now been claimed by other Teams but we need to relax – one Super-Sniper does not win you a cup when the Team around him is not a TEAM. Even the great one couldn’t pull it off here in LA……
Let’s keep working hard, a blockbuster trade/signing can still be made but I like the route DL is going: don’t jeopardize the Team for one Player.
[Reply]
shades Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
@Dom, the team is not in jeopardy…they are not good enough to go more than one round into the playoffs no matter who comes in!
[Reply]
Sign Sutton and Corvo. Resign Frolov.
[Reply]
Miller29 Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 4:50 pm
@Alen,
PLEASE NO CORVO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[Reply]
KingsFan19 Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 5:01 pm
@Alen,
Please, no Corvo!
The phrase “Corvo winds up and shoots”….”Wide to the right side!!!!” still haunts me.
[Reply]
Manchester Connection Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 5:52 pm
@Alen, ABSOLUTELY YES to Andy Sutton, but no friggin way to Corvo.
Frolov? Only if he wants to be here.
But I think he is just another selfish Russian.
And NO! I am not against the Russians, just the selfish ones.
GO SLAVA VOYNOV!
[Reply]
Yes
[Reply]
Personally, I don’t want a player who wants money at the expense of having a team that can stay together and possibly win more than just once what they are supposed to all covet. Look at Chicago, they had to trade away a big part of their success after winning the cup because of big contracts. Time will tell whether they can be replaced successfully.
Now go get Frolov signed! And, for those who want his numbers up, play him on a line where that is probable and not a bonus.
[Reply]
Thanks Rich for the updates. After reading the last entry from you (“No Kovalchuk”) I thought that this is either the end or the Kovy chase, or a message through the media from DL to Kovy and/or his agent to stop messing around and finalize things.
We will see.
Seeing as though a lot of us felt that aside from Kovy, any additions would come via trade, we are not off track here. There are still options available to us that will improve the team. DL has been wise and calm about not making the drastic, rash moves that will hurt us longterm, and I have to assume he is doing the same things now.
As for the players that have been rumored, I see some sense in the names…Gagne is fine (providing we do not overpay), Kaberle would actually be a good pickup, depending on the price, Vinny would be a tough one to take considering the price and length of the contract, plus whatever we have to give up to acquire him.
As rich said, going into July 1st, there was only one game changer on the FA market. DL made the run, either it is enough or it isn’t. DL was correct to try, but at this point, probably also correct to pull back. I believe it was a consensus that we should make the attempt, but be responsible about it.
DL still has cards to play and we will see what comes of it.
[Reply]
I love the bitterness Rich. you echo so many of us today. we have all the pieces but one, this was the perfect fir and we come away with zilch. Just alot of money under the cap. Woo hoo! Score! Yeah, scoreboard, I mean balance sheet baby! Maybe I’ll get the amount of cap money we have as my next jersey
[Reply]
Miller29 Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 4:40 pm
@Krusher,
I’m with you on your take. Put “Cap Space” on your jersey and I’ll put “Cheap Skates” on mine.
[Reply]
Tmik Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 4:51 pm
@Krusher, There’s zero bitterness there.
Rich is just saying as it is.
We needed a top 6 or a top 4, and we got nither.
It’s just the facts.
[Reply]
Lanny McDonald's 'Stache Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 5:07 pm
@Krusher,
I’m confused by your comment. You seem to make it sound like we didn’t try to acquire Kovalchuk. Are you of the opinion that we should pay whatever it takes to get him, regardless of whether it means we lose DD, JJ, Simmer, etc, in the future?
[Reply]
Pitty Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 5:27 pm
@Lanny McDonald’s ‘Stache,
Lanny,
You got it exactly right. People just don’t get the repercussions from signing someone no matter who it is for too much money. No one here wants to say I will give up player A B & C to sign player X.
I will say If my choice is Gagne of a rookie in the minors i’ll take the rookie.
[Reply]
is this be good for DD? could he get more money if no big takers are signed taking up space?
[Reply]
I wonder what’s taking DL so long to respond to Rich’s questions? It’s not like he’s signing anyone.
[Reply]
Thank goodness the Kovi saga is over…here’s hoping for Hartnell and Karberle.
[Reply]
Gagne it is then.
