It's hard to say what was going on in the minds of the Islanders, Devils and Kings front offices. I don't know for sure how hard of a push the Islanders made for Ilya Kovalchuk or if he ever even considered signing here. I do know one thing though. If I were GM Garth Snow, I'd have done everything I could have to bring him year.
He ultimately signed a 17 year deal to return to New Jersey. Rough numbers are that it was at 102 million and it could reach much higher. That is a lot of years and a lot of money. Chances are, he wont play it out - he'll be 44 at the end of 17 years. What I heard though, is that the Islanders just barely had their feet in the water with Kovalchuk. This is unacceptable. There is a chance the team is moved and what is being done to convince ownership to stay?
The Lighthouse project seems like it was a wash. That could have been great for Long Island and Nassau County, but it appears no one other than Charles Wang and Islander fans wanted it to happen. It has long been known that Long Island is a tough draw for free agents. Despite the proximity to NYC and the great beaches, free agents just do not want to play at the Nassau Coliseum.
Snow had the money to bring in a BIG free agent like Kovalchuk, but did nothing. This team is losing fans and money and Kovalchuk might have been a franchise savior. Along with Tavares and Okposo, fans would have been selling out the Coliseum to see them play together. Kovalchuk would have brought hope and life to this dying team. I can't say for sure if the team is going to be moved, but if I'm Charles Wang there is nothing that makes me want to stay here and I can't blame him. If the team is moved to Kansas City or wherever, we can always look back at the day Kovalchuk resigned with the Devils and wonder if we missed our chance.
The problem with the Islanders and Kovalchuk was that management didn't want to commit long-term aka 17 years while that's all Kovy wanted. With Yashin and DP being disasters, I understand how they could be a little tentative. The problem is that they needed help and it seems Snow either missed out on some offensive UFA's or we simply couldn't draw any interest.
ReplyDeleteI think they're in okay shape with or without Kovy. They improved greatly last year and it was only because of the young guys growing together and a better goaltending tandem. We have a lot of talent that isn't going anywhere and even though our future location is in doubt, our chances to be a force in as soon as 3 years is very possible
Well, apparently the league has rejected the deal and he is still a FA. Maybe Snow will read this and realize what he has to do.
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