I’m aware of the Twitter report from Rogers Sportsnet’s Daren Millard that the Kings have won “the process” for Ilya Kovalchuk and will announce tomorrow. No confirmation yet. One strong team source has just said that there is “continued engagement,” but that no announcement is imminent. Updates will be forthcoming if necessary.
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I hope its true then all this kovi stuff will be over with!
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Will not believe till I read from Rich… thanks for all your efforts.
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The Jumping Shrimp Reply:
July 12th, 2010 at 4:35 am
@Section 103 Fan,
I wouldn’t read too much into this unless it comes from Bob McKenzie. I’m having a little trouble trying to understand how Millard has the scoop on this and still no word from McKenzie.
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Darren Millard has an actual reputation at stake unlike certain anonymous bloggers with Swedish nicknames. I doubt Mr. Millard would tweet such a “matter of fact” statement unless he had serious sources to back up the claim.
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tantrum4 Reply:
July 11th, 2010 at 3:15 pm
@Jonathan,
I totally agree 100%
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PRMan Reply:
July 11th, 2010 at 8:03 pm
@Jonathan,
I didn’t realize SuxBeingU was Swedish…
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Won? If true. Hopefully DL didn’t break the bank. I’m sure he didn’t though. The kings young guys are more important than one so called super star. Kovi better not disturb the chemistry that the kings have been building. Time will tell either way. Go kings!
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john Reply:
July 11th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
@Snoop dogg,
A “socalled superstar”.?? Really??? Since the lockout he is only behind OVECHKIN in goals scored, and has never played with a legit line, center, or even a legit team.
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KC23 Reply:
July 11th, 2010 at 6:28 pm
@john,
Devils are very much a legit team, but other than that your point is well taken.
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John Reply:
July 11th, 2010 at 8:33 pm
@KC23,
Yup, and i beleive he had something like 27 points in 27 games on a defensive team. I like that.
54FIGHTING Reply:
July 11th, 2010 at 8:48 pm
@john,
I see what you are saying but some of it is just wrong. He’s played in Atlanta with some pretty good linemates. Heatley, Hossa, Bondra and Savard. They also brought in guys to play with him like Tkachuk, Recchi. The problem is more that Atlanta never really put it all together. I would say a line with Kovi / Savard and Hossa would be pretty darn good.
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flex Reply:
July 11th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
@Snoop dogg, why you keep buying the crup about ..bank. This guy is worthed…not 10m for sure,but around 8m is fair and the good news is the team would have enough money for other kids.
..Hey.next two days expect the GOOD news about King KOVI.
Today ,i am happy for ESPANIA…they deserve it
with good ,balanced ,talentet team.Ugly game (because of duch continusly nasty play(aganst brazil,against spain),but fair end. Spain is World champion….and LA Kings and Kovi are potential stanley cup winner!!!
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shades Reply:
July 12th, 2010 at 7:01 am
@Snoop dogg, I really disagree about the whole cap issue that most of the people here are talking about.
The Kings can afford to give up on Simmonds and Johnson if necessary! Wouldn’t they do so for Ovechkin? YES!
Now, I’m not saying that Kovi is Ovechkin but for the right person, the Kings can make cap space.
Is Kovi the right person? I really don’t know. In my last post about this I said let him go somewhere else because he will be POISON to whoever gets him because of this protracte negotiation.
On the other hand, if he only gets what DL wanted to give him in the first place and DL is convinced that he will fit in, personnel-wise, then I guess we’ll all find out.
It’s kind of exciting to think of him out there with Kopitar and maybe Smyth in front of the net and on the power play with Kopi and Doughty and the rest.
But, this guy really puts a scare into me about the team chemistry issue.
Bottom line…I’d rather see the Kings playing with him, than without and take a chance because without him I don’t see the Kings doing much better than last year…nobody on the team is going to be that much better than they were last year.
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I’m kinda hoping this is true, but more because we’re just tired of this rather than that we’d actually want him.
Though really, until he signs a piece of paper and holds up a Kings jersey at a press conference with his name and #71 on the back (I assume Simmonds won’t give up #17; he has team seniority, although may choose to go to the #57 he wore in camp before his rookie season), I won’t believe this.
