The saga continues

One day, there might be a good book written about this Ilya Kovalchuk story. Only problem is, nobody will be able to follow the plot. To the best of my knowledge, the Kings have not made an offer on Kovalchuk since late Friday afternoon, when they presented a long-term contract that would keep the cap hit manageable while still giving Kovalchuk big money up front, in his prime years. At that time, the Kings believed that would be the only way to get the deal done, so we’ll have to see if those fundamentals have changed or not. I just got off the phone with a team source who has been consistent from the beginning, that the Kings are interested as long as it doesn’t impact their ability to resign “the kids” (Doughty, Simmonds, Johnson, et al). Beyond that, I’m done with predictions!

So far, you’ve had the Kings as the favorite, then “not a choice,” now back in it. You’ve had the Devils presumably in it, but never confirming or denying, doing nothing but giving short, cryptic public answers. You’ve had the Islanders publicly proclaim themselves in it, only to never make an offer. Beyond that, it all makes perfect sense.