[Reply]
If he signs for 10 million with another team like the islanders then do we want this guy on the team? The next 5 years are looking more promising for us then they do for them. Why would we sign him for that much and lose key guys down the line that would weaken the team and the direction it’s going? Kovalchuk would not be able to fill all the holes we need. He might have scored 40-50 goals a season if he stayed healthy but I would prefer 2 or 3 25-35 goal scores and have the scoring spread around the team. An injury would not hurt that much. Now if he signs for 8 million then we need some answers.
[Reply]
It really doesn’t matter. They cant win the cup with Kovi only. They need another 3-4 excellent players whether they come via trade or minors. If they don’t have top quality guys in the minors and don’t sign a few scorers and a defenseman, then it will be the same as last year, or worse…as in not making the playoffs at all.
When is everyone going to realize that AEG will not spend the money to pick up quality players. THey will have their hands in their pockets when it comes to resigning the guys they’ve got, so don’t expect mucch help from outside the Kings organization….EVER!
[Reply]
Paul From Oxnard Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 4:48 pm
@shades, It’s not just AEG. Pretty much ever since the Gretzky trade this team has proven time and again it’s unwillingness to make the bold moves needed to win a Stanley Cup. It doesn’t matter who the ownership is.
[Reply]
Steve S. Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
This is not an example of AEG being cheap, rather a minor obstacle called the salary cap…
[Reply]
Airwaves Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 5:47 pm
I’m tired of seeing the Kings looking in from the outside. I’m also tired of the Kings not spending to improve this team. I think us fans here in LA deserve this, we’ve been patient enough!
[Reply]
If this is the end of things and I really don’t believe they are, then see ya Kovy!
He wants to be the highest paid player in the NHL when he still can’t hold Sid’s or Ovi’s jock strap.
I am tired of these Russian clowns playing these contract games.
But one good thing about this is that Alexi Yasin isn’t the biggest Russian clown anymore.
$10 million per season is one thing…10 years is another.
[Reply]
tantrum4 Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 6:15 pm
@Manchester Connection,
Where did you hear Kovi wants $10 million per season for 10 years? I heard that’s what the Islanders were going to offer him so if that’s what he wants don’t you think he would have signed with them by now? Maybe he wants $8 million but Dean won’t go a dime past $6.5? You shouldn’t go around calling people out and making up rumours and posting them on a message board, there’s already one Eklund, we don’t need another one on here..
[Reply]
Manchester Connection Reply:
July 5th, 2010 at 8:30 am
@tantrum4, Calm down TT4..I don’t type rumors here (just check out the 3 or 4 times I have posted here in the past year. If I was sending rumors I would have posted a hell of alot more)
My 10 for 10 was just a guess.
I hope we can both agree about the following.
1. DL needs room to negotiate with Doughty, Johnson and Bernier and shelling out millions and millions to Kovy won’t help with those negotiations.
2. Kovy is leveraging his NHL negotiations against anything KHL negotiation he might be involved with.
I strongly feel we would be walking into another Alexei Yashin situation and that didn’t turn out well for anyone who crossed his path.
[Reply]
Finally some real fireworks on Independence Day! I am undecided on what I believe, other then to say that there are still 2 months till training camp. With Kovalchuk or without I have every confidence that Dean Lombardi will improve this team before the opening of camp.
[Reply]
Dean did say that it was his best offer. Of course, it could change if Leiweke wants to get involved like Wang did for NY.
[Reply]
Traded for a Pick Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 4:50 pm
@Sydor25,
Actually Leiweke was after Kovalchuk and DL trading for him back at the deadline. Glad DL didn’t then but he better have a damn good excuse for this because ownership was more than willing to signing the guy.
[Reply]
DL, I am disappoint.
Kinda bothersome 3 of the top 6 projected forwards (if the Kings trade for Gagne) will be aging, more injury prone forwards with a glut of prospects, but no proven top 6 quality players…yet. And with the defense still with some holes in it for the time being this looks like a set back.
Trading prospects for players is alright, if the Kings were on the verge of being contenders, but when there are holes to fill in the roster this kind of stalls things out when the players potentially being added are older players acting more as stop gaps until another option arises.
Last year it was Gaborik. This year it seems to be Kovalchuk. Can’t wait for next year.
