Seriously, I truly believe someone on this board will kill themselves if Kovy isn't signed here because of all this speculation . . . .
Worst case scenario...Kings don't get Kovy and during the season we are out of the playoff race because the team can't score goals. Like we had problems doing at the end of the season last year and in the playoffs. In which case, Lombardi's seat will be very very warm.
Lombardi in the past has attempted to land a big name. Chara, Drury, Briere, Hossa, Gaborik, Havlat... he made pitches and they all rejected for one reason or another. The timing wasn't right at the time as those players wanted to go play for winners or received offers that the Kings were not prepared to match.
Now that the core and identity of this team has been established, Los Angeles has become a more desirable destination, and that player who is deemed the "right fit" is available. It makes too much sense. For the Kings not to sign Kovalchuk would be a major disappointment. How many players in the NHL are capable of scoring 50 goals? There aren't many, and they don't grow on trees.
With Lombardi and Hextall speaking out about the need to improve 5-on-5 scoring, the Kings can address that issue with the addition of one impact player. The presence of Kovalchuk will also elevate Kopitar, Doughty, Johnson, etc. They're all going to be more productive and make the Kings a lethal team to contend with.
This.
I think some of us are over analyzing DL's comments here. We all know that DL can be a bit conservative when it comes to free agency, however, I don't get the idea that he's going to approach the free agency period in the same way he has done in the past. I think lots of us are analyzing these comments based on DL's prior history of FA signings. However, I think we need to understand that we're in a totally different context than we were last year or the year before.
It certainly seems to be the case that DL will be a bit aggressive (especially towards Kovy) because he wants to go further into cup contention and Kovy is the right guy for that job. I think we're past "trying to get into the playoff phase" to "getting into the playoffs and winning the cup" kind of phase. If this is the case, then there is no reason for me not to believe that he's going to make a huge run for Kovy.
Worst case scenario...Kings don't get Kovy and during the season we are out of the playoff race because the team can't score goals. Like we had problems doing at the end of the season last year and in the playoffs. In which case, Lombardi's seat will be very very warm.
And rightfully so. No one doubts Lombardi's rebuild plan and drafting record. He obviously knows how to restock and rebuild a franchise from the ground up, and should be commended for doing so.
But this is why he was shipped out of San Jose - a failure from a managerial standpoint to push a team over the top. Let's hope he learned from his mistakes.
Washington isn't in on making any big moves. Pittsburgh has holes on defense they are looking to address. Kovalchuk hates Avery and won't be signing with NY and Toronto is out of the running.
Washington isn't in on making any big moves. Pittsburgh has holes on defense they are looking to address. Kovalchuk hates Avery and won't be signing with NY and Toronto is out of the running.
I hope your not basing that on what Burke said about a month ago.
And rightfully so. No one doubts Lombardi's rebuild plan and drafting record. He obviously knows how to restock and rebuild a franchise from the ground up, and should be commended for doing so.
But this is why he was shipped out of San Jose - a failure from a managerial standpoint to push a team over the top. Let's hope he learned from his mistakes.
Then again, Doug Wilson hasn't done much either. I do think Dean Lombardi wants to stick it out here in LA and prove to the NHL and himself that he can build a team AND win the cup.
Washington isn't in on making any big moves. Pittsburgh has holes on defense they are looking to address. Kovalchuk hates Avery and won't be signing with NY and Toronto is out of the running.
WSH is looking to shake things up after their disappointing playoff performance. They're a haven for Russian players, Kovalchuk is friends with Semin and Ovechkin, and they have the capspace. They're definitely the dark horse in the Kovalchuk race.
WSH is looking to shake things up after their disappointing playoff performance. They're a haven for Russian players, Kovalchuk is friends with Semin and Ovechkin, and they have the capspace. They're definitely the dark horse in the Kovalchuk race.
Absolutely. But IMO the logical choice would Volchenkov or Hamhuis. But what do any of us know.
According to NHL Numbers.com, they are only $12 million under the cap and have 13 roster spots to fill. Doesn't sound like they have the room to be, but again, what do I know??
