USC09

Congrats to Gio!!!

I believe that Lou will handpick his successor, but honestly he has not had any thought on that issue yet since I think he will be the GM for another 5-8 years. Who knows what happens during these next few years, maybe there is a good leader emerging that is capable of being GM. I would say this, it will not be Lou's son Chris nor would it be Marty or Scotty Stevens. I see someone like a David Conte, since he has a huge influence on Lou in the player personnel area and has turned down numerous GM openings in the past due to his loyalty and dedication to the Devils organization. Maybe Steve Pellegrini, who is Lou's salary cap guru. These two are likely the front-runners if Lou would call it quits after this year, which won't happen. IF its someone outside the organization, I would go with Martin Madden, who leads the Ducks scouting department and John Weisbrod, who was once the River Rats GM.

If nothing happens by end tomorrow Thursday the 19th, then everything will be put off again until next week.

They should leave it and not change it to Philly. The Caps could have won it and beaten Philly.

I think a new contract will be agreed upon by the end of the week simply because training camp is upon us and I think just like the Blackhawks did last summer with their players that the NHL warned them of their contracts, Lou will try o get this resolved quickly so he can conduct other team business. I don't see this being a huge drag. Yes there is no timetable for a deal, but I think it will work itself out. So our projected line up with and without Kovy is as follows: Without: Parise Zajac Langenbrunner Elias Arnott Zubrus Rolston Pelley Clarkson Tedenby Josefson Henrique Extras: LeBlond, Zharkov With: Parise Zajac Langenbrunner Kovalchuk Arnott Elias Zubrus Pelley Clarkson Tedenby Josefson Henrique Extras: LeBlond, Zharkov Defense: Greene Volchenkov Salvador Tallinder White Corrente/Urbom Extras: Fraser, Eckford

I really hope the arbitrator approves the Kovalchuk Contract, but I do agree that the NHL needs term limits on contracts. I think it should be no more than 8-10 years per contract and that the complete 1st year salary should be the number counting against the cap. After the 1st year of the contract is up, then the average salary should be the cap hit. So lets say a player signs a 10 year/$60 million dollar contract at an average of $6 mil per year, but makes $8 million in year one, then $8 mil should count against the cap. After that its ($52mil/9 which is $5.8 million) that counts against the cap. This would be the appropriate way to avoid what the NHL calls cap circumvention.

I hope he makes up his mind before I bolt for Amsterdam this Thursday night.

I expect Kovalchuk to make a decision, but it won't happen on "The Decision."

For me its also the Montreal Canadiens.

Once this post turns 200 pages, Kovy will sign.

111 pages for a post, lets hope that when Kovy makes his decision, its not as long.

right now I don't really care anymore, I am seriosuly starting to think that Lou should pull out and maybe go for two for the price of one. Lee Stempniak might not be a bad choice and could be a steal.

TG should just stop Tampering with Lou. You obviously know Lou won't ever give you much, so its typical Lou talk. Look, I think right now its either Devils or KHL.

That is definitely why its taking longer than expected. Another is the obvious July 4th holiday. I expected July 1st to be very busy and then rapid slow down of the market until Monday July 5th at the earliest. I think by the end of next week you will see Kovy finalize a contract with someone. So look for the action to pick up again late Monday afternoon or definitely Tuesday once the holiday ends. I am happy with the Devils signings so far especially Volchenkov.

I like the moves the Devils have made. Let Paul Martin take his upper body soreness baggage to Pittsburgh. He said all the right things leading up to Free Agency, but he wanted to get his 5 million and he got it. Yes its a big loss, but come to think of it signing Tallinder and Volchenkov, two very gritty defenseman with some skill is a plus. The Devils need shot blocking which they only did on a limited basis against Philly and during the regular season. Let's not forget Tallinder is good physically and can win one on one battles and plays an up tempo defensive style. I'll say these are good moves for the Devils regardless of Kovalchuk, because they found ways to win without him and remember this is a salary cap world and Parise is the face of the Devils, so they need to focus in him more than Kovy.

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Lou Lamoriello has stated that he will try to clear cap space for something to be worked out if the team resigns Kovalchuk and Martin, but I would not call losing them both Doomsday. Here is potentially what the line-up could look like is both are gone with my interpretation on what Free Agents to sign: Forwards: Parise Zajac Langenbrunner Elias Arnott Afinogenov Rolston (Cullen or Malhotra) Clarkson Tedenby Josefson Henrique Extras: Pelley Notes: Cullen and Afinogenov would not command too much money and Cullen is an upgrade over Rob Niedermayer, but Nieds could be an ok fall back on the 3rd line. Defense: Greene Michalek Salvador Corvo White Corrente Extras: Eckford, Fraser Notes: Corvo and Michalek are both Right-Handed Shooting D-Men with some upside. Volchenkov is probably heading to the Caps as rumored. Gonchar is likely staying in Pittsburgh as the need for a 3rd year in his deal will scare some teams off. Hamhuis is probably headed home to Vancouver.

I would only assume that Kovalchuk wants to stay in the East to be near his 3 month old son. They do own a home in Florida, but Jersey is a good place to live and its very easy to get a flight to Russia from EWR or JFK. Plus he wants to win and yes the Kings will have cap issues themselves with Smyth, Doughty, Kopitar and other players. The teams that I see going after Kovalchuk are: Devils Leafs Red Wings (Only team in west where I could see him land) Habs Senators Sabres Capitals (if they trade Semin) Panthers Lightning

That is probably just in case Gonchar leaves.

Right the line-up looks like this: Parise Zajac Langenbrunner Elias Arnott Zubrus Rolston Pelley Clarkson Tedenby Josefson Henrique Extras: Leblond, Peters Salvador Greene White Corrente Eckford Salmela Extras: Gelinas

The Devils do need size and a center, but this could be a sign of things to come or that the Preds could be having a fire sale. They need to address their defensive corps as well. Good move by Lou though, but I think this is purely to get Elias out of the funk he is in.

To me it does not matter what the style is, what matters is effort, which the Devils did not give against the Flyers. If the Devils played smart and gave an effort they could have beaten them. They have to minimize flat games next year.

In 5 minutes there will be protests and riots outside Bell Centre with posters of Pierre Gauthier being burned.

Pierre Gauthier and Bob Gainey should be fired for making this move. At least I would have if I was the owner, terrible move for the Habs and one they will regret forever. Price is terrible. They better have received a great return package in the deal.

Congrats to Johnny Mac!!! Will the Press Conference air on MSG Plus or MSG?