As the Ilya Kovalchuk Saga goes into its ninth day today, Lou Lamoriello said he’s not irritated nor edgy about the drawn-out negotiations.
“No. Do I sound it?” the Devils general manager said with a chuckle.
Lamoriello also said yesterday that his continued pursuit of Kovalchuk is not hamstringing his 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 for the free agent star. 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 left wing they acquired from Atlanta as an upcoming unrestricted on Feb. 4. A source previously had 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’ve 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 Wednesday when Kovalchuk’s camp presented them with 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 also were said to be the Devils’ main competition in the trade by Atlanta that brought New Jersey Kovlachuk, Anssi Salmela and a swap of seconds, for Niclas Bergfors, Johnny Oduya, prospect Patrice Cormier and a first-round pick.