NHL Rumor Round-Up: Ilya Kovalchuk, Simon Gagne, and Alexander Frolov

Hello everyone. I hope you had a good Fourth of July weekend. With the ending of the holiday weekend comes the re-start of NHL Free Agency. Only four minor signings taking place over the weekend, so I’d be ready for a few crucial signings in the next few days. Here’s a look at some of the latest NHL Rumors.

Ilya Kovalchuk has reportedly denied the Los Angeles Kings offer (reports started on ESPN.com). The top teams in the hunt for Kovy are the Islanders and Devils. The Islanders are reportedly ready to offer 10 years worth $100 million. Can any team match that? We will find out soon enough.

NHL.com has reported that Simon Gagne has waived his no-trade clause. Where will he go? There have also been rumors about a possible blockbuster trade between Philadelphia and LA. This would only make sense because the Kings have struck-out on Kovy, and may be looking to add some offense (Gagne). No one has said who would be in the “blockbuster” deal, but it’s believed either Jonathon Quick or Erik Ersberg would be part of a trade.

TSN has reported that three teams from the Northeast Division, believed to be Toronto, Buffalo, and Boston, have contacted Nikolai Zherdev about a contract. Zherdev fled to the KHL after realizing that the Rangers would not pay him the $3.5 million he was asking for. After a mediocre season at best in the KHL, Zherdev wants to return to the NHL. Other possible suitors may be the Devils and Penguins.

I’m not sure how true these next two rumors really are, but ESPN.com has reported that the Rangers may be trading for a top-line center (Brad Richards' name came up in the article), and may be close to signing Alexander Frolov (who flew to New York on the 2nd of July). Again, I do not know how true those two rumors are, but it sounds pretty intriguing.

TSN has also reported that the Maple Leafs are going hard after forward Maxim Afinogenov, who scored 24 goals with 47 assists for Atlanta last season. He may be a good match when paired with Phil Kessel.

THN has reported that the Ducks and Bobby Ryan are going to take a break in their negotiations. The Flyers reportedly want Bobby Ryan.

Larry Brooks of the New York Post has reported that the Rangers are close to signing top prospect Ryan Mcdonagh to a 3-year entry level deal. He also states that Wade Redden may wind up in Hartford next season, taking his $6.5 million with him. Various other reports have come out on this article, and one report states that the Rangers may be looking to sign another veteran defenseman. We’ll just to wait to find out.

Thanks for the read, hope you enjoyed!