Free Agency Thread

[Yzerman191 37]

It looks like Kovy is unsatisfied with the offers, possibly wanting more money. Realistically though, it could be that he is not happy with the teams who are offering.

Really we don't know which is the case until he makes a decision.

I guess my point is that there is no possible way he or his agent could be expecting more money per year (KHL is offering $14M/year) or more money in the long term ($102M from Atlanta; $100M from NYI). The fact that he didn't sign contracts like those right away indicate to me that money is not his primary motive. To me, it indicates that he's looking to sign a contract that pays him well on a competitive, non-bottom-dwelling team. A greedy player solely interested in the most money would take any of those three contracts and run with them.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

It makes ya scratch your head as to which teams he'd prefer to play for, and if he'd be willing to take a paycut?

I'd rather play for the Devils than the Isles, but the Kings over the Devils any day. Kovy, on the other hand, is taking a different approach.

[Nhurdi 42]

You mean Kyle Wellfed?

We call him Tubby, he seemed to do better once he gained a little weight back. Good player though if he could be had for cheap. Don't see him with Detroit though.

[miller76 463]

I would have to praise the Kings and Lombardi for sticking to their game plan. Kovy's demands are ridiculous, and were making it to where the Kings would have to abandon this plan that has already been in place. You would think he would want a better team around him.

I hope he goes to the KHL. I am over him.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

We call him Tubby, he seemed to do better once he gained a little weight back. Good player though if he could be had for cheap. Don't see him with Detroit though.

Don't you mean once he lost weight?

[BUHdactyl 23]

You really can't say that LA isn't a good team. They have depth, youth, they made the playoffs last year and they will only get better. Kovalchuk would have fit in there, at least far better than with the Islanders or Devils. KHL for sure.

[crotty99 302]

Agreed.

I wonder if Holland had even spoken to Kovalchuk's agent?..I get the impression Kovalchuk is waiting for 1, or 2 teams that he'd prefer to be on to make him an offer.

Agree with both you and Yzerman191. It certainly makes you wonder what he's thinking...man I would LOVE to have him on the wings. For the right price and minimal impact on our depth....I can dream right?

[55fan 5,133]

Wasn't Kovy the one who was going to the next Olympics whether the league liked it or not? Maybe he is trying to get it in writing that he will be excused for those games, and if he can't get that in the NHL, he will sign a shorter deal with the KHL.

I'm just speculating here. He has gotten a killer offer from the Kings, who are up-and-coming. I believe the Devils also offered him a nice sum. I don't see money as the thing that is holding him back, nor the quality of the team. I could be wrong on this. Much has been said about FA players and I'm having trouble keeping it all in my head.

Also on the FA line of thought: Has anyone heard anything about Kariya? I'm curious as to whether or not he's had any offers or is considering anything.

[jollymania 162]

kovy is waiting for sutton to sign so he can go to the opposite conference

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

kovy is waiting for sutton to sign so he can go to the opposite conference

Sidenote, I always enjoy your avatars

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

Kariya may be waiting to see what Selanne does.I remember reading somewhere about Kariya and Selanne wanting to re-unite.

[MulesWillFly93 199]

I would have to praise the Kings and Lombardi for sticking to their game plan. Kovy's demands are ridiculous, and were making it to where the Kings would have to abandon this plan that has already been in place. You would think he would want a better team around him.

I hope he goes to the KHL. I am over him.

Same here. I'd be bitter, but I don't want the Kings to have to sell the farm to get the greedy jerk, so I, too, am over it. Hmph. I was really hoping he'd sign with them...they're the only California team I like.

I don't know what the heck he's thinking. If he were greedy, he would've taken the Thrashers' offer. To hold out like this for the money is borderline delusional, if you ask me; nobody has that much money. If that's not the case and what he really wants is to play for a competitive team, why the heck didn't he sign with the Kings? Seems like the perfect situation - he'll still get paid a buttload but with a team that'll be able to make playoffs runs. That ain't gonna happen with the Islanders, that's for sure. Third thought is he'll just go to the KHL and rake in some mega bucks and assure himself a spot in the Olympics. Frankly, that's making the most sense to me right now.

The only other thing I can think of is that he realllly didn't like somebody in the Thrashers organization, so he didn't want to take their offer no matter what but is trying to squeeze the same amount (or more) out of another team because he can. Also, one thing I know he's not doing is sitting around wishing his favorite team would call him up and offer him $5 mil a year so he could accept and play for them just because he likes them so much...nobody's that cool, sorry.

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

Let Kovalchuk go to the KHL, where he can hone his skills until the next Olympics.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Kariya may be waiting to see what Selanne does.I remember reading somewhere about Kariya and Selanne wanting to re-unite.

Maybe they can both come to Detroit on one year, $1 million deals, with much better results this time.

[redwingfan19 293]

zherdev in negotiations with the leafs and the sabres

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

Zherdev can just stay his lazy ass in the KHL.He was too good for the NHL last year.Once you bolt for another league such as the KHL,you shouldn't be allowed back.

[jollymania 162]

Zherdev can just stay his lazy ass in the KHL.He was too good for the NHL last year.Once you bolt for another league such as the KHL,you shouldn't be allowed back.

Don't tell UK_redwing, he thinks this guys an enforcer prob and wants him here

[zombi 43]

Wasn't Kovy the one who was going to the next Olympics whether the league liked it or not?

That was Ovechkin

[jollymania 162]

That was Ovechkin

"good" for him, he will screw his team over if the nhl doesn't go

Edited July 5, 2010 by jollymania

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

Nikolai Zherdev does not sound like a Brian Burke type player,but neither does Maxim Afinogenov,so who knows.I'm thinking Burke will sign Raffi Torres very soon.

[MacK_Attack 108]

Kovalchuk looks to be staying in Jersey with a 7 year, $60 million contract.

[Guest Crymson]

Agreed.

I wonder if Holland had even spoken to Kovalchuk's agent?..I get the impression Kovalchuk is waiting for 1, or 2 teams that he'd prefer to be on to make him an offer.

Piiiiiiipe dream.

[Jesusberg 1,256]

Kovalchuk looks to be staying in Jersey with a 7 year, $60 million contract.

Wow... craziness. So like 8.570 per year, eesh.

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

They will regret that in the long run.He's proven time and time again that he can't produce under pressure situations.

[Jesusberg 1,256]

They will regret that in the long run.He's proven time and time again that he can't produce under pressure situations.

From what I've seen out of him in the playoffs, I think he just tries too hard to do it all on his own. If he learns to play a better team player, his game will be better overall. That being said, he's still the 2nd leading goal scorer behind Ovy since Alex entered the league.

Edit: How can they even fit that contract in? They have 4.7 million left and 18 players signed. Maybe if they shed Zubrus, but even then... maybe Rolston too.

Edited July 5, 2010 by Jesusberg