Rumor: Kovalchuk news/rumors/discussion

[NHL Fanatik*]

Figured this will entice a LOT of chatter, and I can't read the other conversations in general team discussion.

And since he isn't a part of the team...

If this thread isn't necessary, a Mod can place it in GTD.

As for me, I think he comes back. Too many facts point towards his return.

Edit: 6/12 rumor update


The Mayor John Hoven ‏@mayorNHL 1h

Wait... Kovalchuk is in talks to come back to the #NHLdevils ...weird news tonight


The Mayor John Hoven ‏@mayorNHL

@billyclem82 Talking to a Russian source here at media lounge in NYC, it's 100% legit being discussed by Kovy and his people.

(Someone asked for source. I just put today's date since the rumors began discussion today.)

*mod edit*

The requirements for him to return;

1. Unless Kovalchuk sits out a full season of professional hockey anywhere in the world, he cannot return to the NHL without consent from all 30 franchises until 2018-19.

2. If Kovalchuk sits out a full season of pro hockey, he can only return with the Devils’ consent until 2018-19.

3. Beginning in 2018-19, Kovalchuk will be 35, removed from the league’s voluntary retirement list and free to sign with any NHL team as a free agent.

Click to read more...

 

[Ripshot 43]

If he sits out a year, can he sign with any team or just the Devils?

 

[njdevil26]

If he sits out a year, the Devils still hold his rights.

As I understand, there's a five year period before he becomes a completely FREE agent.

 

[Ripshot 43]

If he sits out a year, the Devils still hold his rights.

As I understand, there's a five year period before he becomes a completely FREE agent.

I ask because a friend of mine said he looked it up and that if he sits out a year then he is free to sign with any team.

 

[Classic Devil]

I ask because a friend of mine said he looked it up and that if he sits out a year then he is free to sign with any team.

Not the case. We would still hold the right of veto until he's 35.

Why are we talking about this again? Did something happen since last night? Who says he's having talks with the Devils and the NHL?

For crying out loud, why would his KHL team let him out of his contract?

 

[glenwo2]

Wait a second....

Can the OP point out where he got the OFFICIAL "rumor" from?

The way the title of this thread is, looks like something just happened TODAY.

 

[Status Quo*]

I really have no clue what to think about this whole thing. I hate him for basically ditching the team, but he's also really ****ing good and we need someone who's really ****ing good on the offensive side.

 

[AfroThunder396]

Does OP know something we don't, or is this just a rehash of the "60 years in the NY hockey scene" rumor?

 

[Classic Devil]

He is not coming back. He's not coming back. HE IS NOT COMING BACK.

HE IS NOT COMING BACK

It makes no sense. He's under contract in the KHL, and his team will never let him break that contract. He needs the consent of the league and the entire league, or the entire league needs to get together and change the rules especially for him, and they're not going to do that; that'd be insane.

The Devils might need a player of his caliber, but expecting us to take Kovalchuk back, after all the crap he put us through, would be sufficient to get Lou institutionalized.

To summarize:

(1) The KHL won't let this happen
(2) The NHL won't let this happen
(3) Lou won't let this happen

I don't care if it's what Kovalchuk and his people may want, he's made his bed and now he has to sleep in it, and I resolutely refuse to give this entire matter more thought than complete dismissal. Because it isn't going to happen.

 

[NHL Fanatik*]

Wait a second....

Can the OP point out where he got the OFFICIAL "rumor" from?

The way the title of this thread is, looks like something just happened TODAY.

Sorry about that, clarified in the OP.

 

[glenwo2]

Sorry about that, clarified in the OP.

I think the Mayor is going to get voted out of office for that report.

 

[Colin226]

$90 to change my authentic Kovy jersey to a Henrique Ain't changing it back even if he comes back and we win the Cup

He may be interested in coming back but TG seemed pretty certain that he'd need unanimous GM approval or a year off before he could come back, so I don't see how this could work.. He's not getting the approval he needs and I'm not so sure a year off is a great idea

 

[Unknown Caller]

He is not coming back. He's not coming back. HE IS NOT COMING BACK.

HE IS NOT COMING BACK

It makes no sense. He's under contract in the KHL, and his team will never let him break that contract. He needs the consent of the league and the entire league, or the entire league needs to get together and change the rules especially for him, and they're not going to do that; that'd be insane.

The Devils might need a player of his caliber, but expecting us to take Kovalchuk back, after all the crap he put us through, would be sufficient to get Lou institutionalized.

To summarize:

(1) The KHL won't let this happen
(2) The NHL won't let this happen
(3) Lou won't let this happen

Thank you, I've said this all along.

 

[theoptimist]

I think there's more to it than just him "ditching the team." It was too abrupt. Not a big conspiracist, but even I feel like there wasn't much information aside from Kovy's nostalgia for Russia.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

can't he just go away already.

 

[AfroThunder396]

Medvedev will put a bloody horse head in Kovalchuk's sheets tonight and suddenly he'll come to his senses.

