Los Angeles Times: Helen Elliott reports, the infamous insider sources claim the Islanders could be close to finalizing a deal with Ilya Kovalchuk.
NYIFC Comments:
Garth Snow confirmed he's inquiring/in on Ilya Kovalchuk and doing what he does with other free agents, so I'll provide a few quick thoughts, and call it a night/early morning after two days of endless blogging & twittering.
The sources/claims of anything mean absolutely nothing without a confirmed signing.
Maybe Kovalchuk is in a place where it's daytime and things will continue through the night.
It's nice the Islanders are inquiring/interested, but until he is actually signed this can work a lot of ways, pr and negotiation wise for both sides.
From the Isles side, that the message is out they will try to spend, as Snow has repeatedly said he could, whether he lands Kovalchuk or not.
Both the owner and gm look good for making the effort, if he passes on huge money, it's not the first team he reportedly turned down.
It also means if Snow fails to sign Kovalchuk, this move indicates Snow has to be financially committed right now to improving their scoring for next season. This move indicates he is not satisfied with his scoring, regardless of roster depth in previous entry.
From Kovalchuk/agent's side, they could well be using Isles to get final/best offers from other teams, they would be foolish not to.
Both sides play these games in negotiations.
We'll see.
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