- Helene Elliott of the LA Times: According to one of Elliott’s sources, “he’s 98% sure” that Ilya Kovalchuk and the Los Angeles Kings will get a deal done, either side will not comment on it. (For the love of God please get this over with). Some of the stumbling blocks have been how Kovalchuk will be payed during the potential lockout season of 2012-13, if he’ll get a no-trade or no-movement clause, and if there is clause to give him veto on a trade, or selecting a number teams he’d consider joining.
- Dave Fuller of the Toronto Sun: Brian Burke has pulled the Maple Leafs offer to Bill Sweatt off the table. The Leafs acquired Sweatt in the Kris Versteeg deal. The Leafs have/had until August 15th to sign him to an entry level deal or he would become an unrestricted free agent. The Leafs are close to the maximum of 50 player contracts. I would think Burke will try to shop Sweatt around, maybe adding a draft pick or putting him in a trade package.
- Chris Botta of NYI Point Blank: Doug Weight will be back with the New York Islanders next season, but they are in no rush to get the deal done. The Isles are below the salary cap floor, and could use Weight’s bonus laden contract to reach the minimum.
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Lee Stempniak scored 28 goals last season, 2nd most amoung free agents, but still finds himself without a contract. Stempniak and his agent are still talking to teams, but it’s been a slow process. He and the Coyotes have a mutual interest in each other, and at the right price, the Coyotes would like to have him back.
- Elliotte Friedman of CBCsports: (worth a read) He writes about the Kovalchuk situation, how it’s not a ‘ripe’ market, why some draft picks fall, and his 30 thoughts.
- Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: An NHL source is saying that the Dallas Stars do not have an agreement to be sold to Canadian Oilman, Bill Gallacher. Ken Campbell of The Hocky News reported yesterday that there was a deal.
- Dan Rosen via Twitter: Red Wings coach Mike Babcock on Mike Modano,”I look forward to him signing. I think that’s inevitable. I think that’s what is going to happen.”
- Dmitry Chesnokov via Twitter: Alexei Yashin’s agent said that the New York Islanders are always interested in him.
#1 by NjSponger318 at July 17th, 2010
So much for the 98% nonsense what about this tidbit of info As Per TheFourthPeriod.com…….
uly 16, 2010 // 9:02pm ET
Kovalchuk still an option, Kings pursuing others
TheFourthPeriod.com
“As Kings general manager Dean Lombardi continues to try and sign unrestricted free agent star Ilya Kovalchuk, sources tell TFP he is also weighing other options.
Earlier today, a Los Angeles sports radio station reported the Kings were on the verge of signing Kovalchuk to a 15-year, $80 million contract. However, citing a “well-placed source,” TFP Editor David Pagnotta posted on his Twitter account that a deal had not been reached.
“Spoke to a very well placed source. There is no deal for kovy and kings,” Pagnotta wrote.
A Kings official later told TFP no deal had been agreed to and nothing � as of this afternoon � was imminent.
The Kings and Kovalchuk remain in constant discussion, though it’s believed Lombardi is scouring the trade market for other possibilities.
“The Kings are active on the trade front,” Pagnotta said. “As much as they want Kovalchuk, they are pursuing other options at the forward position.”
Philadelphia Flyers left wing Simon Gagne is on the trade block and has caught the eye of the Kings, though it’s uncertain if talks between the two clubs are ongoing. “
#2 by Joseph at July 17th, 2010
Haha Yashin…
I guess the Isles SHOULD always be interested in him, they gave up enough for him.
I thought about something the other day. If not for Mike Milbury, the Isles would have Chara, Spezza, Luongo, and Heatley (they wouldn’t have drafted DiPietro over Heatley if they kept Luongo). Oh yeah, and Olli Jokinen. It ridiculous how terrible a GM that guy was. ROFL
#3 by Chris at July 17th, 2010
Joseph- MM comments? Really? Why dont you complain about the Y2K bug or how much press the Monica Lewisnski scandal is getting while youre at it?
#4 by Joseph at July 17th, 2010
LOL Chris don’t get mad at me… The website’s the one who posted Yashin comments, and I honestly can’t even think about Yashin without thinking about MM.
#5 by Jeff at July 17th, 2010
Isn’t he currently the highest paid NYI?
#6 by Bdot at July 17th, 2010
Sweat is a ufa dummy. Burke can’t trade him.
#7 by Mark at July 17th, 2010
Bdot,
From the actual article … “knowing that if Sweatt didn’t sign a contract with the Leafs by Aug. 15, he would become an unrestricted free agent.” … So technically they can still trade him.
Now, when they originally traded for him, I thought they said they had until July 15th to sign him or he would become a UFA, and would not be tradable.