A source on Friday told The Post the Kings consider their chances of signing Ilya Kovalchuk only 50/50.
One report out of Toronto, from ex-Ranger Nick Kypreos, said the Kings had cleared up many of the obstacles that previously separated the sides, claiming a deal was close, but not yet done.
Devils GM Lou Lamoriello said the Devils remain in the quest.
Kovalchuk is believed to favor Los Angeles over Newark, all things being equal, but it appeared they weren’t equal for the first two weeks of this bidding. Kovalchuk was said to be ready to rejoin New Jersey on July 5, but is believed to have decided late to give the Kings another chance, then another, and now another. He made a visit to Los Angeles early this week and it is thought talks took off from there.
The Kings initially were said to be offering $64 million over 12 years. The Devils are thought to have first bid $60 million over seven years, then $100 million over 17.
Kovalchuk turned down Atlanta offers of $70 million over seven years and $100 million over 12 last winter before he was dealt to the Devils on Feb. 4 with Anssi Salmela and a swap of seconds for Johnny Oduya, Niclas Bergfors, prospect Patrice Cormier, and a first-round pick. Kovalchuk made $7.5 million last season.
Kypreos, an analyst for Sportsnet Canada, wrote on Twitter, “A big swing in the Ilya/Kings talks. Major stumbling blocks have been rectified. A source now described it to me as ‘close but not done.'”
Kypreos did not provide details on what the winning offer might be.