Well, it should be very interesting to see what happens today. If Ilya Kovalchuk really is out for $100 million, and nothing less, there’s one team (hi, Islanders) known to be potentially able/willing to give it to him, so it should be a relatively easy deal to complete. If Dean Lombardi is really out of [...]

Here’s what I can tell you tonight… Dean Lombardi has still yet to respond, and it appears as though he’s had his phone off for a few hours now. However, a good team source has provided some insight into the Kovalchuk situation, and it’s what you might expect, that the Kings are “out” of the [...]

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 [...]

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

No news on the Koval-stakes today, to little surprise, and it would be very surprising to see anything happen tomorrow, on a Sunday and a holiday. It’s a Monday finish at the Indianapolis 500! (Or Tuesday…or…well, you get the idea.) The Kings are still very much in the race, of course, but there’s simply no [...]

Like a golf tournament or NASCAR race in inclement weather, it wouldn’t be surprising to see this Kovalchuk/Kings situation get pushed to Monday. It’s definitely safe to say that the No. 1 “scenario” for the Kings is still signing Ilya Kovalchuk, but the Devils and — now, according to various reports — the Islanders are [...]

Here is what Dean Lombardi is offering tonight, as a statement through a team spokesperson: “We have been, and continue to, work, on a number of different scenarios. We do not anticipate any resolution tonight. if something changes, we will let you know.”

Tim Panaccio of CSNPhilly.com, a longtime NHL newspaper beat writer, writes that the Philadelphia Flyers have asked Simon Gagne to waive his no-trade clause and that “it is believed” that the Kings would be interested in Gagne. I’ll add, rather firmly, that I have no confirmation of interest in Gagne on the Kings’ part, but [...]

The Kings’ development camp wrapped up today, with the prospects going through a third day of drills. I should note that while I said, the first day, that Tyler Toffoli didn’t play in the scrimmage, he was otherwise on the ice and was apparently only suffering from some flu symptoms. It’s always tough to say [...]

Former Kings prospect Drew Bagnall, a defenseman, has signed a one-year contract with the Minnesota Wild. Bagnall, 26, had two goals and 10 assists in 58 games with Manchester last season, but never cracked the NHL level during his three seasons in the Kings organization. More importantly, Bagnall was the captain of the Monarchs, so [...]

A reader named Chasen passed along these great photos he has taken during the last two days of development camp in El Segundo. I’m hoping, shortly, to talk to Kings player-development guru Nelson Emerson, and get his thoughts on the camp, but for now, check out the photos… June 30 photos July 1 photos

Getting back to the development camp, which wraps up this morning, one of the more intriguing players has been Kyle Clifford. It’s easy to see, when watching him among his peers, why Clifford might have an outside chance of making the Kings’ roster, sooner rather than later. At 6-foot-2, 208 pounds, he looks strong and [...]

It seems as though the whole Ilya Kovalchuk discussion/debate has gone on for about a year now, so what’s a 366th day? Who’s counting anyway? Everyone is back working at it today, although there’s still no indication that anything is imminent. Lombardi, Grossman (Kovalchuk’s agent) and anyone else involved would seem to have an understanding [...]

Dean Lombardi has declined to talk tonight, so we’ll be extending this drama into Day Two tomorrow. I’m told that the Kings’ offices have emptied, so there shouldn’t be any news forthcoming tonight.

I lost the source for it, but someone suggested that after Calgary GM Darryl Sutter signed Olli Jokinen, a highly controversial move, he then signed Raitis Ivanans so that Ivanans would make sure Sutter got to his car safely…

The last time the Kings had a 40-goal scorer was in 1993-94, when Luc Robitaille scored 44 goals. Since then, the Kings have won one playoff series. Coincidence?

It’s worth noting that Raitis Ivanans apparently has signed a two-year contract with Calgary worth $565,000 per year. That, presumably, leaves the door open for Kevin Westgarth to earn a spot on the Kings’ roster this training camp. In terms of Kovalchuk, it’s interesting to note that no other teams beyond the Kings and Devils [...]

As you can see, there’s been no activity by the Kings yet today, although they’re reportedly still very much in the mix for Ilya Kovalchuk. An attempt for an update from Dean Lombardi was answered with a text message that said, “Can’t – nothing happening.” It’s likely to be a long wait, likely even extending [...]

Sean O’Donnell, now-former Kings defenseman, has signed with the Philadelphia Flyers for one year, reportedly for a $1-million base salary. Raitis Ivanans, now-former Kings enforcer, reportedly has signed with the Calgary Flames for two years, at $575,000 per year.

I’ll update this post with the most recent free-agent signings and trades today… Dustin Boyd re-signs with Montreal: 1 year, $650,000 Eric Nystrom to Minnesota: 3 years, $4.2 million Matt Cullen to Minnesota, 3 years, $10.5 million Adam Burish to Dallas: 2 years, $2.3 million Saku Koivu to Anaheim: 2 years, $5 million Dan Hamhuis [...]