DL better have a better plan than what I have heard so far.
[Reply]
kings forver Reply:
July 5th, 2010 at 1:17 am
@Traded for a Pick,
Also heard the same excuse for Hossa. I am sick of tem making their best effort. Just get it done. If we are really following the Blackhawks blueprint, then Kovy should be signed.
.
[Reply]
I’m as concerned as anyone at what we DON’T have, but I’m grateful this player is off to gauge someone else. He’ll be fortunate to have three great years in him. The cost would have been too steep for too long.
I don’t think Gagne is the answer either. I like him a lot, but we need youth and speed and skill.
We need a miracle.
[Reply]
Just for some perspective: so far, 29 other GMs have failed to acquire Kovalchuk’s services. Kovalchuk’s agent will either keep playing the game until the Islanders are the only team left or another team will have to sacrifice to fit Ilya under the cap.
Meanwhile, Frolov remains a free agent. I like Frolov (even have a #24 jersey) but it would seem the market (including the Kings) has decided his asking price is too high even if some fans believe he was worth resigning at nearly any cost.
[Reply]
Paul From Oxnard Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 4:57 pm
1: I don’t believe Frolov is worth resigning at any cost. I don’t believe he’s worth resigning at all. But I could be in the minority I guess. He’s just not worth the money he’s demanding.
2: If Kovalchuk isn’t careful the Isles WILL be his only choice and I have to believe that’s not a choice he wants to be left with. I can speak as a NY native who grew up an Isles fan that with all due respect to the current team, and even including Tavares, this team won’t be a contender anytime soon. And Kovalchuk knows he doesn’t fit in New Jersey that they’re only chasing him to save face with their fans. So the only viable choice he has if he really wants to sign with a bona fide playoff contender is to sign with the Kings. If it’s all about money with him though then I suspect he’ll end up on the Island and Dean Lombardi will have made the right decision.
[Reply]
Lanny McDonald's 'Stache Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 5:09 pm
@Paul From Oxnard,
I’m in complete agreement with all of that.
[Reply]
Steve S. Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 5:32 pm
So off to the Isles. He’ll be on a lousy team but he’ll be wealthy. Sad.
Simmerfan 11 Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 5:21 pm
@Paul From Oxnard, Well said!
[Reply]
Stephen Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 6:17 pm
@Paul From Oxnard, I agree with ALL of that
[Reply]
We have a whole league in which to trade with and lots of valuable minor league prospects.
I think I would of been less comfortable with the Kings committing a huge long term salary hit on one player than still needing a top 6 forward or top 4 defensemen. The later is far more fixable than 1 guy who might turn bad for whatever reason in a few years.
Then again this just might be part of the process to get Kovy off the fence. Who knows?
[Reply]
Relax people, he hasn’t signed with anyone else and LeBrun, Dreger and Botta are all tweeting to eachother that they think Dean is playing a hand just like Rich mentioned in this post. Lets just wait to see what really happens.
[Reply]
Rich – how does Helene get the scoop on this and not you? It seems wrong.
[Reply]
MIller29 Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 4:58 pm
@HTK,
Rich told me and others that it’s luck of timing as to who gets the scoop…there is no preferential treatment to reporters.
[Reply]
tantrum4 Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 6:22 pm
@MIller29,
Actually it wasn’t just luck. According to Helene she received an email from Lombardi. It really seems weird to me that Lombardi would send an email regarding this to Helene Elliott, who works for a major LA newspaper and has never broken a story regarding the Kings before in her life. Dean he knows the story would get out a lot sooner by teling her, but Rich, who works for the KIngs, had to call him to find out some more facts and he still hasn’t responded yet.
Something seems awfully fishy here….
[Reply]
Kingsfanone Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 7:02 pm
@tantrum4,
Welcome to this weekends playing of Poker On The Net.
Gee, when you are at the edge and looking over the cliff, isn’t that called BLUFFING?
Miller29 Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 10:22 pm
@tantrum4,
He sent her an email because she more likely than not first sent him one right before.
@ Rich Hammond
“I do know that the Kings made their latest offer early Friday night”
So are you saying Kings made multiple offers? One on Thursday and another on Friday night?
