OT: Kovalchuk retires from the NHL

[kingsfan28]

Best damn #1 center in the league. He'll replace Kovy on his own AND win Norris this year.

The Lady Bing too.

 

[Reclamation Project]

Vezina and Conn Smythe too! Not to mention the NHL Foundation Player Award for his work in the the revitalization of Newark.

 

[Rorschach]

Is his wife researching schools in Russia now?

For 20m he can buy a school now.

 

[CNS]

The Lady Bing too.

Lady Byng is a soft name. They're renaming it the Andrei Loktionov Award.

Vezina and Conn Smythe too! Not to mention the NHL Foundation Player Award for his work in the the revitalization of Newark.

Nah. He feels bad for Schneider being a ginger so he's giving him those first two.

 

[The Butcher]

Exactly. Called JR out earlier this thread. That **** (cu word) shouldn't talk. Or breathe. I ****ing HATE JR.

Agreed. Every Kings fan should know what he said and did in his time here.

 

[Papa Mocha 15]

Has the NHL commented on this yet? I ask because the NHL told Vancouver and Luongo that the cannot void his contract even if both parties are in agreement. Different situation, but just wondering...

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Agreed. Every Kings fan should know what he said and did in his time here.

I'd prefer to forget that ever happened. I think that was another transaction that could be chalked up to Tim Leiweke and his quest to find a star. But boy could he dance...

 

[CNS]

I'd prefer to forget that ever happened. I think that was another transaction that could be chalked up to Tim Leiweke and his quest to find a star. But boy could he dance...

Hopefully he'll dance in busy traffic sometime soon.

 

[The Butcher]

I'd prefer to forget that ever happened. I think that was another transaction that could be chalked up to Tim Leiweke and his quest to find a star. But boy could he dance...

Why forget? That guy has a national forum to criticize players and their motives. It's absurd.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Has the NHL commented on this yet? I ask because the NHL told Vancouver and Luongo that the cannot void his contract even if both parties are in agreement. Different situation, but just wondering...

Only slightly, really. Both would have been mutually agreed terminations except that Kovi is "retiring". I'm looking forward to a statement of some sort if only because it sets some sort of contractual precedent. I can't imagine the NHL is thrilled, plus the B.S. of "retiring" only to head straight to the KHL is a farce and pretty much taking the MOU and wiping Kovy's butt with it.

 

[Johnny Utah]

The last decent player they drafted was Henrique...in 2009.

 

[Little Psycho]

I feel bad for the Devils, but no sympathy for their fans.

Edit: Just read the quotes and comments from the Devils, ouch...that really sucks.

 

[glenwo2]

I only really remember one of the NJ posters due to his insane level of homerism. He had an avatar of Kovy's face with the word TROLOLOLOLOL or something to that effect under it.


Oh the irony...

That would be me, actually.


As you can see, the moment Kovy "ditched us" for more money(guess he never wanted to deal with the American Taxes and Escrows), the Avy went Bye-Bye.

I am not mincing words when I say I hope he blows out both knees and is unable to even THINK of returning to the NHL one day.

 

[Rorschach]

That would be me, actually.


As you can see, the moment Kovy "ditched us" for more money(guess he never wanted to deal with the American Taxes and Escrows), the Avy went Bye-Bye.

I am not mincing words when I say I hope he blows out both knees and is unable to even THINK of returning to the NHL one day.

Nah man, it would be funnier if he was at the top of his game...and then the NHL said "no."

 

[glenwo2]

Nah man, it would be funnier if he was at the top of his game...and then the NHL said "no."

Sounds good to me, too.


He can go choke on a ruble for all I care.


The Devils survived before Kovy arrived and they will survive without him.


It just will be a bit tough in the short-term....

 

[tigermask48]

Best damn #1 center in the league. He'll replace Kovy on his own AND win Norris this year.

Well lets just hope his shoulders can handle all that extra.... Oh. Yeah... Damn...

 

[glenwo2]

Well lets just hope his shoulders can handle all that extra.... Oh. Yeah... Damn...

bah. Loki will probably end up going back to Russia soon also since the KHL offers more money.


I think it's safe to say that the Devils aren't going to be too keen on going after Russian-born players in the coming future.....

 

[Rorschach]

When he does come back though, it will be with LA. For cheap.

 

[Malakian#13]

When he does come back though, it will be with LA. For cheap.

Not sure if we will be able to afford too much after Bobby Ryan's contract.

 

[Reclamation Project]

Not sure if we will be able to afford too much after Bobby Ryan's contract.

I like your thinking...

 

[Scottkmlps]

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/spo...an-lombardi-kings-nhl-hockey-free-agency.html



Fast forward a year later: Kings acquire Mike Richards and later would acquire Jeff Carter en route to their first Stanley Cup. Devils lose Zach Parise to free agency, then lose David Clarkson as a UFA and now Kovalchuk to retirement, as well as what could conceivably be a high 1st round pick in 2014. They are also stuck with Volchenkov's immovable contract and high cap hit as well as the grossly overpaid Travis Zajac. While the Devils do gain cap flexibility as a result of Kovalchuk's departure, they are still in a dire situation given the age of their core players and the lack of upcoming talent to replace the top players who have left or are on the verge of retirement.

But....but....but....Lou is teh greatest GM evaaaaaaarrr.

 

[Herby]

But....but....but....Lou is teh greatest GM evaaaaaaarrr.

Who is the best GM of the past 20 years then?

It's either Lou or Ken Holland.

NJ has been contenders for 20 seasons, give the guy some credit. They will suck for a few years, but they are in good hands.

 

[Reclamation Project]

Lou without hesitation.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Who is the best GM of the past 20 years then?

It's either Lou or Ken Holland.

NJ has been contenders for 20 seasons, give the guy some credit. They will suck for a few years, but they are in good hands.

Lou prior to the salary cap with his philosophy of building from the net out and developing a slew of players who had terrific careers was one of the best. After the salary cap, I don't know what happened to him. They've also made quite a few questionable decisions at the draft with their 1st round selections and have had numerous disastrous results in free agent signings.

Bowman, Chiarelli, Holland, Shero, Armstrong and Poille to a certain extent, and Bryan Murray as well have really done well in building from within and also adding the right pieces to their rosters.

 

[Reclamation Project]

And Lombardi