Although this is coming from somebody from Rogers Sportsnet Central in Canada, which I would tend to trust more than the NY Post when it comes to hockey.
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daniel Reply:
July 12th, 2010 at 12:32 am
@Kevin Y, No. we all want him. He will score goals and Kopitar will get 120 points. Tes!
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I posted this 10 mins ago and it never was posted????? You you pick what post can be posted?
Anyways. Millard is a credible source, I don’t think he would be announcing this unless it wasn’t true.
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How reliable has Millard beenso far with Kovy? How reliable is he with other situations?
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Kevin Y Reply:
July 11th, 2010 at 3:21 pm
@Cameron,
I’m not sure ANYBODY was been “reliable” when it comes to this Kovy situation… it’s really as if the last 10 days were a figment of our imaginations.
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tantrum4 Reply:
July 11th, 2010 at 3:28 pm
@Cameron,
So far he’s only tweeted stuff that was already confirmed. He’s not a rumour monger by any means..
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I am sooo freaking excited!!!!! Please don’t break my heart Kovy
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iggy99 Reply:
July 11th, 2010 at 3:51 pm
@josh,
im super excited too
go kings go
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Mcdonalds Reply:
July 11th, 2010 at 4:15 pm
@iggy99, Same here, this got my blood
pumping. Pleeeease let it be true!
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Thanks for the additional info, Rich.
Millard has a good reputation, but the only way we’ll know for sure is at an official announcement. I’m not gonna lie, I’m just about ready to crack one open and celebrate the mere IDEA that it could be over soon.
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I was at select a seat yesterday and took my son on the locker room tour. On the white board in the room was written: “Kovalchuk signs with KHL for 8 years and 980 million.”
I hope that’s true. (of course it’s not though) I’m sick to death of all this. This guy is a prima donna who has never won anything and he’s going to come in here for a career payday. Bad for team chemistry, bad for team unity. Maybe the “core” has made it clear they want him (I doubt it) and if so, then we’ll see. But I have a very bad feeling about this guy.
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tantrum4 Reply:
July 11th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
@fourtunato,
I’m pretty sure the “core” would love to have this guy. Hockey players aren’t football or basketball players, they don’t really care if someone is making more than them on the team. They just want whoever, and whatever it takes to win a Stanley Cup. All I’ve heard about Kovi from former teammates and coaches is that he’s a great guy in the room, and will do anything it takes to win. We are going to be AWESOME this year if the report is true!
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fourtunato Reply:
July 11th, 2010 at 3:33 pm
@tantrum4,
I truly hope you are correct. I’d love to be cheering him and the Kings all season.
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Bryan Agee Reply:
July 11th, 2010 at 4:54 pm
Something worth noting…look at his track record…he really isn’t injury prone which is a huge +
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mrbrett7 Reply:
July 12th, 2010 at 12:31 am
@Bryan Agee, Players who don’t put themselves in harms way to win games don’t get hurt.
Kovi doesn’t put himself in harms way in order to win games, ergo, he doesn’t get hurt.
Just sayin’…
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john Reply:
July 11th, 2010 at 8:42 pm
@fourtunato,
Remember the year end interviews where brown and kopi said for christmas they would like a big leftwinger??? Im sure theyd welcome him with open arms. The only bigger lw in the league is ovechkin. Cant go wrong.
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Good grief.
The Kovalchuck saga has seemed to last longer than the Kings Cup drought
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i dont even want him anymore he’s a complete hot headed idiot
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Jonathan Reply:
July 11th, 2010 at 3:29 pm
@andy,
Yes, trying to figure out what your family’s station in life is going to be for the next decade is something that requires hours of consideration, not one week.
My guess is Ilya has been largely absent from discussions entrusting his agent to act on his behalf – because creating a media frenzy and bouncing teams off one another in an effort to generate a bidding war is COMPLETELY UNPRECEDENTED.
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Stonewall Reply:
July 11th, 2010 at 3:32 pm
@Jonathan, This.
I’d be taking my time too with such a big decision.
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Dayman Reply:
July 11th, 2010 at 3:29 pm
@andy,
how is he hot-headed? Kovy has not said one word. You know, it could be his agent causing all the drama.
