Mark Everson of the NY Post: The NHL has until Wednesday to decide if they are going to reject or accept the latest Ilya Kovalchuk contract. The contract is said to be 15 years and $100 million, a $6.67 million cap hit. The Devils will then have to shed more than $3 million in salary, plus an extra couple million for injury call-ups. Some say Lou has some deals ready to go if the contract is accepted. Dallas could be interested in Bryce Salvador ($2.9 million) and Dainius Zubrus ($3.4 million) could be moved.
Mark Everson of the NY Post: The Kovalchuk saga could be coming to an end soon (thank god). Kovalchuk may have received some interest throughout this process from the Kings, Islanders, Stars, Blues and KHL SKA St. Petersburg. During Monday’s meeting with the league, Kovalchuk reportedly gave a weekend deadline for the leagues approval and threatened that the KHL could be possible.
Bucky Gleason of the Buffalo News: Tim Kennedy is still one of the unsigned forwards looking for an NHL contract. 5 teams have shown interest in Kennedy, possibly the Toronto Maple Leafs, Columbus Blue Jackets, Los Angeles Kings, Phoenix Coyotes and Atlanta Thrashers. He thinks he can get a one-way contract but realizes he might have to take two-way deal.
Chris Custance of the Sporting News: Getting an offer sheet isn’t being focused on by Marc Staal’s agent, Paul Krepelka. Krepelka said there is no truth to the rumor that they were hoping to get one.
