In some actual Kings news, Marc-Andre Cliche accepted his qualifying offer yesterday. He will make $660,000 next season and is eligible to become a restricted free agent again next summer. I thought about going with a “Kings sign forward” headline, but decided I didn’t want to deal with the bomb threats.
I’ve not heard of any changes on the Kovalchuk front today. Sides still talking, no indication that anything is imminent.
Good for Cliche…. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz on Kovalchuk!
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 11:18 am
@dana,
More like a low-grade Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz on Kovalchuk…
Like the sound of a million termites eating away at the dead wood between the ears of DL and a certain Player agent…
Good work, if you can get it. Takes time, though…
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Wise choice Rich, wise choice.
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we should make campaign buttons that say “we like IK(e)”
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gralx Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 12:02 pm
@shakes, or should it read “we like IK(e4)”? lol
[Reply]
Gary Livingston Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
@gralx,
Could you explain the e4 type references I see pop up?
Thanks =)
[Reply]
gralx Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 3:02 pm
@Gary Livingston, it’s an Eklund reference… he likes to rate his rumors. I don’t know exactly how they go, but I do know that an e4 is pretty high on his scale… just a funny poke…
LOL, good call Rich. Very cruel and funny for you to think that way. I may have shat myself.
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Thanks for the update Rich! If you would have went with that title I know my heart rate would drastically increase! haha
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…KABOOM!!!
Is this a two-way contract?
[Reply]
Sydor25 Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 11:33 am
@YES on 19,
Yes.
$660,000 NHL
$62,500 AHL
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LBlocal Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 12:40 pm
@Sydor25, A good value contract for a player being considered as the 10-11 4th line center.
gkg!
[Reply]
Honestly what is there left to talk about with IK?
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BlackNBlue23 Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 11:27 am
@SLOKing, Hey SLO…Paso fan here. I think they are now in negotiations on a singing contract with Mrs. Kovalchuk from what iv’e read.
http://www.nesn.com/2010/07/islanders-fans-may-be-lucky-they-are-missing-out-on-ilya-kovalchuk.html
[Reply]
BlackNBlue23 Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 11:29 am
@SLOKing, Sorry wrong article…
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/420995-2010-nhl-free-agency-oh-man-not-again-ilya-kovalchuk-updates
[Reply]
lenman Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 12:51 pm
@SLOKing, The answer is nothing. I have sat back and took in ALL the questions and comments and I now say if MONEY is the issue, sad to say but I don’t want him. Would his skill help the Kings, of course. But what does it say to the rest of the team when someone puts dollar signs before them. LA has a very promising young team, a great practice facility, and a great arena. Not to mention the great weather and its surroundings. What more do you want? One player DOES NOT make a team!!! I say IK sign the contract or get out of the way so DL can more forward and work on putting together the rest of the pieces of the puzzle.
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thanks for quashing those msnbc rumors, Rich… man, I really hope something happens today (at the very least the announcement of a press conference).
oh, and congrats to cliche
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“Sides still talking”
As far as I’m concerned … that’s all the confirmation I need.
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Like always Rich, thanks for your time. I for one thought that you should have led with that headline…imagine the chaos!!!
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Rich,
Any word on Frolov? If we can’t sign Kovi, do you think Dean Lombardi will have any interest in signing him? Thanks!
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Doughty99 Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 11:36 am
@Robitaillefan,
His agent tweeted “there’s a 99% chance Fro doesn’t return to the Kings.” If I’ve learned anything from the past two weeks, it’s to believe everything an agents writes. And if it’s on Twitter?! Take it to the bank!
[Reply]
Robitaillefan Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
@Doughty99
True, agents could be wrong (i.e. Grossman). hahaha!
More than two weeks later…nothing!
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If they signed Kovalchuk, do you guys really think the headline would have read ‘Kings sign forward’?
haha I highly dou(gh)t it!
But a good signing for sure. I like Cliche.
[Reply]
Capt Jam Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 2:55 pm
@kevin from toronto,
Good (and obvious) point. But it does bring an interesting element to all this. If and when this deal happens, I suspect every headline writer outside of LA will go with something like “Kovalchuk signs with/chooses LA” while around here it will be “Kings sign Kovalchuk”.
One has the team first, the other goes with the player first. I suspect that won’t be the last time that issue is raised here if Kovalchuk becomes a King.
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Wow. The “K” word is already polluting this thread. Looking forward to seeing what Cliche can do for us this year!
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are they “talking” in one-word sentences…?
geez…!
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 11:23 am
@V,
Yep.
Like, “9.75 for the first year, 2.25 for the seventh?”
Pause, for 3-4 hours…
“Nope, 9.95, and 2.5, let me check…”
Pause, for 5-6 hours…
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variable Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 11:34 am
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy,
yeah…
i’ve never felt so connected…
-…RICH, pierre, burnside, dreger, bobby msc…-
yet…
i’ve never felt so far away…
[Reply]
BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 11:43 am
@V,
No matter where they go,
Here we are…
–I’ve been everywhere….
http://s0.ilike.com/play#Johnny+Cash:I‘ve+Been+Everywhere:24965:s1074664.8122796.2233175.0.2.72%2Cstd_9992277238704893b0d66d84ec8b801c
variable Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 11:43 am
@variable,
ooops…bobby mac…not bobby msc…
…KABOOM!!!
