Rumor: Ilya Kovalchuk coming to USA to meet with NHL teams (unknown if he still signing with NYR)

[LeHab]

I hope not.
They don't need a "me first" kind of player to poison those kids.

Even if NYR are in a rebuild mode, I don't think they want that for very long time sort of like Yankees did a quick retool. If Tavares joins NYR then Kovy may be tempted.

 

[Dr Pepper]

And yet you won't see better free agents touring the country like he does.

Has nothing to do with him being Russian, by the way, before someone jumps down my throat about that. All about his ego.

Might have something to do with the fact that he hasn't lived in the US in years - at least I don't think he has.

Other notable FAs can just stay at home and watch competing GMs back a dump truck full of money on their driveway. Kovalchuk's in a different situation where he's arranging these meetings with teams that want to sign him.

 

[Riseonfire]

Even if NYR are in a rebuild mode, I don't think they want that for very long time sort of like Yankees did a quick retool. If Tavares joins NYR then Kovy may be tempted.

We'll be over here in reality. You can join us any time.

 

[Dr Pepper]

Even if NYR are in a rebuild mode, I don't think they want that for very long time sort of like Yankees did a quick retool. If Tavares joins NYR then Kovy may be tempted.

I don't think you'll find many teams that define "retool" as "sign that 35-year old winger who's been out of the league for years". Even if that winger is Ilya Kovalchuk.

 

[kimzey59]

Not sure if this has been posted yet, and it certainly isn't a lot to go on; but the Blues are apparently interested in Kovy.

Blues goalie Hutton appears intent on testing free-agent market

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

HAS HE RULED out New Jersey and Winnipeg?

 

[Devilsfan118]

Is it too soon?
You still sound a bit jilted

It's not too soon, but I have no love for this dude. That much is certain.

 

[ElGuapo]

I already told y'all he's signing in Dallas.

 

[Little Psycho]

The guy loves being wined and dined. Loves the attention.

I remember Devils and kings fans being frustrated with his ass. He didn't sign with the kings in 2012 and it worked out great for them. Hope he doesn't choose LA.

 

[Devilsfan118]

I remember Devils and kings fans being frustrated with his ass. He didn't sign with the kings in 2012 and it worked out great for them. Hope he doesn't choose LA.

He didn't end up signing until some time in late July or August, IIRC. Took forever deciding between the two franchises and essentially held both hostage during the active period in free agency.

For LA's sake I too hope he doesn't pick you guys.

 

[Little Psycho]

He didn't end up signing until some time in late July or August, IIRC. Took forever deciding between the two franchises and essentially held both hostage during the active period in free agency.

For LA's sake I too hope he doesn't pick you guys.

You know how many times I checked my phone on July 4th while I was at a beach party because his agent said he was due to sign any day! There was so many rumors coming out and I was trying to keep up and I had no wifi lol. The amount of time his agent was quoted "he's sleeping on it" made me hate that saying.

It was a nightmare for both franchises. Never forget Kovalgate.

 

[Alan Wake]

There is a group--or one dude--that used to put trading cards of the opposing team in the urinals for nearly every game.

Regardless, he chose a significantly larger amount of money on the initial deal with New Jersey than what Lombardi was offering. At that point in time, the refrain from the majority of Devils fans was that he didn't pick New Jersey because of the much larger deal but rather because, you know, Jersey.

I will admit it will be something else if he actually signs with the Kings 8 years later. Dodged a bullet the first time and are apparently tempting fate again.

It's ironic that, despite that, the Devils and the Kings faced each other in the playoffs not terribly long after the signing.

I'd say LA did well to avoid signing him. The Devils are still paying off his recapture fee until 2025 or some shit.

 

[Bcap88]

It's ironic that, despite that, the Devils and the Kings faced each other in the playoffs not terribly long after the signing.

I'd say LA did well to avoid signing him. The Devils are still paying off his recapture fee until 2025 or some ****.

Lol it’s only 250k

 

[Alan Wake]

Lol it’s only 250k

And for reference, you make how much a year?

 

[Hire Sather]

And for reference, you make how much a year?

What's that got to do with a 250K cap hit?

 

[Revelation]

And for reference, you make how much a year?

If you're comparing an NHL team operation to a dude with a 9 to 5 then that's like the equivalent of 25 bucks a year. Kovalchuk dragging them to a cup final probably paid for all of it.

 

[Dynamite Time]

I keep seeing the Rangers as one the teams he’ll end up on but if they’re in rebuild why? Wouldn’t he want to go to a legit playoff team.

 

[Peter Sidorkiewicz]

HAS HE RULED out New Jersey and Winnipeg?

He will only sign there if they promise to retire his jersey

 

[boredmale]

So do any teams that sign Kovy have to give compensation to the Devils?

 

[greasysnapper]

Kovy will sign where ever his hot wife, Nikol tells him. I guarantee she'll only have him sign somewhere close to either Hollywood or New York so they can be close to the glitz and glamour of the fashion/modelling/celebrity world.

HIS WIFE = HOF HOCKEY WIFE, POSSIBLE GOAT.

 

[Dr Quincy]

And yet you won't see better free agents touring the country like he does.

Has nothing to do with him being Russian, by the way, before someone jumps down my throat about that. All about his ego.

GM interviews as many potential draftees as he can: Doing what's best for his interest.
Player meeting as many GMs as he can: All about ego.

Makes total sense.

EDIT: Oh, and if I'm any Euro player leaving home and a league I'm successful in to come to North America, after seeing what happened with Shipachyov... you are damn right I'm going to visit every team I can to make sure I end up where I think I'll be best used and treated.

 

[Dr Quincy]

So do any teams that sign Kovy have to give compensation to the Devils?

He's a UFA. U stands for Unrestricted, so no.

 

[Jumptheshark]

this thread reminds me of that song and the Eddie Murphy movie

 

[Number1RedWingsFan52]

So do any teams that sign Kovy have to give compensation to the Devils?

No he's 35 years old now, He owes nothing to New Jersey and neither does the team that signs him.

 

[boredmale]

No he's 35 years old now, He owes nothing to New Jersey and neither does the team that signs him.

I thought there was something that said NJ owns his rights still(maybe that was last year?)