Kovalchuk trade watch

Is Lou Lam the President as well? If so he's gotta start thinking about attendance doesn't he? Isn't increasing the attendance and the Season ticket base a big part of the President's job?

SeawaySensFan wrote:

rooneypoo wrote:

SeawaySensFan wrote:

Cap'n Clutch wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:Sounds like it'll be NJ. We'll see though...

NJ huh? Poor Kovalchuck. So there'll be a few more fans to watch him but he's not going to be happy playing under Lemaire and Lou Lam is he?

Maybe Lou is starting to wake up and see all the empty seats and maybe he wants to generate some excitement?

I don't think anyone planning on acquiring Kovalchuk can be looking at it as a rental. I think it may be something like:

Elias, Oduya, Bergfors, Clarkson and Cormier for

Kovalchuk, Cheddar Armstrong, Kubina and Oystrick

I dunno. 2nd place in the conference, 1st in their division, games in hand. NJ's been on a bad streak lately, for sure, but that's an enormous deal you're talking about.

I could see NJ dealing something like Rolston/Zubrus + Clarkson/Bergfors, plus an appropriate bag of goodies (pick, prospect). Something like that. NJ has always been a conservative team and is pretty much a slam dunk to make the playoffs this year, so I don't see the need to trade half the team away. And I don't think they desperately need a #1 LW seeing as they have Parise already.

This is a team that fired their coach when they were a slam dunk to make the playoffs too. They're probably a slam dunk to be eliminated early as well.

Brand new building, perpetually empty seats. I think the conservative formula has run it's course.

I could buy into this argument more if Lam were fired, and if Lam didn't go out and get that blast-from-the-NJ-past, Lemaire. Anything's possible, granted, but these don't look like the signs of a coming radical overhaul to me.

rooneypoo wrote:
I could buy into this argument more if Lam were fired, and if Lam didn't go out and get that blast-from-the-NJ-past, Lemaire. Anything's possible, granted, but these don't look like the signs of a coming radical overhaul to me.

What about when Brodeur breaks or retires? Won't that force an overhaul? And don't say that it's all about the system, that system was in place in Minny and they suffocated with very little success.

What are the odds that the trades for Kovalchuk actually signs him ? You know he's gonna hit the market July 1st.

The guy's contract demands are ridiculous. Any team that signs him for that amount is going to be limited in bringing in quality players when Kovy is taking up 20% of his cap space by himself.

Hoags wrote:What are the odds that the trades for Kovalchuk actually signs him ? You know he's gonna hit the market July 1st.

The guy's contract demands are ridiculous. Any team that signs him for that amount is going to be limited in bringing in quality players when Kovy is taking up 20% of his cap space by himself.

Or he just doesn't want to play in Atlanta?

Hoags wrote:What are the odds that the trades for Kovalchuk actually signs him ? You know he's gonna hit the market July 1st.

The guy's contract demands are ridiculous. Any team that signs him for that amount is going to be limited in bringing in quality players when Kovy is taking up 20% of his cap space by himself.

Why does he want out of Atlanta then if it's all about money? Didn't Waddell try to offer him a massive contract or am I confused?

SeawaySensFan wrote:

Hoags wrote:What are the odds that the trades for Kovalchuk actually signs him ? You know he's gonna hit the market July 1st.

The guy's contract demands are ridiculous. Any team that signs him for that amount is going to be limited in bringing in quality players when Kovy is taking up 20% of his cap space by himself.

Or he just doesn't want to play in Atlanta?

Rumor is he turned down 10-years, $100-million from Waddell...I don't think it's just Atlanta at this point - who are much better, and getting better, than people give them credit for.

PKC wrote:

SeawaySensFan wrote:

Hoags wrote:What are the odds that the trades for Kovalchuk actually signs him ? You know he's gonna hit the market July 1st.

The guy's contract demands are ridiculous. Any team that signs him for that amount is going to be limited in bringing in quality players when Kovy is taking up 20% of his cap space by himself.

Or he just doesn't want to play in Atlanta?

Rumor is he turned down 10-years, $100-million from Waddell...I don't think it's just Atlanta at this point - who are much better, and getting better, than people give them credit for.