Is this a two-way contract?
[Reply]
Doughty99 Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 11:41 am
@YES on 19,
good question.
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YES on 19 Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 11:52 am
@YES on 19, Oops, I see my post got posted earlier. Sorry for the multiple posting. I was surprised to see MA’s figure for the AHL. Is there a minimum AHL salary?
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Rich, I think you need to go on a vacation. I bet the news will break on Kovi the day your vacation starts.
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Freddy Fingers Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 11:52 am
@Jim K,
I think Rich has been on vacation the last two weeks. zzzzzzzzzzz
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Looks like great news coming our way.
http://twitter.com/RealKyper/
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gralx Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
@TG, old news
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Cliche on Board
I thought this was an off-season story about Cliche learning to surf…
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Dean : “Hey”
Jay : “Sup”
Dean : “We gonna do this”
Jay : “Hmmm”
Dean : “…”
progessssssss
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will this ever end. Someone wake me up. found this on yahoo sports.
For what it’s worth, Nick Kypreos of Sportsnet is reporting that a Kovalchuk deal with the Los Angeles Kings is “close.” But this saga has teased us more than the “Hit Me Baby, One More Time” video played on a continuous 24-hour loop, so who knows?
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Wow, 660,000 to play “minor” league hockey. Not bad, not bad at all. It takes me 10 years to see that kind of paper. Congrats Cliche!
Richardson is a must sign. Hope things don’t get ugly here.
“Bomb threats” hahahaha. Thanks for the laugh Rich.
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holly Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
@Duckhunter,
That’s his NHL take home. If he spends the season in the AHL, he won’t get that.
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Four words:
May Cliche be healthy…
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This signing seems very trite and hackneyed.
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 11:39 am
@Robert,
Ha! I said, “Ha!”
May all your ‘e’s be ‘ay’s…
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DougS Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
@Robert,
For the longest time, I thought for sure that was how to pronounce his last name. I remember when he got called up, and Bob and Jim started talking about this guy “Cleesh.” It took me well into the second period to figure it out.
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This is a good deal. This kid will be a solid NHL player.
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Let’s hope Kypreos is right!!
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If Ilya signs, the stars at Staples would be Kovi, Kopi & Kobe
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sounds promising……. http://newyork.sbnation.com/2010/7/5/1553273/report-kovalchuk-gets-7-year-deal
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Bonvivant1 Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 1:46 pm
@v918, This is the same New York Post, a Rupert Murdoch publication, that ran a story about Jihad monkeys being trained to kill American soldiers in Afganistan?
Is this a credible paper?
[Reply]
Danielle Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 2:10 pm
@Bonvivant1,
Oh, maybe we should sign a couple of those Jihad monkeys and send after Grossman? Only, one should be trained not to kill, but to hold out a contract. If his client doesn’t sign, the monkeys attack.
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I honestly think Kovalchuk will be wearing our LA jersey. It is just a matter of when..
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Bomb threats… that was funny. I didn’t know Rich had a sense of humor.
I read somewhere that Kovi’s wife wants to be a singer. Done deal. Only thing she would be singing in Newark would be…”whyyyyy didddddn’tttt weeeee goooo toooo LAAAAAAAAAAA”
So many people are complaining about him waiting. It stinks but this is the rest of his and his families life. It’s a pretty huge deal. There isn’t much that you can buy with 100 million that you can’t buy with 85 million.
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Good one Rich!
On one hand you have to love all the blog interest this Kovalchuk is generating. Its summer and I’m check in the blog more than ever.
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Pretty sure IK has already set a guiness world record for number of threads hijacked.
thanks for the update on Cliche, Rich. Nice and easy sign for LA. Hopefully Deano can get Richardson done quickly to a 3-4 year deal.
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My sources tell me that Kovalchuk waited till this weekend to sign so that I will be the last one to find out about it, since I will be out camping with no cell reception.
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KC23 Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
@Sebastian,
Couldn’t of you gone camping a couple of weeks ago?
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5holer Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 4:40 pm
@Sebastian, You got it all right except one thing. You’ll be the first to know cause Kovy is out their camping with DL and you are sure to run into them at the camp fire. Bring your cigars to celebrate. Its a Boy, Its a Kovy!
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In the off-topic but interesting category:
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=534517&navid=DL|NHL|home
Cool article on all the great 21 and under players in the league. Huge props for Doughty.
In a couple years they’ll be saying the Islanders will be the next Kings.
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LOL!! Kovi dosen’t like to be hit. he goes out of his way to find the guy and drop the gloves. Check out his fights on you tube and see.
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When he signs, maybe the Mrs. can sign the national anthem on our first home game. Probably she is waiting for a deal too? Still talking is good than none.
Wish we can sign Frolov also, but think he will fall in the others footsteps in the KHL
@Rich, I was reading sources about a lockout in a couple of years. And that’s part of the reason IK hasn’t signed as of yet. Do you have any information on that regarding any kind of lockout?
