Kovalchuk traded to New Jersey

[StevieY9802 6]

Per Bob McKenzie: "RDS reports that Don Waddell met Ilya Kovalchuk today and told him to expect a trade in the coming days. Now it's on."

My guess this happens very quickly.

[Guest Lidstromboli]

if the hawks get kovalchuk, they'll be right up there with the penguins as one of the best teams of all time

[Echolalia 2,961]

I've been hearing the Kings come up a lot

[StevieY9802 6]

I've been hearing the Kings come up a lot

They'll have to give up a lot to do it. If I'm them you try to get him to a contract first, if that's even possible. You trade away young talent and then lose him in the summer your big steps forward end up being a huge step backwards.

[Guest Lidstromboli]

mckenzie said it will probably be one of Boston, New Jersey, Rangers, Philadelphia, Calgary, Chicago or LA

[Rice 42]

Craig Custance is saying Chicago isn't in the mix as of now.

[Konnan511 1,736]

The Hawk fans still think that their whole team will be intact next season.

Lots of LGW members also thought we were going to be able to re-sign Hossa and not lose any players besides Hossa if he didn't re-sign.

[VM1138 1,921]

I heard mumblings about this, too. I've also seen the Devils tossed around as possible candidates.

If the Hawks land Kovy it will take a monumental effort on their part not to win the Cup.

I don't understand it, either. One look at their roster says that. While landing Kovalchuk would be huge for them, it would, however, further the case that they're putting it all on this year.

If they get Kovy they'd be hands on favorites to win this year, if they're not already in most people's minds, so I fail to see how signing Kovy would hurt them. They're going to lose people anyways, this is their best chance.

And the Penguins aren't even close to being the best team all time. They have two marquee players (Crosby and Malkin) and a decent goalie, but not an all-time great (and never will be). In '08 they were the same, only with Hossa. The Wings teams of recent memory put up much better rosters, and even those aren't considered the best all time.

[Guest Lidstromboli]

i wonder who would be the first line LW if new jersey somehow got Kovy?

[Opie 308]

Bruins also made it known that Ryder is available, maybe they are looking to clear room or make roster room for Kovie?

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

Speaking of Chicago and the show they put on last off-season regarding signings...Has the League ever issued an official decision on the validity / shadiness of the Hossa contract?

[Bannedforlife 403]

This would be great news for my fantasy team. I have Toews, Hossa, Seabrook and Kovalchuk!

Actually, anywhere he goes would be an improvement, he hasn't done squat for about 2 weeks...

[StevieY9802 6]

My guess is Chicago or Boston but as we know teams can jump into this thing. The one bad thing about this most likely happening in the next week is that the deadline is gonna suck.

[Opie 308]

My guess is Chicago or Boston but as we know teams can jump into this thing. The one bad thing about this most likely happening in the next week is that the deadline is gonna suck.

I was thinking the same thing when Boston put out Ryders name so early, if he and Kovie go what other big/semi big names are there(Ryder is semi big name)

[hooon 1,089]

Speaking of Chicago and the show they put on last off-season regarding signings...Has the League ever issued an official decision on the validity / shadiness of the Hossa contract?

I've been wondering this for a while, but I haven't heard anything since the initial incident where the NHL said they would be investigating. My guess is that no matter what they found, we wont be hearing anything further about it.

I really don't think the Hawks will get Kovi, they don't need him and there are other teams that do. If Tallon was still in office, he'd probably do anything possible to try to get Kovi, but I think Bowman is smart enough to know that his team is good enough as it is without the need to give up depth and future.

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

I've been wondering this for a while, but I haven't heard anything since the initial incident where the NHL said they would be investigating. My guess is that no matter what they found, we wont be hearing anything further about it.

I know the League was looking into both the Hossa and Pronger contracts.

Who's running the mail room in Chicago these days?

[Yak19 303]

My Prediction:

Kovalchuk to LA

For Johnson, Frolov, 1st Round Pick and 3rd Round Pick

[AtomicPunk 296]

Journal-Constitution sports columnist Jeff Schultz, also a former Thrashers beat writer, reports Kovalchuk wanted the maximum salary allowed under the collective bargaining agreement -- 20 percent of Atlanta's payroll or $11.3 million. The captain also sought a deal in the 10-to-12 year range.

This is what I've said all along when people thought the Wings could sign him. It better be a team with a LOT of cap space, or willing to clear a lot of cap space. Oh, and Atlanta is gonna SUCK.

[Pucks 66]

Seems like a greedy *****. Good player, but more than Ovechkin and Crosby, Malkin, Lidstrom? I hate sports agents, wish I had one

[Opie 308]

Seems like a greedy *****. Good player, but more than Ovechkin and Crosby, Malkin, Lidstrom? I hate sports agents, wish I had one

Or that you were one, do you know his cut on a deal like that!

What is standard 17%? Something like that I think.

[dat's sick 1,002]

Maybe he'll go down in salary to play for a better team.. if not, he's stupid.

I think Boston or maybe New Jersey will get him. I just hope he stays out of the West.

[AtomicPunk 296]

I'm liking that Kings rumor as far as that being realistic. Sounds like the kind of marquee player they need, they have the space, getting rid of Frolov will be a plus, and Johnson is in the doghouse.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Or that you were one, do you know his cut on a deal like that!

What is standard 17%? Something like that I think.

I thought it was 10%.

At least, that's what it used to be...I believe.

[Chelios57 31]

As a die-hard Kovalchuk, and Thrashers fan. This is absolutely devastating. Not to mention moronic for both camps.

How Kovalchuk and Atlanta could let this happen to each other is beyond me. This is truly sad. I feel even worse for the fans of them who actually live around there and attend their games (I'm a Wings fan first and foremost).

Sad, sad news.

[ben_usmc 253]

latest rumor since ATL needs defense Wings trade Meech and Bart Lebda for Kov and there 1st