Rumor: Ilya Kovalchuk signing with NYR

[blood gin]

Yeah we've had our fun. A little rebuild should be fun since we haven't had that in about 15 years, so I don't mind 3-4 years, it is sure better than the last time the Devils made the playoffs, what 5 years ago? Good luck playing Tampa Bay

Yea you should remember that well. Another series that ended with Lundqvist face down crying on the ice with the other team celebrating.

 

[BigBadBruins7708]

so much for all that talk about wanting to come back to win a Cup...

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

2012 was 6 years ago. He's 35 now. He's frustrating and enigmatic and cannot be relied upon in any way. Shero tried to move him last offseason but there just wasn't any interest. People around the league know what kind of guy he is.

I think you’re mistaking interest for a lack of willingness to give the Devils assets

Why give the Devils something when every team has (had) the opportunity to sign him for free this year?

 

[blood gin]

I think you’re mistaking interest for a lack of willingness to give the Devils assets

Why give the Devils something when every team has (had) the opportunity to sign him for free this year?

He becomes a year older. And the Devils were (reportedly) not asking for anything unreasonable for him either. It's strange that nobody bit. Very strange and very telling

 

[yababy]

Igor is a solid reporter. He’s been the first on Russian player news several times in the past. Wonder if we’ll find out more tomorrow.

should be able to score 50 - over the 3 years of the contract

 

[JT Kreider]

I don't think anyone's sad that Kovalchuk's contract isn't on our books until the year 3000. Plus, cap recapture and all that. Lou's final gift was getting us out of that contract.

Also, you're incredibly misinformed. Not entirely surprising given your... well, I don't want to make this personal and have a mod jump down my throat so I'll just leave it at that.



Not to speak on behalf of the other dude, but I don't think there's much salt as far as him not coming back to the Devils.

No Devils fan with a brain wanted Kovalchuk back now. We've clearly got something working - why risk infecting the locker room with this cancer when his best hockey is clearly behind him.



He owns a house in NJ, his wife wants to be close to NYC, and the Rags undoubtedly offered more money than anyone else with half a brain would be willing to.

Rags are trash and have a ton of cap space - why not sign a past-his-prime star? Reminds me of the good old days.



The wrong move is adding talent to keep yourself out of the top-5 in the draft. Dip your toes in the "pool of mediocrity", get your young talent, then get out.

Rags are going to do a great job hovering right around 10 O/A with Kovy while Hank is still around, which is just fantastic.

In short - I love this move. Let him infect your young guys with his ego, while keeping you just talented enough to stay out of a good draft pick.

Oilers have been doing such a great job with all their top 5 draft picks.

Islanders accomplished SO much with their franchise center that they drafted 1st OA 9 years ago. So jealous of all their success!

And I'm really looking forward to seeing Dylan Strome leading the Coyotes to the Cup Finals this year!

Meanwhile, 2nd round picks Nikita Kucherov, Brad Marchand, Roman Josi are sitting at home on the worst teams in the league.

 

[AIexisLafreniereNYR]

Yea you should remember that well. Another series that ended with Lundqvist face down crying on the ice with the other team celebrating.

Yeah man its a shame it never worked out for Hank. I'll always respect his hustle year in and year out. A true Ranger great. But HEY, like I said, good luck fighting off Tampa Bay.

 

[Kaako Kappo]

Good, a team i couldn't care less about.

 

[AIexisLafreniereNYR]

I don't think anyone's sad that Kovalchuk's contract isn't on our books until the year 3000. Plus, cap recapture and all that. Lou's final gift was getting us out of that contract.

Also, you're incredibly misinformed. Not entirely surprising given your... well, I don't want to make this personal and have a mod jump down my throat so I'll just leave it at that.



Not to speak on behalf of the other dude, but I don't think there's much salt as far as him not coming back to the Devils.

No Devils fan with a brain wanted Kovalchuk back now. We've clearly got something working - why risk infecting the locker room with this cancer when his best hockey is clearly behind him.



He owns a house in NJ, his wife wants to be close to NYC, and the Rags undoubtedly offered more money than anyone else with half a brain would be willing to.

Rags are trash and have a ton of cap space - why not sign a past-his-prime star? Reminds me of the good old days.