Does Kovalchuck not realize that it's very difficult for a team to take on more than a 10M cap hit and still have a competitive team? I mean Washington is doing it with AO and his cap hit is slightly less than 10M isn't it? How long can that last though?

I'm not sure what to believe. Waddell supposedly offered him the money but he wants to be set for life. I heard they offered him 5-7 and he wants 10-12 ish. I don't know what's true anymore.

It sounds like he wants to sign for a longer term than Atlanta is willing to give him. Look at TB and Vinny's contract, they may not want to commit 100M+ dollars over 10+ years to 1 person, who knows if the team will still exist ? (prolly not), or if the owner won't be filing bankruptcy by then.

I don't think he cares about the salary cap, if Atlanta can't give him what he wants, he's sure someone else will.

Him and AO are friends, it wouldn't surprise me if Alex showed him one of his paychecks, and now he wants some.

You can have a few guys in the 8+ million range assuming you have the right guys making 500k-1m. Washington has that right now... besides, if no one can stop lines 1/2, then who gives a sh!t about 3/4. On the rare night they DO stop your big lines, you'll lose, but that doesn't seem to happening too often.

Michael Fisher Portnoy II wrote:You can have a few guys in the 8+ million range assuming you have the right guys making 500k-1m. Washington has that right now... besides, if no one can stop lines 1/2, then who gives a sh!t about 3/4. On the rare night they DO stop your big lines, you'll lose, but that doesn't seem to happening too often.

It definitely requires a number of underpaid over performers for that to work in a cap world.

Cap'n Clutch wrote:
It definitely requires a number of underpaid over performers for that to work in a cap world.

And have prospects ready to replace them when they're inevitably no longer underachievers and want a big raise.

We're doing well rolling 3-4 dangerous lines, Clouston made Lindy Ruff's head spin with his line combos last night.

I don't think anyone in this league should be demanding more money per year than Ovechkin, Crosby, and Malkin. Full stop.

Kovalchuk is a wonderful talent, but I wouldn't trade for him if he were seeking that much. You can't built a winner like that.

Hoags wrote:I'm not sure what to believe. Waddell supposedly offered him the money but he wants to be set for life. I heard they offered him 5-7 and he wants 10-12 ish. I don't know what's true anymore.

It sounds like he wants to sign for a longer term than Atlanta is willing to give him. Look at TB and Vinny's contract, they may not want to commit 100M+ dollars over 10+ years to 1 person, who knows if the team will still exist ? (prolly not), or if the owner won't be filing bankruptcy by then.

I don't think he cares about the salary cap, if Atlanta can't give him what he wants, he's sure someone else will.

Him and AO are friends, it wouldn't surprise me if Alex showed him one of his paychecks, and now he wants some.

Mackenzie says in his blog that they offered in the 100M$ 10/12 year range and that was turned down by Kovalchuk and his agent (5% commission I'd assume). I think league max is 11.2$ and that's what he wants. Over 10 years, that's 11.2M$ more but what can you do with 120M$ that you can't do with 100M$? It's silly.

rooneypoo wrote:I don't think anyone in this league should be demanding more money per year than Ovechkin, Crosby, and Malkin. Full stop.

Kovalchuk is a wonderful talent, but I wouldn't trade for him if he were seeking that much. You can't built a winner like that.

This. End of the story for me. No one is above the three you mentioned.

rooneypoo wrote:I don't think anyone in this league should be demanding more money per year than Ovechkin, Crosby, and Malkin. Full stop.

Kovalchuk is a wonderful talent, but I wouldn't trade for him if he were seeking that much. You can't built a winner like that.

What if your winner is already partly built?

TheAvatar wrote:
Mackenzie says in his blog that they offered in the 100M$ 10/12 year range and that was turned down by Kovalchuk and his agent (5% commission I'd assume). I think league max is 11.2$ and that's what he wants. Over 10 years, that's 11.2M$ more but what can you do with 120M$ that you can't do with 100M$? It's silly.

Then maybe (as others said) it's not about the money, he just wants out of Atlanta. Instead of demanding a trade he's just going to refuse all offers from then until they're forced to trade him.

SpezDispenser wrote:

rooneypoo wrote:I don't think anyone in this league should be demanding more money per year than Ovechkin, Crosby, and Malkin. Full stop.