Can’t stand baseball, still waiting for frozen fury! Anyone going to the Kings fan fest?
[Reply]
LVKINGS88 Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 12:21 pm
@Pat, I’m going,unfortunatly I live in Vegas.
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jet Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
@LVKINGS88, good to hear someone still lives there.
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Danielle Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 2:12 pm
@Pat,
Not just NHL, but the NFL and NBA are on the brink of lockouts over salary issues as well.
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“have been hearing past few days Kings and Kovalchuk are “closer” but not done because of some issues…trying to learn what “issues” are… ”
helene elliot
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Rich, You should make a plan to re-visit all the blog postings since July 1 next year on July 1. There has really been some funny and memorable input from Kings fans waiting for IK to sign. It would be great after a year passes to read the postings again. Hopefully, we will have actually signed IK and won the Stanley Cup. Thanks again for making the summer bearable. Spacia!
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Rich any Truth to some of the rumors that AEG is pushing Lombardi on a deal that he does not agree with on Kovalchuk?
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Dan H. Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 12:26 pm
@Django65,
Link please?
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Django65 Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
@Dan H.
No Link, Just some something i have been reading on other boards. I figure it’s b.s like
most rumors, but thought i would ask anyway.
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Glad that DL is sticking to his guns but I think he should pull stakes on these talks and move on. No matter what salary or length of contract that might finally be agreed upon it will no doubt cause unfavorable compromises down the line. I like Kovy and would like to see him in a King’s uni as much as anyone else but IMO the risk is not worth the reward. The Hawk’s still need to shed some salary to get under the cap so put together a package for Patrick Sharp. He’s obviously no Kovy but he’s a top 6 winger, can also play center and would look good paired up with Brown.
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I just heard that the kings are trying to work something out with Kovi…The snag in the deal is that he wants his own VODKA named after him and DL is having trouble getting management on board! “ABSOLUTE KOVI” As in absolute D-WAD!!
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I hope sportsnet is right on this as kypreos went out on a limb, a bit, to proclaim the large stumbling blocks have been rectified.
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http://www.northumberlandnews.com/sports/article/158477
nice article on Justin Williams
[Reply]
Freddy Fingers Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 12:51 pm
@txkingsfan,
Nice article…it’s good to remember that Williams in only 28. Hopefully, he stays healthy…
[Reply]
sstephen17 Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
@Freddy Fingers, I like how Williams plays when he’s healthy. I’ll have to admit that he is injury prone but at the start of the season, his line with Kopitar and Smyth was very prolific. I watched the game when he injured his ankle and really felt bad for him. Last thing an injury prone guy needs is a freak injury.
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I think he will sign tomorrow.. the 17th day. The number 17 has been lucky for him. Its the number he would want to wear.
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mendola Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 3:42 pm
He wont wear #17 because Simmonds already has it. Kovi will probably switch to #71 instead. I sure hope he signs before the 71st day lol.
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Can someone tell me, is this the guy that broke his collar bone during training camp two years ago after a questionable check from behind. I was standing two feet from the boards and saw his face go SPLAT right into the glass.
Anyways, was this him or was that someone else?
[Reply]
DougS Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
@EASportsMgt,
I think maybe you’re thinking about Clune?
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LBlocal Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
@EASportsMgt, It was Cliche. And, The Goat was the culprit. =/
Who’s worse.. RJones or DGauthier?
gkg!
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Tookie Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
@LBlocal,
What’s worse?
A bullet to the front of the head, or one to the back of the head?
[Reply]
EASportsMgt Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
@LBlocal,
That’s right it was Cliche and DGauthier nailed him from behind. He stood there for a few minutes shaking his head after.
[Reply]
this is clever and funny
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I hear the stumbling block is the request for a large “bonus”payment in the proposed lockout year (’12-’13?) in exchange for a low salary that season.
Reasoning being, if there is a work stoppage, Salaries aren’t guaranteed for the lost season or games. Bonuses are. Hamhuis got a similar bonus clause in his deal with Vancouver for the lockout year.
perhaps AEG said “what the heck – we’ll do it” and now they are working on small stuff.
[Reply]
Sounds like it’s time for a Kovy signing pool.
Must guess the date and the $ amount without going over, closest guesser is the winner.
[Reply]
Bobo Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 1:42 pm
@Ed,
July 17, 2010 12 years 78 Million.
[Reply]
sstephen17 Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
@Ed, I think it will be 12 years for $82 million.
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jet Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 2:30 pm
@Ed, 7years, 50M
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Mike L Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
@Ed,
July 18th, 2010. 9 years 66 million
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sammuch Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 4:34 pm
@Ed,
7 years 55 mil
or
12 years 80 mil
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Nice article by Elliotte Friedman, good read about Kovi.
enjoy addicts…
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/blogs/elliottefriedman/2010/07/kovalchuks-endgame-draft-divers-and-30-thoughts.html
[Reply]
Back to everyone’s favorite subject IK.