Please make it happen Dean. We need some talent to elevate our team.
[Reply]
As much as want Kovi….I really want him for the Kings…He is not worth 10 million a year. Let’s get someone who truely wants to play HERE! Good job DL.
[Reply]
So if Kovi done and over with!
Do we stick with what we have this year and devolope are young up and coming prospects?
Or see how the Kings do this coming season and just make a trade for a free agent at the trading deadline to get further into the playoffs?
Why trade if we do not need to until the trading deadline. I for one do not want to give up any of are young guys yet! Lets see how they do this new season.
[Reply]
If was a fair offer and it was rejected, then at least the kings tried. Kovalchuk doesnt owe the kings anything and its not like he had to sign. The kings do need need a pure goal scorer, and i do like gagner but he is injury prone. I do hope this is just the Kings playing hardball and Kovalchuk still signs with us, he was a good plan A if he could be signed for a decent price. Everyone keeps saying Jeff Carter, why would Philly want to trade him?
[Reply]
BTW, if anyone is interested in reading the Isles fan take on this, they have a very similar blog to this one at islanderspointblank.com
[Reply]
Kovy who? Oh the money man! There are still other players out there, How about Colaiacovo and Ponikarovsky? Decent numbers! Bitch to pronounce though.
[Reply]
Traded for a Pick Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 6:08 pm
@bulldog13lak,
Hell no to Poni, and I believe Colaivacio or whatevr re-signed with the blues
[Reply]
Anyone give any thought to why DL would give the LA Times the scoop and ignor Rich his own PR guy?
I got some theories.
[Reply]
Chris P. Bacon Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
@KC23,
You may be on to something. Something fishy going on for sure.
It all means we have to wait some more
my back hurts and my F5 key is broken.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 5:58 pm
@Chris P. Bacon,
I might be right, but I’ve gone and insulted Rich in the process by calling him a PR guy which was apparently a horrible insult to him. I’m just not a media type so I didn’t know quite what to call him as he is paid by the Kings, but is allowed to function just like an independant beat writer.
Wish I could take the “PR guy” phrase back, but as we all know there is no edit.
[Reply]
Kingsfanone Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 7:07 pm
@KC23,
1) Appologize profusely and honestly.
2) Learn from your mistakes amd don’t repeat them.
3) You should know better, whether you are a “media type” or not.
4) Think (or reread) before you submit.
This GM needs to go back to school and educate himself on winning
[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
July 5th, 2010 at 4:17 am
@anthony,
You need to go back to school and educate yourself on common sense
[Reply]
This sucks…
[Reply]
If the Islanders get Kovy, I think dean should go after Tavares, via offersheet. I can’t stand piss poor management like the Islanders. Offer 10 mill than then they’re the first to cry about the salary cap.
[Reply]
shocker. kings swing and miss on another UFA.
as for if lombardi has a plan b, its probably someone like gagne that they’ll overpay for a half season’s work. maybe with him and justin williams, they’ll get 84 games played total and about 50 points. for $8MM + combined. awesome. meanwhile, kopitar will still have a revolving door of sloppy seconds and AARP cardholders as his linemates, and score the hardest earned 80 points anyone has seen, and still not be mentioned among the league elite.
is it possible for lombardi to acquire someone who was not on the flyers or sharks? how about someone who’s career is still relevant?!
[Reply]
Miller29 Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 10:23 pm
@hiway39,
Good points
[Reply]
As I posted the last few days–the Kings will get a 2nd rate forward, and stiff for a defenseman, and tell all the Kings fans they have upgraded the team and are poised for a run at the Cup. SSSSSSOOOOOOO Typical. Nothing will change until Anshultz and Leiwieke are no longer running the purse strings.
[Reply]
I might be more optimistic then most..But im almost sure that the kings arent really out of it..They made have acted as if they called the deal off between kovi and the kings, but i think if nothing changes between the isles or NJ, he might run back to us..But i dont want to give him 10..Well give him 8 and some good weather, and hopefully a CUP!
[Reply]
DLB Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 5:57 pm
@Michael_DD8, that is true; nothing is technically over until he signs. However, if there’s anyone who’s going to have to budge, I would think it has to be Kovalchuk. This seems like a message of “That’s it, as high as we can go, and we’re not going to make another. Buh bye.” If Kovy’s camp changes its mind, they can make a call.
