Thread: Hradek-Lombardi's intense questioning turned off Kovalchuk

July 12-14
The Kings, now back in the mix -- this was a confusing summer to be a hockey writer -- host Kovalchuk, his wife (Nicole) and Grossman in Los Angeles. The sides talk for two days. During his trip, Kovalchuk meets some of his potential Kings teammates as well as L.A. Galaxy soccer icon David Beckham. The Kings present Kovalchuk with a 15-year offer worth approximately $80 million. One source would later tell me that Kovalchuk was turned off by intense questioning from Kings GM Dean Lombardi. At the time, though, the Kings appear to be the favorite to land the sniper.

NHL: Recapping the summer of Ilya Kovalchuk - ESPN

Makes you wonder if it really was Dean's idea to sign Kovalchuk.

Originally Posted by nki

NHL: Recapping the summer of Ilya Kovalchuk - ESPN

Makes you wonder if it really was Dean's idea to sign Kovalchuk.

was that really in question?

I'm sure it was the "intense questioning" and not the $20 million gulf between offers.

I have news for you.

Kovalchuk was turned off by the missing $22m that wasn't in the Kings offer, and absolutely nothing else. You really think a few questions made a damn bit of difference? Honestly?

There is NOTHING that turns you off about a GM who offers you top dollar.

DL didn't offer top dollar, so who the hell cares what IK has to say? He is a Devil, and he can go %$#@ himself.

Originally Posted by Wolvie

I'm sure it was the "intense questioning" and not the $20 million gulf between offers.

This...

And why would DL not do a thorough ("intense") job interviewing a player he was going to commit $80 million to?!! What was he supposed to do, just whip out his check book, no questions asked? This is just to maronic for words!

dl: "are you now, or have you ever been a member of the communist party?"
kovy: "..."
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I thought they were more like 40 mil apart. Wasn't it like an extra 20 mil that didn't count against the cap?

The guy has scored 40 goals how many times? He's got enough of a resume that allows him a certain level of entitlement. It's not like he's Patrick O'Sullivan. The point I was trying to make is either Lombardi didn't really want him or he's ridiculously conservative.