Helene from the times tweeted that she hears Kings and IK closer but that there are “issues”
I was told those issues are the same ones as before. Large bonus for 2012-13 season.
I was also told that the structuring is similar to Koivu’s deal. 2010-11 he makes more, 2011-12 he makes a lot, but 2012-13 it goes down a lot and offset by a large bonus which is payable regardless of a lock out.
This is more speculation than fact I’m told but it wouldn’t be surprising to see it become the final numbers.
Also, I can tell you that my agent friend believes it is not merely a matter of “if” but more a matter of “when” the deal with the Kings get done. That is unless someone else like NJ steps up and changes their offer, then it would be up to DL to decide to meet Kovi’s current demand or walk away.
[Reply]
Dan H. Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
@EASportsMgt,
Sounds like Helene is tweeting what she gets from other twitter accounts.
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Newf Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
@EASportsMgt, that deal looks like it’s structured pretty well in regards to the CBA and possibility of a lockout. i like it. i’d have no issues with him getting say 7-8.5 mil this year and even 10 the year after….if it drops down after that, the kings could still be in good shape to be able to resign some of the younger guys later.
[Reply]
DougS Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 2:40 pm
@EASportsMgt,
This is from the nhl.com on Koivu’s extension:
“When his new deal kicks in next season, Koivu’s annual base salary will be $5.4 million with bonuses of $1.89 million paid every other year and a double installment to raise the figure to $9.18 million in the final season.”
I’m not sure that jibes with what you’ve been hearing about the structure.
If Koivu got himself a big signing bonus to cover his position in 2012-13 in case of a work stoppage, then that certainly puts pressure on DL to give IK the same. But It doesn’t sound like Koivu actually got that for himself.
[Reply]
EASportsMgt Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 3:42 pm
@DougS,
Maybe you haven’t read exactly how his contract is structured. LeBrun mentioned that there is no other contract in the NHL like this one. He gets 7.29MM then 5.4MM, then 7.29M then 5.4M then 7.29MM then 5.4MM then 9.18 MM, the bonuses of 1.89MM is every other year as you mentioned.
What I was told is that it’s similar only that it will also have alternating figures but instead of the big bonus in the last year, it actually comes in the possible lockout year.
[Reply]
Kovy’s current theme song:
“The Choice is Yours” – Black Sheep
(from the Kia commercial)
“You can get with this, or you can get with that…”
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Howe 9 Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 2:12 pm
@KingsFanInDFW,
What are those things anyway – hamsters?
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KingsFanInDFW Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
@Howe 9,
some things are just better left unknown…
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@Ktphonehome Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
@Howe 9, Hoodrats.
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kjchip30 Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 2:12 pm
@KingsFanInDFW, BUT THIS IS WHERE IT’S AT!!!:)
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YES on 19 Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 2:43 pm
@KingsFanInDFW, Or how about, “Money (That’s What I Want)”
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there’s a tingly feeling around the internet that strongly suggest kovi is going to become a king in 48 hours at the MAX.
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But Eklund said it could happen today, maybe tomorrow, or the next day, or day after that
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Harry Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 3:05 pm
@Larry Braverman, That’s what they have been saying, since day 1.
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Money just put this up on twitter, take it with a grain of salt till Rich says it’s true but…
“Kovi looks done 15 yrs 80 mil. Structure being finished. Kings-m”
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KingsFanInDFW Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 2:25 pm
@Atomic Steve,
i’ll take his word over some of the other reports we’ve seen today.
[Reply]
Atomic Steve Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
@KingsFanInDFW, agreed, but i won’t belive it until it’s from Rich.
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Kristie Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
@Atomic Steve, I’ve heard this before. But if this is the case, then it definitely works for the Kings cap concerns!
[Reply]
Mike L Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
@Atomic Steve,
whats his twitter? I don’t believe it. A 15 year deal? Im sorry but thats INSANE. I would say NO to that
[Reply]
Atomic Steve Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
@Mike L, @PetrosAndMoney
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Mike L Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 2:35 pm
@Atomic Steve,
Thats RETARDED. It better not be 15 years. Not even Doughty is going to get a 15 year deal……. I don’t know if i like this
DougS Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
@Mike L,
If true, I assume it will be one of those alchemical deals where the cap hit declines over time, and IK can be bought out at some point with relatively little cap impact for the Kings.
Let’s just worry about the salary cap implications. AEG will worry about the actual $ cost them, and I’m sure the actual financial impact matters much more to them than it does to us fans.
[Reply]
puddle Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 2:39 pm
@Mike L, 15 year deal isn’t really insane. It’s the best way to get a manageable cap hit, and considering the cap is very likely to go up in the future, it makes the cap hit of an aging player that much more palatable.
[Reply]
Jester's Dead Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
@Atomic Steve,
Paging Rich Hammond
Is this true??
[Reply]
Cynic Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
@Atomic Steve,
DL would be a WITCH if that happened. Cap hit of 5.33mil? DAMN! Probably look something like this:
10, 10, 1 (+9 bonus), 10,10,6,6,4,4,2,2,2,1.5,1.5,1
Year 1-5: 50mil (With bonus on CBA year)
Year 6-10: 20mil
Year 11-15: 10mil (Probably will retire before then.