Kovalchuk is a wonderful talent, but I wouldn't trade for him if he were seeking that much. You can't built a winner like that.

This. End of the story for me. No one is above the three you mentioned.

I almost feel bad for Don Wadell. Churning out star players only to see them walk away for money/championships. What can the guy do? He can't catch a break with some of these selfish punks.

Hoags wrote:

TheAvatar wrote:
Mackenzie says in his blog that they offered in the 100M$ 10/12 year range and that was turned down by Kovalchuk and his agent (5% commission I'd assume). I think league max is 11.2$ and that's what he wants. Over 10 years, that's 11.2M$ more but what can you do with 120M$ that you can't do with 100M$? It's silly.

Then maybe (as others said) it's not about the money, he just wants out of Atlanta. Instead of demanding a trade he's just going to refuse all offers from then until they're forced to trade him.

Sucks for him. Teams are going to be addressing needs in the offseason. Maybe someone will need an $11-million forward...maybe not.

Teams would be stupid to sign someone for that much. Personally, I think that anything over $7.5 is too much. Players, agents, teams - they are all stupid. Players that demand this much or think they are worth it are not putting the team first, and teams that give in are handcuffing themselves. If Crosby and Malkin, for example, took $1.2M less each (works out to $7.5M ea., still a lot of money) that is $2.4M more the team has to spend elsewhere, like on a good winger, or a defenceman. Not to mention the problems they potentially run into in the long run when they have to move one of those contracts.

I think you're preaching to the converted :O)

I do good?

Dash wrote:Teams would be stupid to sign someone for that much. Personally, I think that anything over $7.5 is too much. Players, agents, teams - they are all stupid. Players that demand this much or think they are worth it are not putting the team first, and teams that give in are handcuffing themselves. If Crosby and Malkin, for example, took $1.2M less each (works out to $7.5M ea., still a lot of money) that is $2.4M more the team has to spend elsewhere, like on a good winger, or a defenceman. Not to mention the problems they potentially run into in the long run when they have to move one of those contracts.

Yep. Agreed.

Can anyone then answer why? Are we then in agreement that the Crosby, Malkin and Ovechkin deals are sickening and not good for the teams? What can be done to prevent this from happening? Cause you know if your team takes a stand, then some GM will be stupid enough to sign your free agent to a ridiculous deal.

Is the NHLPA at fault for encouraging players from extorting as much money as possible? What about all the investigations and threats when players sign these long term deals?

Dash wrote:Can anyone then answer why? Are we then in agreement that the Crosby, Malkin and Ovechkin deals are sickening and not good for the teams? What can be done to prevent this from happening? Cause you know if your team takes a stand, then some GM will be stupid enough to sign your free agent to a ridiculous deal.

Is the NHLPA at fault for encouraging players from extorting as much money as possible? What about all the investigations and threats when players sign these long term deals?

Ultimately the player makes his own decision. That's part of why they pay union dues and commissions to their agents. So they can ask for top dollar and have someone to blame when they are seen as greedy.

The way to go (until the next CBA perhaps) will be front loaded contracts, ala Pronger, Hossa etc.

Big money per season
Lower cap hit

Best of both worlds for the people involved.

Can't really blame players/agents for trying to get as much as possible. If GMs dont meet the asking price, someone else will.

Teams need a few 'stars' to get fans to come to the games and help the team win.

Best you can hope for is draft and develop players well and hopefully they'll take a hometown discount to stay once they're eligible for UFA.

Regarding Kovalchuk, I can't see any sane non-desperate GM giving him more than AO.

Wow, some teams are screwed next year *coughChicagocough*.

Only a few etams that have a lot of cap space to sign Kovalchuk @ 11M and ice a 20 man roster.

ATL seems to have enough space

PRESS RELEASE:

Below is a statement just released by Atlanta Thrashers GM Don Waddell concerning signing Ilya Kovalchuk:

Our goal from the start of this negotiating process was to sign Ilya Kovalchuk to a l


long-term contract. During the process, Kovy affirmed his desire to be a Thrasher for life. We’ve spent several months exploring scenarios with Kovy and his agent to reach a mutually beneficial agreement, and offered many lucrative packages in an attempt to meet his financial objectives.