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RICH,
I SAW MILLARDS POSTING ON TWITTER. IF ITS COMING FROM SPORTSNET YOU CAN COUNT ON IT BEING DONE. DL AND GROSSMAN HAVE PROBABLY AGREED NOT TO SHARE THERE DIRTY LAUNDRY WITH THE MEDIA.
THIS IS ALL HUSH HUSH UNTIL TOMORROW. KOVY WANTS TO GET THIS PROCESS DONE SO HE CAN FIND A HOME AND GET COMFORTABLE BEFORE TRAINING CAMP.
LET OUR FRANCHISE RISE TOMORROW AND BRING PAIN TO THE REST OF THE NHL.
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kingfish Reply:
July 11th, 2010 at 4:51 pm
@STEVE,
“LET OUR FRANCHISE RISE TOMORROW AND BRING PAIN TO THE REST OF THE NHL.”
here here..
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Ten days of ‘wtf’ for 50 goals? I’ll take it.
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Who Knows? Reply:
July 11th, 2010 at 3:33 pm
@Stonewall, Agreed.
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Reality Reply:
July 11th, 2010 at 3:34 pm
@Stonewall, I lol’d
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KC23 Reply:
July 11th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
@Stonewall,
quote: “Ten days of ‘wtf’ for 50 goals? I’ll take it.”
Best comment of them all. Well said. This year is gonna be fun.
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Kwaz Reply:
July 11th, 2010 at 11:59 pm
@Stonewall,
Agreed.
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Is the Third Time a Charm? We will see tomorrow. I think this saga needs to end soon.
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Kovi will sign up with a team he feels is serious about him and a contender.
Nice try DL, but Kovi is out of your league. Stick with the Kyle Calders and Ladislav Nagys. They’re more in your leaugue.
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fourtunato Reply:
July 11th, 2010 at 3:35 pm
@anthony,
ANTHONY!!!! YOUR BACK. MY GOD I’VE MISSED YOUR INSIGHTFUL COMMENTARY!!!
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DoitKings Reply:
July 11th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
@anthony, Does your kids and/or grandkids REALLY like you?
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BringBackTheShieldJersey Reply:
July 11th, 2010 at 6:19 pm
@anthony,
gotta be a different Anthonyy. The real Anthonyy is barred from the site having lost his bet that POS would out-goal Justin Williams. I do miss Anthonyy though. It’s always good to have someone crazier than oneself around to make one seem moderate and rational.
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OneTimer Reply:
July 11th, 2010 at 11:43 pm
@anthony,
It’s great! to read your comm- (*scratch*)
It’s great! to read your comm- (*scratch*)
It’s great! to read your comm- (*scratch*)
It’s great! to read your comm- (*scratch*)
It’s great! to read your comm- (*scratch*)
It’s great! to read your comm- (*scratch*)
It’s great! to read your comm- (*scratch*)
It’s great! to read your comm- (*scratch*)
It’s great! to read your comm- (*scratch*)
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You guys who dont want them are amazing to me!
Consider that DL has not sold out the future
That means a first line and powerplay with Kopi, Kovy, Smyth, Doughty, JJ, Freaking best 1st line/PP in NHL baby!
Having kovy is going to completely change Kopi, he has had to battle for every inch out there. Now he is going to be able to dominate!
I cant wait for this to happen and for the season to start.
KINGS FOR CUP 2011
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Fourtunato Reply:
July 11th, 2010 at 3:36 pm
@Stillkingly,
I hope you’re right. I hope I hope I hope.
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YES!!!!!!!
I’m going to go ahead and get excited…
KOVI-KOPI-???
any ideas?
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Nick Reply:
July 11th, 2010 at 3:40 pm
@Todd M., Kovi-Kopi-Smyth
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Kevin Y Reply:
July 11th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
@Todd M.,
Simmonds!
That would be the best line we could have, but in all honesty, I think I might want to see Williams up there for no other reason than to balance it out. Have Smyth-Handzus/Stoll-Simmonds, and you have a true Top 6.
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We don’t know what exactly has happened with this process no matter where Kovi ends up. How much was team(s) management, his agent, him or even the NHL itself (working the publicity angles) for all this drama? Unless you have wiretaps and were in the room with the parties, don’t assume anything.