Just speculation, but an interesting thought. Only 80 mil over that long of term would make me gasp in surprise though.
Now 100mil over 15 years? With Gonchar getting 5.5mil/year at 36 for 3 years with Ottawa, I could see that making more sense. I hope this is true. Doesn’t matter for me until Rich confirms it though.
Thanks for the find Steve!
[Reply]
wavesinair Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 2:39 pm
@Cynic, agreed.
[Reply]
DougS Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 2:54 pm
@Cynic,
Makes sense. At some point, when age has sapped Kovalchuk of his mojo, he can be bought out with relatively little impact on the cap. So it wouldn’t necessarily be a 15-year marriage.
As to the $ value, Team Kovi may not have many options left. That’s one possibly explanation. Another is that he sees that if he can help bring the Cup to LA, his profile rises more highly than it would in most other NHL towns and he’ll make it up in endorsement deals.
[Reply]
Cynic Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 3:19 pm
@DougS,
Great points Doug. Totally agree.
The Gonchar deal makes me think it’ll be more than 80mil, but at 100mil It’s not bad. If DL pulls of 80mil over 15, he’ll have my loyalty.
Andrew Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 2:35 pm
@Atomic Steve, Simple math puts that at a 5.33MIL cap hit. WOW!!!
[Reply]
Kevin Y Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
@Atomic Steve,
I’m hoping this is true… That’s a great cap hit (only $5.33M), and leaves PLENTY of space for DOughty, Johnson, and Simmonds.
But IF true (big IF), I have to wonder how it breaks down. It’s far away from the 10/$100M he wanted, and worse than the 17/$100 NJ “reportedly” offered (which would tell us for certain that Lamoriello NEVER offered that deal).
twitter.com/warrenhlewis: Today is day 2 sides r close but deal is dead with some hurdles cleared announcement coming soon..more 2 follow
Dennis Bernstein of The Fourth Period says “Accurate!” And TFP is a VERY reliable source.
[Reply]
Mike L Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 2:42 pm
@Kevin Y,
I just personally have a bad feeling with a 15 year deal. Not even Doughty is going to take a 15 year deal. I’m all for a low cap hit but 15 years just sounds outrages to me. I mean I’ll be 33 in 15 years! OMG
[Reply]
Kevin Y Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 2:48 pm
@Mike L,
Yeah, I’ll be nearly 35 at that time (I turn 20 next week). It’s hard to imagine…
But if that’s the only way to get him, at that low a cap hit, that’s good.
Look at the players we have that will be gone by then: Smyth, Handzus/Stoll, and possibly Brown and Kopitar.
We can look long-term… but we can’t really say how good/bad this move is gonna be 10+ years from now. It’s too soon. Fact of the matter is a $5.33M cap hit for a player like Kovalchuk at this stage is good. We can worry about that cap hit in 2020. Deal with it then.
txkingsfan Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 2:51 pm
@Mike L, the 15 year deal is primarily to spread out the money – they don’t actually believe that he will play 15 more years, its about spread out the money so as to keep the yearly cap down so that they can sign the other players.
Gary Livingston Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 2:58 pm
@Mike L,
How in the world could a 15 year deal be bad?
It would make the cap hit incredibly low for a player like him.
It makes him a King for life if he isn’t traded.
It makes it easy to trade him IF the organization feels he should be traded.
It gives him long term security not just for his career but his family. They get a sense of knowing they will have a home while their kids grow up and don’t need to worry about having to uproot them.
The Kings aren’t losing out on money or other opportunities in those later years if Ilya decides to be like Modano and stick around.
The only time this could ever go sour is in those final few years. But, so what? If it makes the Kings strong for the next 11 years dealing with being handicapped by his cap hit for those final four years is worth it.
Who knows if it would even do that. With a superstar like Ilya on the team it might make it easier to sign other big talent. Maybe the Kings will be the next Red Wings 5 years in.
It’s not much of a risk.
Kristie Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 2:45 pm
@Kevin Y, Their reports don’t make sense. Is the deal dead or not?
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Kevin Y Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 2:56 pm
@Kristie,
I don’t know… I mean the terms sound too good to be true, but I’m not sure ANYBODY knows what’s going on.
Fortunately, I’m working 4-8. Yeah, I’ll be checking my phone every few minutes to see what happens, but at least I won’t be completely consumed by this for the next few hours.
Dan H. Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 2:45 pm
@Kevin Y,
It’s quiet and the natives are quiet and restless. One morsel of information comes from somehwere and WHAM everyone is at it like pirhanas now.
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Anonymous Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
@Dan H.,
———————–
twitter.com/warrenhlewis: Today is day 2 sides r close but deal is dead with some hurdles cleared announcement coming soon..more 2 follow
Dennis Bernstein of The Fourth Period says “Accurate!” And TFP is a VERY reliable source.
— This is accurate, it’s accurately a joke. How can a deal be dead and soon to be announced. It’s not a typo – it’s a JOKE. Please, let’s not get ridiculous here.
