The Ilya Kovalchuk watch resumes today after the left wing’s agent said last night Kovalchuk had “narrowed down” his choices, with “details yet to be finalized.”
The Devils appeared to have the inside track on signing the free agent to what one source suggested will be a seven-year, $60 million package.
While the Devils may need to clear salary-cap space before they can register such a deal, another source indicated last night that at least some of the Devils protected by no-trade clauses had not yet been asked to waive them.
Keeping Kovalchuk would intensify the logjam on New Jersey’s left wing, where Patrik Elias is likely to return now that Jason Arnott is on hand to play center.
The Devils also have Zach Parise, up for restricted free agency next summer and unrestricted the summer after, and Brian Rolston and Dainius Zubrus on the left side.
The Devils have about $6 million in cap space available, counting 16 certain roster players. Aside from Kovalchuk, they also would have to fill six other roster slots, probably for a total of $4 million, leaving some $2 million for Kovalchuk. They can exceed the $59.4 million cap by $5.94 million until the regular season begins, at which time they must comply.
The Devils appeared to be the last NHL team standing in the bidding after the Kings dropped out of the running over the weekend, after Kovalchuk reportedly rejected their final offer.
The Islanders indicated their interest in the 27-year-old, but it is believed they never made a formal offer, let alone the reported $100 million over 10 years.
Kovalchuk’s Russian options, once reported at $12 million per season, were now claimed to have fallen to four years at $9 million each.
The two-time 52-goal scorer is arguably the best-ever unrestricted free agent. He made $7.5 million last season and turned down offers of $70 million over seven years and $100 million over 12 from the Thrashers before they traded him Feb. 4 to the Devils.
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Dan Girardi filed for salary arbitration yesterday, but the Rangers have every intention of signing the Group II free-agent defenseman to a multi-year contract.
Negotiations are likely to yield a four-year deal worth between $3.25-$3.5 million per season. If, however, an agreement can not be reached and Girardi goes through with the arbitration hearing, he would become eligible for unrestricted free agency next summer.