The wrong move is adding talent to keep yourself out of the top-5 in the draft. Dip your toes in the "pool of mediocrity", get your young talent, then get out.

Rags are going to do a great job hovering right around 10 O/A with Kovy while Hank is still around, which is just fantastic.

In short - I love this move. Let him infect your young guys with his ego, while keeping you just talented enough to stay out of a good draft pick.

Its 2018 buddy the NHL lottery is a crap shoot, it doesnt really matter where you finish as long as its within the top 10

 

[jj cale]

I'm guessing, as usual, he's chasing cash.

That is what he is chasing, and the lifestyle afforded to him in the big apple.

This guy is nothing but a cold blooded mercenary at this point. At the risk of getting Ranger fans mad at me and I am sure they will be but it is not my intention to slag the team or annoy it's fans ..........why would a player in the twilight of his career who truly wants to be a contributing factor on a cup winning team go to new york right now if not for the above reasons listed?


Kovalchuk is about money and bling at this point, nothing more.

 

[Devilsfan118]

Its 2018 buddy the NHL lottery is a crap shoot, it doesnt really matter where you finish as long as its within the top 10

...confirm for me that you'd rather have a 3.5% chance at the first overall pick than 18.5%.

2018 NHL Draft Lottery Odds | Tankathon

I just want to see you put it in writing.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

He becomes a year older. And the Devils were (reportedly) not asking for anything unreasonable for him either. It's strange that nobody bit. Very strange and very telling

Fair enough. I don’t know what the price was but maybe that’s the case

 

[AIexisLafreniereNYR]

...confirm for me that you'd rather have a 3.5% chance at the first overall pick than 18.5%.

2018 NHL Draft Lottery Odds | Tankathon

I just want to see you put it in writing.

You do realize they're other elite prospects to get drafted outside the top 5? And even the prospects inside the top 5 aren't even guaranteed to even become NHLers. Look at my username, Chytil was drafted at 21, and the kid is going to be a star.

Back to the lottery, it's a crap shoot. The Flyers leaped into the top 3. If this was the old lottery system I would be worried.

 

[JT Kreider]

...confirm for me that you'd rather have a 3.5% chance at the first overall pick than 18.5%.

2018 NHL Draft Lottery Odds | Tankathon

I just want to see you put it in writing.

Rangers were never going to be as bad as the Sabres. Even if they tried.

And for the record I'll take the player drafted 16th overall in 2015 over the player drafted 2nd. And the player drafted 23rd over the player drafted 3rd.

 

[Nico the Draft Riser]

Is he considered a true UFA or can he sign a contract without having to wait until July 1st?

 

[Five Alarm Fire]

Makes sense for New York, but I thought Kovalchuk was chasing a cup?

 

[devilsfan35]

I really wanted him back in jersey. Oh well I guess we’ll have to settle for John Tavares with all that cap space

 

[Dijock94]

Devils fans always trying to shoot us rangers fans down. Just leave us alone and enjoy making the playoffs

 

[JT Kreider]

Makes sense for New York, but I thought Kovalchuk was chasing a cup?

He is going to look damn good in Bolt blue for the 2020 Cup run

 

[Uncle Scrooge]

I don't like this for NYR.. Kovalchuk on a losing team at this stage of his career isn't a great recipe in my opinion.. Him playing meaningless games is going to look awful.

But holy moly are the Rangers going to have a lot of skill for a rebuilding team.. Should be a fun team to watch

But yeah i guess for Kovy he has a reason to go to NY and it's not hockey or money related. I doubt the Rangers are the only team willing to offer 3 years.

 

[Drij]

such a typical rangers move. sign old fart player for insane amount of money.

 

[Deen]

Kovalchuk won't even put up Dadonov numbers.

 

[AIexisLafreniereNYR]

Kovalchuk won't even put up Dadonov numbers.

Bet

 

[Filthy Dangles]

funny how devil and neutral fans are talking shit and how pathetic the Rags are for this.

How dare they sign a top offensive player in the world while they try and get back being competitive.

Why do people think the state of your team is binary, like you're either balls deep in a Buffalo rebuild or a stanely cup favorite....yeesh.

 

[Deen]

Bet

I will legit bet my account against yours if you remember at the end of next year. If he breaks 65 points I will actually turf this account and you can have it.