Seriously, Kovalchuk coming to Russia was a huge coup for the KHL, they would look SO bad if he left only after playing one season. It would be a huge embarrassment, especially after what happened at the Olympics. Huge slap in the face to Russian hockey. Medvedev and Fetisov will exhaust every available option to keep him there.

This isn't even involving the Lou factor.

 

[Cheddabombs]

He is not coming back. He's not coming back. HE IS NOT COMING BACK.

HE IS NOT COMING BACK

It makes no sense. He's under contract in the KHL, and his team will never let him break that contract. He needs the consent of the league and the entire league, or the entire league needs to get together and change the rules especially for him, and they're not going to do that; that'd be insane.

The Devils might need a player of his caliber, but expecting us to take Kovalchuk back, after all the crap he put us through, would be sufficient to get Lou institutionalized.

To summarize:

(1) The KHL won't let this happen
(2) The NHL won't let this happen
(3) Lou won't let this happen

I don't care if it's what Kovalchuk and his people may want, he's made his bed and now he has to sleep in it, and I resolutely refuse to give this entire matter more thought than complete dismissal. Because it isn't going to happen.

I agree with this all, except for the fact that Lou won't let this happen. Hypothetically, and depending on the circumstances in which Kovalchuk would come back, he could make our team much better and on potentially a decent cap hit/term. I think Lou would be insane not to think about that if it were to improve the team. No matter how much **** Kovalchuk put him through, I think it'd be somewhat selfish of Lou to not put the team before his own pride.

For the record, I think there is no way Kovalchuk returns. Too much variables that would be need to go perfectly, and I just don't think it's reasonable to assume they will.

 

[DenisSamson3]

I assume this will be the most popular thread for a while.

 

[Classic Devil]

I agree with this all, except for the fact that Lou won't let this happen. Hypothetically, and depending on the circumstances in which Kovalchuk would come back, he could make our team much better and on potentially a decent cap hit/term. I think Lou would be insane not to think about that if it were to improve the team. No matter how much **** Kovalchuk put him through, I think it'd be somewhat selfish of Lou to not put the team before his own pride.

For the record, I think there is no way Kovalchuk returns. Too much variables that would be need to go perfectly, and I just don't think it's reasonable to assume they will.

I cannot imagine adding Kovalchuk back into the locker room would actually make this team better. Sure, he's talented, but there's more to being a good hockey team than talent on the ice. You need to have a cohesive group in the room.

After all that's happened, after all the drama, you really think Kovalchuk returning so soon after he left would be a positive force in the room? Really?

Maybe five years from now, when he's 35 and his contract in the KHL is expired and there's some removal from all the **** we've lived through the last few years. But no, not before then. Lou won't let this happen.

 

[Classic Devil]

I assume this will be the most popular thread for a while.

This thread is getting locked pretty soon unless I get a source that's actually credible.

 

[njdevil26]

This is the source

The Mayor John Hoven
‏@mayorNHL
Wait... Kovalchuk is in talks to come back to the #NHLdevils ...weird news tonight


SiriusXM radio host.

 

[NHL Fanatik*]

This thread is getting locked pretty soon unless I get a source that's actually credible.

The source isn't credible? It was said to be credible in trade forums on main board. You could edit title and take out talks with NJ and NHL, and just talks, I didn't realize it was with Kovy's people. I apologize for that

 

[Classic Devil]

This is the source

The Mayor John Hoven
‏@mayorNHL
Wait... Kovalchuk is in talks to come back to the #NHLdevils ...weird news tonight


SiriusXM radio host.

Why is he credible?

The source isn't credible? It was said to be credible in trade forums on main board. You could edit title and take out talks with NJ and NHL, and just talks, I didn't realize it was with Kovy's people. I apologize for that

As far as I can tell he's just a random yahoo with a twitter account and a radio show.

 

[NHL Fanatik*]

Why is he credible?



As far as I can tell he's just a random yahoo with a twitter account and a radio show.

He apparently talks with Kovalchuk's agent, and he called a couple trades before TSN during deadline.

 

[tycobb]

He is not coming back. He's not coming back. HE IS NOT COMING BACK.

HE IS NOT COMING BACK

It makes no sense. He's under contract in the KHL, and his team will never let him break that contract. He needs the consent of the league and the entire league, or the entire league needs to get together and change the rules especially for him, and they're not going to do that; that'd be insane.

The Devils might need a player of his caliber, but expecting us to take Kovalchuk back, after all the crap he put us through, would be sufficient to get Lou institutionalized.

To summarize:

(1) The KHL won't let this happen
(2) The NHL won't let this happen
(3) Lou won't let this happen

I don't care if it's what Kovalchuk and his people may want, he's made his bed and now he has to sleep in it, and I resolutely refuse to give this entire matter more thought than complete dismissal. Because it isn't going to happen.

You could say that exact same thing when Kovy was under NJD contract and the KHL wanting to get him.

I highly doubt Kovy comes back to us unless it is a family matter. (ie moving his mother/sister out of RUS to NJ).