Gary Livingston Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 3:00 pm
@Kevin Y,
It’s definitely a joke though =P
Dennis is having fun replying to other people and their claims and egging their tweets on.
He hasn’t posted anything on his about this. Neither has David Pagnotta.
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Gary Livingston Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 3:02 pm
@Gary Livingston,
“DennisTFP
It’s a joke. Read it again. Conflicting words RT @jonathanehawks: How could an announcement be coming if deal “dead”? Did he mean “done”? “
Kevin Y Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 3:15 pm
@Gary Livingston,
The wording was very confusing…..
Maybe I’m just stupid?
Yeah, probably… anyway, I still feel that he’ll be a King by week’s end, somehow. The deal “reported” was too good to be true, but doesn’t necessarily mean it didn’t happen.
We won’t know until he signs on the solid line (are these lines really ever “dotted”?)
5holer Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 5:02 pm
@Gary Livingston,@Kevin Y, Nobody is stupid here. Nobody knows anything really. I know Dennis B personally. He is a stand up guy. His Brooklyn humor is coming out here I think. Stirring and stirring and you might bring up something to the top. This will be a unique trend setting deal, if it gets done (I see it as done already). Silence is golden and bad reads kill sources. Info is tighter than a small gnat’s behind. Boil over coming, but that is the biggest advantage to this deal…the Publicity Value, which has to be scrutinized and controlled to reap the fat harvest. We are dealing with Liquor Store Clerks here, besides what $1500/Hr Lawyers do you know that work fast….tic toc, tic toc…Chaching$$$$ Billable Hours now at work. Money for one Money for all…dig in. Kovy is Coming and forget the British!
Bob Bobson Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
@Atomic Steve, I know a lot of people are excited about Kovalchuk but long term deals can easily turn into a concern. If his game goes to pot in a few years, we would still be on the hook for a contract that would be practically immovable. Look at Yashin, DiPietro and Lecavailier. A low cap hit won’t matter if Kovalchuk stops playing well.
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http://twitter.com/PetrosAndMoney
Dean given green light by Anshutz…
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Chris Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 3:03 pm
@Forecheck!,
Seems way too good to be true.
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If I can find a song of this Kovalchuk shennagins, it would be More Money, More Problems
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flex Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 3:33 pm
@Pat, ..I think the problem is AEG less money ,always problems
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KOHO Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 4:26 pm
@flex,
Exactly! Theat guy can penny pinch the beard off of Abe Lincoln.
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CLICHE…REALLY! Seen him play with the Kings and it like that old man sitting on the porch in the rocking chair with a glass of country time lemon Ade in his hand..it puts me ta sleep like a little Baby! And as for Trevor Lewis..its like watching paint dry. To say that these players are developing slowly is an understatement. There are players in Manchester and the minors that will develop even more quickly then these guys! In other words, They will make this team? I will believe it when I see it!
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Don’t get me wrong I want IK, but think about this. He and his agent have stated they want a 100 million dollar contract right? Well how come Atlanta has not entered in the negotiations? They were willing to give hime the money during the season. Seems like a sweet move to get pieces in return for Kovi and then sign him back. not trying to give them any ideas but have never heard this mentioned. Maybe not going back there means its not just the money.
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Gary Livingston Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 3:01 pm
@metalliking,
haha, when that trade first happened that was my theory.
would be incredibly smart and evil. haha.
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Tmik Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 3:03 pm
@metalliking,
They want a 100million contract with a team that’s going to have a chance of winning the cup within the next 100 years.
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KingsFanInDFW Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
@metalliking,
which would you rather have? 100 million from atlanta, or 80 million from L.A.? i dunno about you, but atlanta isn’t first on my list of places to play for any money. i’m taking L.A.’s deal in a heartbeat.
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Eric Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
@metalliking,
Atlanta probably can’t offer the $100M/10 year deal anymore since they traded for Byfuglien and Bergfors and have Bogosian (their version of DD) all coming up as RFAs this year and next. They’ll all be due bumps in salary so that Kovi offer won’t happen again without dumping salary.
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Matt money Smith just confirmed on radio: DONE DEAL, YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111
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Jonathan Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 3:21 pm
@Forecheck!,
When Dean Lombardi, Jay Grossman or Rich Hammond say the deal is done, that’s when the deal will be done.
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woohoo Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 3:22 pm
@Forecheck!, he said near done at 15 years/80 million, just working on structure, but he sounded confident and positive that this would be done soon.
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Howe 9 Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 3:26 pm
@woohoo,
What kind of middle name is “Money” anyway?
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KingsFanInDFW Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 3:25 pm
@Forecheck!,
i’m waiting for rich to say it’s done, or that there’s a presser to announce it before i start jumping for joy lol.
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Robitaillefan Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 3:35 pm
@KingsFanInDFW,
I agree, Rich is the ONLY one I will trust! But I hope it is true
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Doesn’t this Kovi character realize he can’t have the cake and eat it too…..We should just stick with our current core of reliable players
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KHenry14 Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 3:27 pm
@Seals2Kings, Uh, what of our core players is going to score 40-50 times next year???
