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On Ilya Kovalchuk, Devils Ownership And More

August 16, 2014, 9:54 AM ET [55 Comments]
Todd Cordell
New Jersey Devils Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
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Though it's still August, there have been a few news bits floating around the last couple days in relation to the Devils.

Some of note:

- Devils GM Lou Lamoriello put to rest any rumors of Ilya Kovalchuk returning to the team; at least for now. Lamoriello told Rich Chere that Kovalchuk can't return until he's 35 (the 2018-19 season), and that as a 31-year-old bringing him back four years down the road isn't something they're planning on. Lamoriello never ruled it out, but it's hard to say in four years that a) Kovalchuk will return; b) he'll still be worth signing and; c) the team will have use for him and/or want him back.

- Owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer are losing money with the Devils, according to Tom Gulitti. With that in mind, they're both adamant that down the road this team will turn into a plus-revenue business. They also noted they have absolutely no plans to sell the team now or in the future.

Via Gulitti's post: “Having been lucky enough to actually invest in a team, let alone in my home state in a sport that I love, why would you ever sell that? Literally, ever,” Blitzer, who grew up in Scotch Plains, said today. “The team happens to mostly be in a trust for my kids and my grandkids, but I think Josh and I both think pretty clearly that we would never sell.”


- Greg Wyshynski and Jeff Marek were talking about the future of the Devils on their podcast the other day, and had some nice things to say. While they both agreed the Devils prospect pipeline up front is pretty bare - it certainly is - they noted the Devils' long list of quality defense prospects, and that their blue line could be really good going forward. Marek noted he's a big fan of Damon Severson (who isn't?) and that Steven Santini could turn out to be a real good player down the road. Can't say I disagree.

- In light of the Bruins inviting Simon Gagne to training camp, it'll be interesting to see which guys the Devils take a look at. They usually send out at least a couple invites to NHL players without contracts. I know they certainly don't need a forward, but inviting a guy like Devin Setoguchi or Dustin Penner couldn't hurt. Just something to watch as we approach camp.

- I accepted the ALS ice bucket challenge in support of awareness towards ALS. Please go to ALS.ca or ALS.org for more information on the disease and to learn how to donate.

Devils posts

Mattias Tedenby signs two-year deal in Sweden

Devils have one prospect ranked in ESPN's top-100

Is Reid Boucher NHL ready?

On the league's best offensive penalty killers

Comparing Zajac, Jagr to NHL's elite duos

On Metro Division goaltending

On Travis Zajac and Mike Cammalleri

Jackets posts

Three Million Apart

Who should be the team's next captain?

Sonny Milano ripped it up at U.S. WJ evaluation camp

Paying Enforcers

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