Mark Easson

20925 Articles

The Guy who won’t sign … Elias hoping for Kaberle … Neal and Stars not close

Helene Elliott of the LA Times: Ilya Kovalchuk left Los Angeles Tuesday afternoon, his agent stayed to have more talks with GM Dean Lombardi, but left last night without a deal in place. There were rumors that the talks were…

Mark Easson

Ilya Kovalchuk update #624 … Chicago may now have to move Patrick Sharp

Helene Elliott of the LA Times: Ilya Kovalchuk and his agent met with Los Angeles Kings GM Dean Lombardi yesterday. Club executives didn't say much, and there is no indication if they were any closer on a deal. Kovalchuk toured…

Mark Easson

Blackhawks to match offer to Niklas Hjalmarsson

ESPN: The Chicago Blackhawks will be matching the offer sheet that Niklas Hjalmarsson signed with the San Jose Sharks. The Blackhawks had until Friday to match the 4 year, $14 million contract. If the 'Hawks had decided not to match…

Mark Easson

Kovalchuk in LA to meet with the Kings … Gagne: has he or hasn’t he? Offer sheet for Neal next?

Helene Elliott of the LA Times: Ilya Kovalchuk will be meeting with executives of the Los Angeles Kings today. Twice the Kings have said they are finished negotiating with Kovalchuk, after his agent Jay Grossman, stood pat on a 10…

Mark Easson

Rangers need Kovalchuk? Modano has more options … Burke still looking for more … Bruins remaining off-season issues

Larry Brooks of the NY Post: The Rangers don't have any young, blue chip prospects coming up that would need to receive big contracts once Marc Staal is done, so they don't need to conserve money on that front. They…

Mark Easson

Though choices in Chicago … Gagne to Leafs? No ‘Sweat’ for Leafs? Senators need a tough Dman

Tim Sassone of the Chicago Tribune: With the Sharks signing Niklas Hjalmarsson to a 4 year, $14 million offer sheet, the Blackhawks may have to decide if they want to keep Hjalmarsson, Antti Niemi, or possibly Patrick Sharp. The Blackhawks…

Mark Easson

Sharks sign Niklas Hjalmarsson to offer sheet

TSN: Niklas Hjalmarsson signs the first offer sheet of 2010. The San Jose Sharks signed the restricted free agent to a 4 year, $14 million offer sheet. That would be a cap hit of $3.5 million. The Chicago Blackhawks have…

Mark Easson

More on that Kovalchuk guy … Gagne might get waived if trade can’t be found … Chara, Bergeron getting extension?

Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Ilya Kovalchuk wants to play in Los Angeles, and the Kings would like to have, but the Kings won't pay the money/term that Kovalchuk wants. The Kings may be looking to avoid a 'Blackhawks' situation, with…

Mark Easson

Kings out of the Kovalchuk sweepstakes, again … Zherdev to Flyers could happen today … Leafs looking for winger, not centerman

Helene Elliott of the LA Times: The Los Angeles Kings have once again said no to Ilya Kovalchuk. The Kings looked at Kovalchuk's agent, Jay Grossman's, proposal and found they wouldn't be able to retain some of their young players…

Mark Easson

Nabokov going to Russia … Zherdev signing with the Flyers? No comment for Kovalchuk agent

4:37 PM: Helene Elliott via Twitter: "Kings believed to have gotten a proposal from Kovalchuk, but nothing has been settled and no response is imminent." 4:20 PM: Aaron Portzline via Twitter: Flyers and Zherdev deal could be finalized tonight. Pierre…

Mark Easson

Kovalchuk and Kings talks back on? Gagne trade tied to Kovalchuk

Helen Elliott via Twitter: Kings GM Dean Lombardi says Kings and Kovalchuk are "re-engaged", Kovalchuk to make counter-offer today. Pierre LeBrun heard the same thing this morning. Chuck Gormley of the Courier Post: The trading of Simon Gagne may be…

Mark Easson

Kovalchuk and the Devils … Modano, Wings or retirement … Family concerns for Nabokov

Mark Everson of the NY Post: Nothing much has changed with Ilya Kovalchuk and the New Jersey Devils the past couple days. They are still considered the leading NHL candidate (maybe the only NHL candidate) to sign the Russian super-star.…

Mark Easson