[Reply]
I might be more optimistic then most..But im almost sure that the kings arent really out of it..They made have acted as if they called the deal off between kovi and the kings, but i think if nothing changes between the isles or NJ, he might run back to us..But i dont want to give him 10..Well give him 8 and some good weather, and hopefully a CUP!
[Reply]
Dear Ilya,
Go to hell.
ps. I guess you’re already on your way, enjoy playing for isles duche bag.
[Reply]
Miller29 Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
@Tookie,
LOL
[Reply]
Steve S. Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 5:34 pm
Mind your spelling, “douche” is correct…
[Reply]
King John Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 6:13 pm
@Tookie,
If you’re telling him to go to hell, well then it looks like he’s fits in New Jersey, since that’s where all the Devils are…
[Reply]
This is all a means of using the media to bring Kovalchuk down. How many times in the past has Lombardi gone to Helene Elliott before he has gone to Rich? NEVER! Don’t believe that the Kings are out. Very clever Dean. You’re seeing how much he really wants to play for the Kings. Very, very clever. I’m sure Dean expects a call from Jay Grossman within the next 12 hours. Well done Dean, well done.
[Reply]
brandyn Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 5:25 pm
@Scootty,
Yes, this is what ive realized, we are all just flipping out because we havnt thought it through.
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renoKingsFan Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
@brandyn,
yep but we’re talking about guys with egos here. I doubt very much that Kovy will come crawling the the Kings after that statement. Especially since Kovy’s camp has now confirmed to ESPN that the Kings are out. Dean ought to check his ego if this is the case and give players a chance to deside. Oh well.
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Real 9 Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 6:05 pm
@Scootty,
I was thinking along the same lines when I 1st saw the LATimes “newz” ….
a sort of psychological ploy….well it’s possible…
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TVA333 Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 6:14 pm
@Scootty, I completely agree.. nice to see some good faith in Dean-o! In dean we trust.
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Cheers us up Rich.
Any good news you can share with us?
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It’s ridiculous that DL has not reached out to Rich. If Kovi doesn’t want to play here we don’t want him here. This is LOS ANGELES home of the KINGS. He’d be lucky to play here. GO KINGS GO!
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Hard enough dealing with the poorly managed Clippers. Just another LA team that will never quite get there….
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If we get Gange,I can already see the sky falling here,the second he gets an ingrown toe nail.
2 months into next season”Maybe DL should have thought of that before he got that paper cut,NOW WE WON’T MAKE THE PLAYOFFS”
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tantrum4 Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 6:35 pm
@Dominick,
To see that the sky is falling, I think you would need some acid, not gange…gange doesn’t usually have that effect.
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Dominick Reply:
July 5th, 2010 at 12:35 am
@tantrum4, I was just poking fun(ahead of time)at those who will say I told you so,but maybe the gange is what they need.lol
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I dont want that commy prick on our team anyway.
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OKAY
I’m calling it.
I think this is a play.
If the Kings are indeed out of it, Dean would have emailed or texted Rich SOMETHING by now.
Heads up KOVI .. you really did get the final offer from us … take it or leave it.
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If this is really a “play” by Lombardi and Chris Botta believes:
“If you’re out of the bidding for a player, you just stop bidding. If you want to make a play, tell the media”
Then Dean will give the same answer to Rich as he gave Helene.
It’s definitely possible that Dean is tired of being played by Kovalchu’s agent to get a better deal from NJ. Dean’s trying to call his bluff.
We won’t know until Kovalchuk signs with someone.
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Darrell Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 6:38 pm
@Sydor25, If he signs with the Kings for less and 10 million, it will be hilarious watching every commenter on this blog doing a 180 on their anti-Kovi statements.
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Dear Dean Lombardi,
you owe an apology to Rich. LAKINGSINSIDER is your teams #1 source of up to date information. Rich does an excellent job for your team. For the L.A. times to break the news and Rich needing to wait for confirmation is unexcusable. There were hundreds and hundreds of fans that were told to wait and watch the site and you would let us know as soon as you knew something. You lied to us all. That was a very poor lapse in your thinking. I’m actually more upset in how I got the news then what the news was. How in the world does Rich not get to break the news to us? Does Helene have unflaterring pictures of you?