It wont be Frolov that’s for sure
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Michael_DD8 Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 3:43 pm
@KHenry14,
I really think kopitar has a chance of hitting 40.
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Newf Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 3:55 pm
@Michael_DD8, absolutely. Kopi hasn’t really played with a superstar before. With him setting Kovi up, and depending who else is with them (Williams, Brown, Simmonds), I really think Kopi will crack 100 pts this coming season.
5holer Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 5:09 pm
@Seals2Kings, Wait a minute….Yes he can and he will too! They will even provide the linen napkins and some hot and cold running bar maids to serve his beverages. We may get some crumbs when its all said and done.
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And now the latest buzz:
A friend of mine, who happens to be a beekeeper, has announced that I will soon be the godfather to his first bumble of joy.
I hope he doesn’t take that back after this comment.
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Joey No-No Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 3:34 pm
@Buster, …really?!?!? I sure hope your post was the product of a Friday afternoon drink or two.
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Tookie Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
@Buster,
You just couldn’t help yourself could you?
You took that pun and just demolished it. You ran the thing raw…there’s nothing left.
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Kovi deal close
http://twitter.com/PetrosAndMoney
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This is so fun waiting. I am happy the Kings are being methodical. Unfortunatley it has not allowed us to make any decisions on our other pressing needs.
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Per Petros and Money, Kovi deal is imminent.
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hockeysureshot Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
@Wup2k, It just seems weird that most of the news around Kovalchuk has come from the LA Times and Petros & Money. Once Rich or TSN report it then I will believe it. If it is a 15 year deal for $5.3 million than it is great in the short term, but 15 years scares me long term.
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LOL!!! MatthewBarry says via Twitter: “No press conference scheduled yet…but that could change.”
How insightful!!! hahahaha…at this point is comedy hour on twitter.
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TheFourthPeriod is hoping to get confirmation very soon on the Kovalchuk deal.
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Rumors abound that Kovalchuk is about to sign a deal in the 15 year, $80 million range. That would be, what, a $5.3m cap hit?
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I should stop recycling old jokes. It’s a hazard from spending too much time with comedians (mostly now as a joke writer).
Besides, this will be the fifth time that I’ve been named as a godfather.
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for what it’s worth…
TheFourthPeriod Spoke to a very well placed source. There is no deal for kovy and kings. Reports, I’m told, are untrue
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And there we go – very reliable source TheFourthPeriod reports deal is not finished between Kovalchuk and the Kings.
“TheFourthPeriod
Spoke to a very well placed source. There is no deal for kovy and kings. Reports, I’m told, are untrue.”
See you all next week!
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“Spoke to a very well placed source. There is no deal for kovy and kings. Reports, I’m told, are untrue. ”
thefourthperiod
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TheFourthPeriod
Spoke to a very well placed source. There is no deal for kovy and kings. Reports, I’m told, are untrue.
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Gary Livingston Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
@Gary Livingston,
It would be nice to be able to delete threads. haha.
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Gary Livingston Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
@Gary Livingston,
*posts (haha)
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KingsFanInDFW Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
@Gary Livingston,
would be nice if the site worked properly, too, when its overloaded.
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Kovalchuk Watch 2010 LIVE CHAT is up and running!
http://deepinsidethekings.com/2010/07/12/kovalchuk-watch-2010/
The inevitability of a signing seems palatable. Doesn’t it?
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If this rumor turns out to be true then FREE margaritas at my house tonight!!
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We don’t need Kovalchuck anymore, guys. We got Cliche instead!
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IF the tweet by Helene is true. The issues left to be resolved seem very minor in the grand scheme of things. Just sign it already!!!!!
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helene elliott:
“nothing–repeat nothing–is finalized yet btween kings and kovalchuk, club official says. still issues to be settled, apparently (more)
over bonus/salary in 2012-13 season and maybe over no trade/no movement clauses and how deep into the deal a clause would kick in.”
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If it is 15 year for $80 mil, does anyone know if we take a cap hit if he retired say with one or two years left on his contract?
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Matt R Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 4:08 pm
@sstephen17, I know there is an over 35 rule in which a team that signs a player at age 35+ still takes the cap hit if the player retires befor the contract is up. I would assume that means that a contract signed by a player under 35 comes off the books if he retires. Someone correct me if I’m wrong.
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EASportsMgt Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
@sstephen17,
There my friend lies the problem. Once he retires there is no cap hit. So the NHL investigates these contracts to make sure no “wink-wink” deal is going on that the player is under the understanding that he is to retire and therefore no more cap hit.
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Matt R Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 4:26 pm
@EASportsMgt,
This is what happened with Hossa and the Hawks. NHL was investigating that. I never heard any resolution, so either it’s ongoing, or nothing came of it. Personally, I have to imagine that both player and GM would both know that there is a good chance that the guy isn’t going to play beyond 40. How many players do that…besides Howe and Chelios? But, if there was no actual discussion about retiring before the end of the contract, I doubt the NHL could actually do anything. They would only be assuming that there was intent to circumvent the cap.
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You know what’s a “Cliche?” All of these Kovalchuck blogs..ha ha! Couldn’t resist that one!
