On the New York Islanders and John Tavares …
Brett Cyrgalis of the NY Post: The anxiety levels are increasing for some, but many think there is no need to panic yet that the NY Islanders haven’t re-signed John Tavares.
Tavares is being patient, and the Islanders are keeping him informed with regards to potential arena deals, free agent signings and trades.
The Islanders could still be looking to add more offensive help for Tavares with the Matt Duchene’s name as a target.
On the New Jersey Devil and Ilya Kovalchuk …
Igor Eronko: Ilya Kovalchuk on Russia-24 TV: “I think this will be my last season in SKA. I want to return to the NHL. There’re some dreams left”
Andrew Gross: (ask if any intentions for the Devils to bring Kovalchuk back or just a sign-and-trade) “Implication was Kovy would tell Shero where he could get a contract. Never got to that but other implication was it was not going to be NJ.”
Andrew Gross of The Record: Devils GM Ray Shero on if he was disappointed that Kovalchuk chose to re-sign in the KHL and not being able to get some assets back for him.
“Like I said many times, I didn’t really have the expectations because it more or less came out of the blue, and I knew if he was not signed this year, he’d go back to Russia, he’d potentially be a free agent next year if he wants to come back a year from now. I couldn’t control any of that. He was kind of our asset, but kind of not, if you know what I mean. I didn’t control where I could trade him, sign and trade him. It was really up to him and what was good for him and his family. I never got involved in that part with teams, because that was up to Kovy. He’s a really good player, and if he had been back this year it would have been fantastic and if it’s going to be next year for himself, that’s great. It won’t be in New Jersey.”
Shero on if he ever received an offer for Kovalchuk.
“No not really. It was, ‘I talked to this team, that team, do you mind following up?’ Which I did, and like I said, I never had an offer I turned down. He had to get a deal somewhere. That was step one. Nothing happens with him. That never happened, at least to bring to me for me to consider anything. So again whatever happened in that process, I don’t know. It wasn’t my business, it was theirs. I was ready for point B but never got there. Again I wish him luck, and it didn’t seem to work for him, but certainly an opportunity to compete in the Olympics this year for him as well.”