Whenever you do get something done this offseason try and call Rich first. He is the guy that gets less sleep then you because he is always trying to get us information. He is actually on the same team as you.
section 110 top row seat 12
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Luke M Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 6:05 pm
@dabronx,
This is a huge overreaction. I don’t recall Lombardi ever telling fans to wait for info from this blog. We know that we will get info from Rich and we know the info we get from him is reliable. Do you really think Dean Lombardi has time to worry about where fans hear news about free agent signings? If he was wasting time on trivial things like that, then the fans should be upset. Geez, let the man do the work he needs to do. Has it occurred to you that the LA Times was a necessary tool for this news to get out to people other that Kings fans? Let the man do his job and quit letting your feelings get hurt so easily.
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any deal we make a trade or a free agent signing has to make sense. my opinion is check gagne’s health and see what phillys price if it makes sense forget kovi and pull the trigger.
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“it’s fair to say that entering the fifth day of the free-agency period, the Kings will have neither a top-six forward nor a top-four defenseman, their two clear targets heading into the summer”
And no matter how “greedy” or unrealistic Kovi’s might be, or how one tries to spin Rich’s comments above, the fact remains that the front office is failing this team and it’s fans so far. Whether they’re not prepared well enough, or not selling the franchise well enough, or not prioritizing their moves properly, they are NOT getting the job done so far. Excuses are just that.. excuses.
Bottom line. They sit WELL below the cap limit, and FINALLY are in a position to make a move, and yet here they sit once again, missing out on all of their targets. Sure, FA is just a week old, and “something” may happen and rosters are far from set for next year, but has Kings management really done anything to gain our blind optimism?
IMO , we’ll once again see the Kings with a ton of $$$ to spend, and once again lacking either the will to pull the trigger or the savvy to sell someone on their plan for the franchise.
Either way, just like the last 36, I’ll still be there this season with my jersey on. Waiting and hoping.
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Bottom line is, Lombardi can’t waste a whole lot of time fooling around with Kovalchuk.
Lombardi has a team to improve. If Kovalchuk is going to drag it out and become a gigantic distraction, we don’t need him anyway.
The good news is that the cap space is there and prospects who can be used as trade assets are also there. The Kings are in excellent position to deal.
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hiway39 Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 5:50 pm
@Pumpernicholl,
we’ve been in an “excellent position to deal” for a while now, and nothing doing. ray whitney was supposedly against moving to the west coast at the trade deadline, and now he’s in phoenix. we’re missing on kovy, and the fallback is rumored to be either lecavalier (at a ridiculous salary that somehow makes sense?!) or a damaged goods gagne that lombardi and hextall will only think of in terms of 5+ years ago…
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Matt George Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 5:54 pm
@hiway39,
Lecavelier is in no way a fall back .. I just can’t see Yzerman trading that guy after publicly backing him the way he did. Not to mention going on the record to say Vinny was part of Tampa’s future.
(of course, a trade to HELP tampa’s future just might provide the wiggle room for him)
Ray wanted a 2 or 3 year deal .. that’s common knowledge at this point … Ray is old. No Ray, bad Ray.
And Gagme? You got me on that one … don’t know enough about him but it’s a good point about the injuries.
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Pumpernicholl Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 5:59 pm
@hiway39, Would you rather NOT be in an excellent position to deal? I’m glad the Kings are still in that position.
Really the only sane response to a picky Kovalchuk is to say what Lombardi just said.
At this point if Kovalchuk wants what the Kings offered, then it’s I.K. who has to make the move now, hat in hand. Or else, “see ya.”
The last thing Lombardi should permit is for the Kings to get bent over by any player.
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Maybe Grossman is using the Isles deal as leverage and I think this is DL daring Kovalchuk to take the Islanders deal; when we all know that he probably really doesn’t want to play there. And if he does then we will know that he just wanted the money.
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Very interesting strategy maybe by DL. See this link for proof. http://www.islanderspointblank.com/
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My take on this is a DL bluffing big time. This either goes our way or backfires. I want Kovi bad, but I’m tired of how greedy he makes himself out to be. Either way, I’m happy. It’s not like I’m expecting a cup from this team this year. I’ll be just as happy to have us get to the playoffs back to back.