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petros and money is a joke…..
so is hockeybuzzbarry, eklund.
“sources” uh huh. probably 4-5 people know exactly what is going on and they are not going to leak it to some clown with a twitter account.
all morons
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FU King Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
@kingfish, Money says he feels good about his sourceS and is having fun with it right now on the radio saying: he is the only one riding this ship. I trust him & you’ll be proven wrong soon enough. Funny, with our names, I guess we’re natural adversaries.
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kingfish Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 4:27 pm
@FU King,
I hope Im proven wrong would love to see kovy on kings. just tired of all of these guys speculum-ating to drive up hits/audience. thats a good handle you got, dont think it makes us adversaries.
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FU King Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 4:59 pm
@kingfish, Heheh, I know…just playin’ around. I think I’ve become a bit testy with this damn heat and the fact that Kovalchuk is so close to signing. I’m a big fan of PMS (GREAT show once you get over Petros’ voice) and Money is a big Kings fan. He’s been reporting on this story from the beginning of the free agency signings. Thanks on the handle compliment. It originated from my feelings toward a certain egocentric basketball player, though it is actually a triple entendre.
king lopez Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
@kingfish, Well said!
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nothing–repeat nothing–is finalized yet btween kings and kovalchuk, club official says. still issues to be settled, apparently over bonus/salary in 2012-13 season and maybe over no trade/no movement clauses and how deep into the deal a clause would kick in.
Helene Elliot
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EASportsMgt Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
@Matt R,
Sounds like what I was hearing is true then. That bonus is a huge deal, My guess is that over the weekend it gets resolved and Monday we announce Kovalchuk is a King. But that’s just what I’m guessing.
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ok i give up with this blog for now… the comments section keeps switching to the mobile format (i think thats what it is?) and it doesn’t update for me…
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RealDrew Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
@KingsFanInDFW,
Yeah, I’ve run into the same issue. Pretty frustrating.
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I hear rumor Kovy has a one hour special on ESPN scheduled for tomorrow.
J/K
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“the numnbers are correct and they worked out the structure… is going to be a los angeles king.. one of those whacky deals that gary bettmans loves so much”
“i feel really good about my sources”
“we will see if it gets put together by the end of the show”
petrosandmoney
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This Helene chick, i think, is just posting thing to post. I think Rich would be the first to know thing of that sort. hope this ends real soon.
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stagger Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 4:14 pm
@king lopez,
Just because he’s the first to know, doesn’t mean he will be the first one we hear it from.
He probably knows already.
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king lopez Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
@stagger, true that.
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EASportsMgt Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
@king lopez,
No Helene Elliot is well informed. She just has a different source than Rich and is more willing to say these things even if she is wrong. But keep in mind it’s just a rumor.
Rich on the other hand doesn’t need to post every rumor. Just imagine for a second if Rich posted every rumor he heard? People on here would go crazy, crazier than they already go anytime a rumor about IK hits.
I truly respect Rich for not doing so and letting us speculate and debate every rumor. That’s the fun part.
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KingsFanInDFW Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 4:22 pm
@EASportsMgt,
rich also works FOR the kings, so he has no reason to report anything that’s untrue (i.e., rumors).
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Gary Livingston Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 6:19 pm
@KingsFanInDFW,
I think it has a lot less to do with who his employer is and a lot more to do with Rich’s own code of ethics.
The rumors on Kovi are not true, most likely a trade will happen. If Kovi goes to NJ look for Parise going to the Kings.
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RealDrew Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
@C-Note20,
What is the purpose of your post? Do you need attention or are you just trying to stir the pot a little. Next time, at least try coming up with something a little more believable.
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C-Note20 Reply:
July 19th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
@RealDrew, No I just happen to be correct as you sit here on the 19th pulling your hair out as Kovi is a Devil.
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PlanetEarth Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 4:21 pm
@C-Note20,
“Hi, I’m Earth…..have we met?”
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Matt R Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 4:33 pm
@PlanetEarth, lol, well done!
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About a half million posts ago, someone mentioned endorsements. Something I hadn’t thought of.If he goes to Jersey, he has to share the stage with other regional players, like Ovechkin, Crosby, etc. From LA, his stage would be everything west of the Mississippi. Remember what Gretzky did for warm weather hockey? I do not think Kovi has that impact, but he would still be the stud of the west. Kobe who?
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I love when people on twitter regurgitate other people’s tweets (certain rumor mongers do it often). I’m coining a new term…twegurgitate!
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 4:34 pm
@Matt R,
…Tweeturgitation!
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..First Good news( that petros guy did not understand)
…Nikol Kovalchook was the one who got 80 million for 15 years contract
to sing national antem befor the game.Ilya is still watiing….Kovalchook familie (Ilya ,Nicol,Karolina,Philip,Artem…and of course Mom in Law) will share Lucky Luck gstthouse ,to save some money for new appartment.Ilya applyed for unemployment benefits and still waithing….Goveremet is out money.
I will continue the support him.He promis me “pay me back” 0.001% of his income to helpm me with my bills.
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