Unfortunately, we’ve reached an impasse and at this point he has declined all of our proposals and we can’t reasonably go any higher. Ultimately, we offered Kovy more than $101 million over 12 years, which would have been the highest contract signed by an impending unrestricted free agent in the history of the league. If accepted, this contract would have been the second highest offer ever to any NHL
player. We also met his desire to be the highest paid player based on average annual salary with a separate offer of 7 years at $10M per year ($70M). This offer is $0.5M higher per year than any other player. If we went beyond these offers, we would not be able to retain the young players on our roster when it came time to sign them, or invest in other top tier players needed to assemble a truly competitive team.

Therefore, we are aggressively exploring all of our options as we move
forward.

101 million over 12 years? That's 8.4 million, who does Waddell thing Kovalchuk is? A scrub? What an insult.

We also met his desire to be the highest paid player based on
average annual salary with a separate offer of 7 years at $10M per year
($70M). This offer is $0.5M higher per year than any other player.

That's quite a demand. What an Donkey.

He's not worth that. Not in the least. Score 50 goals, 100 points, win the Hart and the Conn Smythe and we'll talk.

Why is Kovalchuk or his agent even bothering talking to Atlanta? It's just a waste of time for all parties involved. He doesn't want to stay, deal with it.

Wow what a greedy SOB. Shades of Yashin right there.

I like how Waddell is letting the world know what a sack of Dung this clown is.

Looks like Dreger is right on top of this, we should be seeing a team emerge soon now and some names as well:

Don Waddell lays his cards on the table regarding Kovalchuk. http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=516230

Oh no, wait. He just posted a link to the NHL website so he knows nothing!

SeawaySensFan wrote:Looks like Dreger is right on top of this, we should be seeing a team emerge soon now and some names as well:

Don Waddell lays his cards on the table regarding Kovalchuk. http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=516230

Oh no, wait. He just posted a link to the NHL website so he knows nothing!

That Dreger's crafty.

Cap'n Clutch wrote:

SeawaySensFan wrote:Looks like Dreger is right on top of this, we should be seeing a team emerge soon now and some names as well:

Don Waddell lays his cards on the table regarding Kovalchuk. http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=516230

Oh no, wait. He just posted a link to the NHL website so he knows nothing!

That Dreger's crafty.

Don't make me say "Source?"!!!

SeawaySensFan wrote:

Cap'n Clutch wrote:

SeawaySensFan wrote:Looks like Dreger is right on top of this, we should be seeing a team emerge soon now and some names as well:

Don Waddell lays his cards on the table regarding Kovalchuk. http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=516230

Oh no, wait. He just posted a link to the NHL website so he knows nothing!

That Dreger's crafty.

Don't make me say "Source?"!!!

Question: It's an excellent ______ of Omega three fatty acids.

SeawaySensFan wrote:I like how Waddell is letting the world know what a sack of Dung this clown is.

Which means that he's been traded IMHO. You don't say stuff like that until it's done.

It's also a way for Wadell and the Tharshers Org. to save some face with fans by letting them know they made every reasonable effort to keep him a Thrasher. Good move I might say. Thrashers fans should realize that Ilya did not want to stay there and that any more money offered would hurt the team. Ilya is setting a bad example for guys like Little, Bogosian and Kane.

SpezDispenser wrote:

SeawaySensFan wrote:I like how Waddell is letting the world know what a sack of Dung this clown is.

Which means that he's been traded IMHO. You don't say stuff like that until it's done.

Yeah, I'd be willing to bet a testicale (not mine, but still) that Kovalchuk is traded before his game tomorrow.

SpezDispenser wrote:He's not worth that. Not in the least. Score 50 goals, 100 points, win the Hart and the Conn Smythe and we'll talk.

I don't think he's worth that, but I will point out that he's hit 52 twice and he had 98 points in 78 games in 2005-2006. There's only so much he could have done in regards to the other two awards.

The consensus seems to be that he wants to be in a market that isn't too crazy/privacy-invading but that has a chance to win. Atlanta's definitely good for the first one, and with Bogosian, Enstrom, Kane, Little, Pavelec plus guys like Peverley, Kozlov, Afinogenov etc. I would have thought he'd recognize the potential in that group.

Maybe he just wants out of Atlanta.