And please, no more dealing with Philly unless it’s Pronger for a draft pick. Fro before Gagne, Hartnell and especially Carter.
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brandyn Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 6:06 pm
@mrk,
“If you’re out of the bidding for a player, you just stop bidding. If you want to make a play, tell the media.” from Chris Botta twitter
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As Pumpernicholl says, there is a little time left and we have some resources.
We can still get a good defenceman (Boynton? Kaberle? If Dean wants to go bargain basement how about Hendry or Arron Johnson?).
I think Poni might look good on the left side of Zeus…
But where the 40-50 goals on the left side of of AK are going to come from, I have no idea.
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Bobby Ryan,and someone outside the Philly organization,than at the trade deadline,Zedeno Charra.
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Doc. Mark 1968 Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 6:05 pm
@Dominick,
I was going to say something about poaching Ryan as well but saw that he was a right winger, not a left.
If it is true that he wants “Perry type money,” that still would have been much less than Kovi.
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Dominick Reply:
July 5th, 2010 at 12:49 am
@Doc. Mark 1968,
Bobby Ryan is in fact a LW.I think he would fit perfectly on a line with Dustin Brown.
It might take some coercing to get the Ducks to trade to a rival competetor,so close a proximty to them selves,but it’s got to be cheaper than a cap hit of 8 to 10 mill for 8 to 10 years.
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Dominick Reply:
July 5th, 2010 at 12:52 am
@Doc. Mark 1968, http://forecaster.thehockeynews.com/hockeynews/hockey/player.cgi?4985
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I’d like to find out how much it would take to get Ziggy back.
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http://www.islanderspointblank.com/
Interesting post on a NYI blog about Dean’s comments!
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What a bunch of “Chicken Littles” we have as “Fans”?? The ice is melting, the ice is melting. One guy who thinks it’s his turn to bust the bank is not a TEAM player, I’d prefer we get 3 guys for the price of one and were team players and scored 30, 35-40 goals each and one could be a D-man with one heck’uva shot. He is not as someone has already suggested, as good an all around player as Crosby, Ovechkin, maybe Malkin,and Parise, I’m sure I may have missed someone else also. DL has done a great job building this team from absolutely zero,. Also a lot of you are without knowing it, slamming the guys we have here already, saying they aren’t good enough to go to the next step or two. You owe them an apology right now. They busted their asses for the fans and their teammates this past season and DL will do what is needed. PERIOD!!!
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shades Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 7:05 pm
@Old Time Hockey, Bullshit…Taylor selected several of the key players that got the Kings into the playoffs last season. DL may or may not be a decent GM but we’ll never know because his hands are tied by AEG.
And, they’ll be lucky to even make the playoffs again next year with what they have now…there is basically very little left. Let’s see DL work some magic via trades and get the Kings well into the playoffs…then I’ll admit he’s a decent GM. He’s done nothing as of yet!
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It’s concerning that so many “fans” have managed to miss the single most glaring need the Kings have; a true #1 or #2 center jarrett stoll is not the answer and Brayden Schenn is not ready to step in. Marc Savard, Jeff Carter, and Vinny Lecalvier are.
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Doc. Mark 1968 Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 6:41 pm
@David,
Please see the last part of Old Time Hockey’s post immediately above yours.
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David Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 7:05 pm
@David, I would love to have Savard on the team.
And the kings have a true #1 center in Kopi…
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mrk Reply:
July 5th, 2010 at 12:17 am
@David,
Wow. No Carter please. Some fans think Fro is bad. I tell you Carter is worse. The guy is just plain lazy.
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Sorry to break it to you Rich, but you aren’t getting any answers from DL. He’s playing Helene. He’s playing his game, and for the sake of all us Kings fans, let him be and let him do his job. Stop bugging him.
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did you guys really think that we were going to get him? We always are in talks with the big name players but we end up with nothing of course. New GM?
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What concerns me is that so many fans are chastising other fans as “fans”. Everyone here feels the same pain of being a kings fan. Your opinion is no more important that anyone else’s.
