Rangers rightfully pass on Kovalchuk as he signs with L.A.
Ilya Kovalchuk has agreed to sign with the L.A. Kings for a whopping $6.25M per season for the next 3 years.
KHL’s leading scorer and 2018 Olympic MVP Ilya Kovalchuk will join the LA Kings for the 2018-19 season after agreeing to terms on a 3-year contract.https://t.co/xp15gyuKBu
— LA Kings (@LAKings) June 23, 2018
Kovalchuk deal is three years with an AAV of $6.25M. Same as Patrick Marleau.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 23, 2018
Gorton Rightfully Passed
While the rumors had Kovalchuk going to the Rangers dating all the way back to last season, Gorton was right to pass on him at those numbers. The Rangers do have a lot of Russians projected to play a prominent role within the next 2 years and he would’ve have been a great mentor, but not at that price.
The story that Ilya wanted to win a Cup was also a ruse considering L.A. is not going into next season a Cup favorite. If he wanted a Cup above all else, Washington and Pittsburgh would have easily given him a one year deal for about $1-2 million.
Ultimately this was all about money and the Rangers have plenty, but it should be used on younger players. The Rangers have many RFA’s to sign and could use that money to sign John Carlson this summer.
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