If it’s true and he is with LA, good for us! We will have a strong piece to our puzzle that’s taken 44 years to complete- The Stanley Cup.
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Did somebody say Lord Stanley is coming to L.A. and he’s bringing his cup with him?
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TO ALL THE KINGS FAN WHO DID NOT WANT A GUY LIKE DANY HEATLEY BECAUSE OF HIS CHARACTER ISSUES FORGET YOU. YOU DONT KNOW JACK.
KOVY IS A TEAM PLAYER AND WILL MAKE THIS TEAM 100 PERCENT BETTER ON AREAS WE ARE LACKING I.E. 5 ON 5 PLAY.
IF SOME OF YOU DO NOT REALIZE THIS IS WHERE THE CANCUKS BEAT US.
IF MILLARD IS CORRECT THE ONLY THING NOW LEFT TO DO IS GET THAT PUCK MOVING DMAN AND TRADE STOLL AND WILLIAMS.
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matthew barry Reply:
July 11th, 2010 at 4:39 pm
@STEVE, IF SOME OF YOU DO NOT REALIZE THIS IS WHERE THE CANCUKS BEAT US. Um no, Steve. It was Quick who couldn’t stop a shot over his shoulder, not the 5 on 5 play.
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kingfish Reply:
July 11th, 2010 at 5:02 pm
@STEVE,
I think we should keep stoll until schenn is ready. I wouldnt care if we loose willy. Maybe fro could play RW on the line with Kovy and Kopy. I hope we can pick up fro for a good price. do you think we need anoher puck moving d-man? doughty johnson and even scuds move the puck well. I think we need another d-man like green who will hit the crap out of people and pin them into the boards
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Hoe.
Lee.
Sheet?
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I know it’s Sunday but let’s get 500 comments today.
and oh yeah, I ain’t believing anything!
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Enough already. Just start the rumors of who we are trying to trade for now and to get that top 3-4 defenseman. Why were sleeping on the d-man that SJ has tendered an offer too? Seems like a good one. 6’3 stay at home guy.
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socalkings Reply:
July 11th, 2010 at 4:03 pm
@Rjb,
Let’s not forget forwards, what would it take to get Sharp out of Chicago?
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I will believe it when I see it! Hey Rich, how much of a raise are you going to get when your contract expires? I am willing to bet more than Kovi with all your hard work!!!!
Go Kings!!!!
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Holy tomato batman!!!!
I am besides myself!!!
Finally we got the sniper we needed.
I trust in DL.
Seriously all you losers that are dumping on Kovi can not be Kings fan.
This guy has let it been known from the start that he only wants to be a King and King’s player HE IS.
Man I thing I got to trash my place and throw a fiesta.
Way down in LA,they be dancing in the streets.
Fiesta a party ALL NIGHT LONG ALL NIGHT ALL NIGHT.
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I am so glad I decided to only check in every 24 hours or so now, makes my life so much less stressful!
I don’t give a sh*t about anything related to this debacle until it’s “officially” announced by Rich or the Kings.
Go Kings, Go Rich, not necessarily in that order.
Off to BBQ with my family, until tomorrow!
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If this latest rumor is true, do you kings fans think we will get another forward or just try and get another D-Man? We need some big bad asses on the D-line who are willing to drop the gloves. Rich as always dam fine job; best is all sports. Go KIngs
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We’ll see tomorrow if Lombardi pulled off something great, or if sportsnet has things all messed up.
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I do not want a 6.5 million cap hit following the kings for the next 15 years.
That being said, IF DL took this gamble then he is making a statement that our window is open, and wants to shove as many Stanley Cups through it before it closes.
So many questions though.
With Kovi, can we put out 2 complete top lines?
DD and JJ have matured enough to make our D playoff strong?
Will our goaltenders push each other to become all-star caliber?
Watch out for those clouds, Let the Purple Reign Begin!!
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On Sunday 11th July 2010, @DarrenDreger said:
Lombardi tells TSN. “Ilya Kovalchuk is coming to Los Angeles for face to face discussions, just like any free agent would. We are a long way from agreeing on a contract.”