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“Source: Kings really want Kovalchuk badly, feel he’s exactly what they need…but cannot get him to drop below a contract request of $100 million. Kings feel they have made biggest offer they can without jeopardizing Drew Doughty and Jack Johnson extensions.”
-Elliotte Friedman
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It all makes sense though, why would Lombardi tell Helene something before Rich? Clearly because news spreads a lot quicker through the LA Times then through a blog.. I don’t know but this is going to be an interesting week
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It’s a team sport. If kovi doesn’t want to play on a
complete team, if he wants to hog the entire payroll… Well, then have fun golfing every April in long island. It sucks the kings missed out on others waiting for this ding dong, but oh well.
I’m still excited about next season…
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Unsubscribe.
You all are more melodramatic than a room full of teen girls.
See you in mid-September.
Go Kings.
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C’mon people…it’s not all hopeless! I understand that Modano, Nolan and Guerin are all still available!
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Lime Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 7:08 pm
@shades,
I agree. I’d take Modano for one year.
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shades Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 7:27 pm
@Lime, Actually, I was kidding…but if they could get Modano and add a couple of more guys like Savard, LeCavalier, etc…then we’d have something…
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Lime Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 8:13 pm
@shades, Vinny yes but would Yzerman relenquish his grip on his captain. I mean he’s locked in til ’19. But let’s see what Kovi does and how DL responds.
So I guess what they say is true Deano can’t land the big fish never has. Let’s hear more bs blah blah blah. Missed all the big UFA again.
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Maybe someone can tell me why Lombardi is being quoted by Helene in a Times article before Rich even knows what’s going on? Usually her stuff is a day behind Rich.
Lombardi has snubbed us, the real die hard fans, by not letting the us know what’s going on before spilling everything to the Times? Hate to say it, but when we didn’t sign him by day two, we lost our chance to pick up
a few good pieces for our team. Maybe there’s a lesson here Dean… PUT A TIME LIMIT ON THE OFFER AND WALK AWAY WHEN THE DEADLINE PASSES……
And if we didn’t need him bad enough to meet his price, then why did you let this thing drag out so that we couldn’t pick up anyone else? Three years in a row… ugh!
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F I.K.,
The Kings have improved season after season under DL and Co.
The guys are a year more mature. PLayoffs have been tasted, and there is now expectations to always be there for them,
I have NO DOUBT that if we make NO additions, this team will be fun to watch, and i WONT miss a game.
Loktionov,Schenn and any other rookie will entertain.
We will laugh and cry,.and in the end,.we are Kings fans.
We are used to losing, and we cant seriously expect to go for gold yet.
Im not expecting a cup this season,
im expecting Quick and Bernier to compete for a spot,
i expect Hickey to live up to the “off the charts” high draft pick expectations DL threw at him,
I expect Brown to start leading this team and grow into his leadership role,
I expect Drew Doughty to somehow improve his game..??.,
I expect Kopi to score 40!,
I expect us to support the team, no matter WHO is on it,
and lets just accept what the Kings are to everybody,
the Clippers of the NHL,..the permanent UNDERDOG,.
thats fine,.lets play.
Kovalchuk is no answer. Not now, not ever.
We need 4 solid lines, not 2 great ones.
Lets just let the kids play, make a few minor signings to make the squad better,
maybe a decent litle trade,.if it makes the team better,
and sit back and watch hockey and feel fortunate we are on the up and up.
Happy 4th
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Too many Kings fans are happy with baby steps, when other teams are taking leaps. Granted the Blackhawks have traded away role players, they still won the cup, something we have never done. We will be losing veterans like Handzus soon, let Frolov go, We can let go of aging veterans like Smyth go later and replace them with Loktionovs and Schenn.
Thanks for signing Stoll and Justin Williams to long terms DL. Too much emphasis on role players who are easily exchangeable look at the Lakers.
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How is Kopitar not a top 6 forward, and Doughty/Johnson not a top 4 defenceman? I can maybe see Johnson not being top 4, but he certainly will be.
It’s not bad as it looks. The Kings did pretty well last season with out a Kovalchuck caliber player. I don’t think they need a player like him, but a few more bodies to fill a few holes. A defenceman would be good, but they need to bring in a scorer… or Frolov for
< $1M
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@why kings why, Your Panthers are the ones who are irrelevant now.
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