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Laying out some Kovalchuk thoughts so I can answer a few of the questions asked and have a thread to refer future questions to. So here goes...
Situation has never really interested me that much - from Day 1. Player isn't 8, 11, 23, 32 or even 77. He has 81 GP in LA uniform.
Situation has never really interested me that much - from Day 1. Player isn't 8, 11, 23, 32 or even 77. He has 81 GP in LA uniform.
Decision in 2018 to bring him in was warranted, a calculated gamble. It didn't "hurt" the rebuild, actually helped it. If Kovy wasn't signed, LA likely would've traded 2-3 assets to acquire a fwd. They'd be worse off today. Better that they signed a UFA & retained picks/prospects
None of this is revisionist history. I said it at the time on Kings of the Roundtable (& various radio shows), repeated it on this week's @kingsofthepod - listen http://bit.ly/KingsPod
You can bemoan the third year of the deal, yet it's not handcuffing LA. Don't need cap space.
You can bemoan the third year of the deal, yet it's not handcuffing LA. Don't need cap space.
What happened this week to bring things to a head? We broke it all down here http://mayorsmanor.com/2019/11/timeline-the-ilya-kovalchuk-situation-on-tuesday/
Bottom line, decision was made to scratch him. Meeting took place with the player. Somebody told the media. Mgmt not happy. They've been trying to handle privately for a while.
Bottom line, decision was made to scratch him. Meeting took place with the player. Somebody told the media. Mgmt not happy. They've been trying to handle privately for a while.
What are the options from here?
He signed a 35+ contract w/ a full NMC. Termination, Retirement, or Suspended aren't likely. Waivers and/or assigned to AHL not possible without his consent.
So...
Likely scenarios are buyout or trade. It's about a 1M decision.
Explanation next
He signed a 35+ contract w/ a full NMC. Termination, Retirement, or Suspended aren't likely. Waivers and/or assigned to AHL not possible without his consent.
So...
Likely scenarios are buyout or trade. It's about a 1M decision.
Explanation next