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Scootty Reply:
July 11th, 2010 at 4:13 pm
@Who Knows?,
Ohhhh…..Dean, Dean, Dean, Dean. Come on. You actually expect us to believe that? He’s on his way here so you can have him sign on the dotted line and schedule a press conference for tomorrow.
We don’t expect you to come out and say it, but we all know.
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GO KINGS!!!
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TSN says Kovy coming to LA for a meeting. Should we greet him at LAX
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TSN reporting that Kovalchuk is coming to LA for face to face. Lombardi says “long way from agreeing on a contract”.
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“Ilya Kovalchuk is coming to Los Angeles for face to face discussions, just like any free agent would. We are a long way from agreeing on a contract.” – Dean Lombardi.
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leBrun twitter: For all those asking, yes – Kings and Kovalchuk are talking again.
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Dreger just tweeted that Kovi is coming for a face to face with Lombardi and that we are still a ways from agreeing on a contract.
I bet an airline employee tipped off Millard letting him know that Kovi was headed to LA..hahaha
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this is from tsn.
“Ilya Kovalchuk is coming to Los Angeles for face to face discussions, just like any free agent would. We are a long way from agreeing on a contract,” general manager Dean Lombardi told TSN.
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DLB Reply:
July 11th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
How common is that, though? Not that it can’t be true.
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By no means a confirmation…but nevertheless pretty funny!!
http://prosportsblogging.com/nhl-hockey/around-the-rinks/the-decision-ilya-kovalchuk-edition/
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When will it end….no deal for now.
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They can’t announce it today. There wasn’t quite enough time to get the hour-long TV special together.
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It can only mean good things that he is willing to come to LA for a face to face meeting. Hopefully they will take him out and show him around and how amazing that LA can be for him and his family. I would love to wake up to seeing him signed long term, along with a Dewy extension as well!!! MAKE IT HAPPEN DL!!!!
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Rich gets the good info. Anyone noticed Helene Elliot hasn’t posted anything on her Twitter.
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“We are a long way from agreeing on a contract”
that’s not a confirmed denial that they won’t sign him tomorrow. that’s a very vague statement in an attempt to not announce anything today. 12 hours is a “long way” depending on your frame of mind.
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Today is day of ESPANIA !! WORLD CAMpeone(OR something like that)
Maniana..is day of Kovi the KING
Kovi Kopi Williams Simmonds…120 Goal line !!!
I said before…someting is cooking.I hope this guy gets a fair contract.We need Kovi in good mood.
Man,expect to see some GOOD Hockey…Kings are winners in Pacific, winners of conference…winner of Stanley…
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I’ll believe it when I see it.
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Sounds promising to me!
I will be up early online waiting to see what Rich has to tell us.
Go Kings Go!
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Long way from signing? … yes, about 3,000 miles which he’ll reduce to none in 5 hours or so. He is coming for the press conference as I’m sure Luc will want to milk this press conference for everything its worth.
Life is good in King’s land.
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“The on-again, off-again contract talks between Ilya Kovalchuk and the Los Angeles Kings are back on again and this time they’ll be in person.
There was one report Sunday that said the Kings would announce his signing Monday but the Kings say that’s not true.
“Ilya is coming out to LA,” Kings GM Dean Lombardi told ESPN.com Sunday night. “We’re going to meet face to face. But reports that we are announcing his signing tomorrow are utterly and completely false. We have no deal. We’re not even close. I mean, who knows, maybe we’ll get close tomorrow but we have no deal right now.”
Ilya’s comin’ !
Should we have Three Dog Night record a new tune?
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This just in… DL says for the –th time we are out of it.
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Maybe he’s here to decide if it’s worth it to live at a beachside home in the Palisades for $1 Millions less per year that he’d get from Jersey, where he would get to live next to a landfill!
Someone mentioned above that it may be the agent that’s calling the shots about the $10 mil a year issue, but still, many players are a reflection of their agent.
Look at some of the ball players represented by Scott Boras…they are mostly jerks, just like their agent!
(please dont ask for citations…I don’t have the time…look it up-sorry)
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If we land Kovi, our lines would look like this…
Kovalchuck – Kopitar – Williams
Smyth – Stoll/Schenn – Brown
Richardson – Handzus – Simmonds
Parse – Moller – Clune
Maybe Cliche or Westgarth would slip onto the 4th line.
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