NHL

Kings out again, Devils lone NHL team pursuing Kovalchuk

As the Ilya Kovalchuk Saga went through its eighth day, Lou Lamoriello said he’s not irritated nor edgy about the drawn-out negotiations for the star left wing.

“No. Do I sound it?” the Devils GM said with a chuckle.

Lamoriello also said his continued pursuit of Kovalchuk is not hamstringing him in pursuit of other players.

“There is nothing interfering with what I am doing with our team,” Lamoriello said.

The Devils appeared to be the last NHL team left in the running for Kovalchuk, after the Kings dropped out of the bidding a second time. Russia’s St. Petersburg continued to pursue the 27-year-old, and seemed to be Kovalchuk’s main alternative to the Devils.

Wild rumbles claimed the Devils were mounting a $100 million, 17-year package for the player they acquired from Atlanta as an upcoming unrestricted free agent on Feb. 4. A source previously suggested the Devils might be bidding $60 million over seven years.

After the Kings dropped out again, speculation arose whether the Devils might lower any offer they had made.

The Kings are said to have offered $64 million over 12 years before bowing out a second time late Wednesday. They first declared themselves out of the bidding last weekend, then jumped back in when the Kovalchuk camp presented them a proposal.

The attempt to lure the Kings back into the bidding prompted wide speculation that Los Angeles is Kovalchuk’s preferred destination. The Kings were said to be the Devils’ main competition in the trade by Atlanta that brought New Jersey Kovlachuk, Anssi Salmela and a swap of second-round picks, for Niclas Bergfors, Johnny Oduya, prospect Patrice Cormier and a first-rounder.

Kovalchuk made $7.5 million last season, and must expect a raise as an unrestricted, perhaps the best-ever, considering his age.