I know many of you, but now I am getting a bit fed up with this Kovalchuk saga.
Is he uncertain where he wants to go? Is there anything else, we may not know, holding this up? Does he really know where he wants to land?

I think he has squeezed himself out of the market in terms of salary requirements as teams are moving forward utilizing cap space by adding pieces to their puzzle. If I am Uncle Lou I am asking myself "Does this guy really want to be a Devil?" If so, he would have already found a way to make a committment.
The more this drags Devils fans area sking themselves "As much as this guy is a stud and we would like to have him - The actions, or stalemate, makes us think he does not really want to be here. And the Devils do not want anyone on the team who does not want to be here!"

As Ek reports his findings, the story is getting dragged... We do not know what is going on behind the scenes but the fact that Jay Grossman has come back to LA asking numbers to be revisited says New Jersey is not on top of his list.

Dont be surprised if he signs a one or two year Deal anywhere, and the Devils are a top option if he wants to win now and hopefully get a huge pay day, pending no lockout, at the end of that deal. Does Uncle Lou bite into a 1 or two year deal? Perhaps, to win now and have much flexibility for Zach Parise's pay raise.

Ek is also reporting Kaberle being on the Devils radar, he doesnt happen unless Kovalchuk has gone elsewhere. I just dont see the numbers working easily.

I am losing, day by day, respect and patience with Kovalchuk. He and his agent should be concerned with the image and reputation that is brewing from the lack of decision on their camp's part. No question this is a very hard decision but there has been some time to explore and think. I do not want the NJ Devils to be the team he "settles" with. That may come back to haunt him!

At which point does Uncle Lou say "Mr. Kovalchuk, we are moving forward, if you decide to re-open the lines of communication with the New Jersey Devils we will see where we are at that point and if we can accommodate you."
I think that time may be approaching soon...

On other news...
Tom Gulitti of the Fire and Ice blog (If you have not read his stuff, I highly recommend you do) is following the prospects camp.
Here is the lineup he has reported being on the ice with a scrimmage this afternoon:

White: Matt Corrente, Corbin McPherson, Mark Fayne, Brandon Burlon, Curtis Gedig, Alexander Urbom, Harry Young,

Red: Tyler Eckford, Eric Gelinas, Jon Merrill, Dan Kelly, Dan Kolomatis, Matt Taormina, Joe Faust, Tyler Miller.

Goalies: Jeff Lerg, Anthony Felice, Angelo Tsaganeas.

The second group is on the ice now. That group includes all the forwards.

Red: Alexander Vasyunov, Mattias Tedenby, Mauro Jorg, Jacob Josefson, Aaron Lewicki, Jordan Skellett, Scott Arnold, Bryan Haczyk, Matt Anderson, David McIntyre, Matt Lombardi.

White: Eric Chouinard, Nathan Perkovich, Ryan Hayes, Adam Henrique, Jeremie Malouin, Mike Swift, Kory Nagy, Nick Palmieri, J.S. Berube, Brad Mills, Darcy Zajac,

Goalies: Jeff Frazee, Scott Wedgewood, Maxime Clermont.

Truly yours,
The Devils Advocate

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