Helene Elliott of the LA Times: According to one of Elliott’s sources, “he’s 98% sure” that Ilya Kovalchuk and the Los Angeles Kings will get a deal done, either side will not comment on it. (For the love of God please get this over with). Some of the stumbling blocks have been how Kovalchuk will be payed during the potential lockout season of 2012-13, if he’ll get a no-trade or no-movement clause, and if there is clause to give him veto on a trade, or selecting a number teams he’d consider joining.
Dave Fuller of the Toronto Sun: Brian Burke has pulled the Maple Leafs offer to Bill Sweatt off the table. The Leafs acquired Sweatt in the Kris Versteeg deal. The Leafs have/had until August 15th to sign him to an entry level deal or he would become an unrestricted free agent. The Leafs are close to the maximum of 50 player contracts. I would think Burke will try to shop Sweatt around, maybe adding a draft pick or putting him in a trade package.
Chris Botta of NYI Point Blank: Doug Weight will be back with the New York Islanders next season, but they are in no rush to get the deal done. The Isles are below the salary cap floor, and could use Weight’s bonus laden contract to reach the minimum.
Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Lee Stempniak scored 28 goals last season, 2nd most amoung free agents, but still finds himself without a contract. Stempniak and his agent are still talking to teams, but it’s been a slow process. He and the Coyotes have a mutual interest in each other, and at the right price, the Coyotes would like to have him back.
Elliotte Friedman of CBCsports: (worth a read) He writes about the Kovalchuk situation, how it’s not a ‘ripe’ market, why some draft picks fall, and his 30 thoughts.
Dan Rosen via Twitter: Red Wings coach Mike Babcock on Mike Modano,”I look forward to him signing. I think that’s inevitable. I think that’s what is going to happen.”
Dmitry Chesnokov via Twitter: Alexei Yashin’s agent said that the New York Islanders are always interested in him.
