NHL Today (8/28): Kovalchuk, Kariya, Gagner, Staal, Markov, and More

Update:

Added info on Kennedy

Ilya Kovalchuk

The NHL is expected to accept the Devils' latest offer or it's off to the KHL for Ilya.

According to the Ottawa Citizen, the contract lasts 15 years and is worth $100M, which comes out to $6.66M a year. A coincidence? I think not.

Paul Kariya

According to Kariya's agent, he will NOT be playing next season due to PCS, post-concussion syndrome. Sorry, Ducks fans. Selanne and Kariya won't be reunited—just yet.

Sam Gagner

The Oilers are close to signing RFA forward Sam Gagner. However, a source is saying that he wants a one-year deal as opposed to the multi-year deal the Oilers' management are currently offering.

"Sam Gagner wants a one year deal, Oilers want more years" via @The_NHL_News

I would think that it would be the other way around, but maybe Gagner wants out of Edmonton soon?

More news out of Edmonton

• Goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin has been found guilty of DUI. He could spend up to 30 days in jail. Some say that he could be traded.
• The Edmonton Journal is reporting that the Oilers had a trade in place for Souray last season that would have sent Souray to Philly for forward Scott Hartnell, who agreed to waive his no-movement clause to go to Edmonton. The deal never 'died.' However, other sources have come out denying this rumor. 

Marc Staal

According to the same Twitter account that broke the story on Gagner, the San Jose Sharks seem interested in RFA defenseman Marc Staal.

I guess they could throw him an offer sheet, but Sather will match it unless it is some ludicrous offer.

Maybe a trade could be in the works? If it is indeed a trade, maybe the rumored trade with the Ducks for Ryan will go down?

Update:

Staal's agent, Paul Krepelka, has come out denying reports that Staal is hoping for an offer sheet soon.

Andrei Markov

Dave Stubbs of the Montreal Gazette reports that agent Don Meehan has said that Habs' GM Pierre Gauthier will wait until the "right time" to sign Markov to an extension. Could be good news for Habs fans. 

Bill Guerin

Joe Yerdon of NBCSPORTS.com believes the veteran winger could sign with one of these teams:

• Buffalo
• St. Louis
• NY Islanders
• Colorado
• Atlanta

Tim Kennedy

Buckey Gleason of Buffalo News reports that Kennedy isn't close to signing yet. He believes the young forward could sign with one of these teams:

• Toronto
• Columbus
• L.A.
• Phoenix
• Atlanta

Stay tuned for more updates coming soon!

 

• More info on Staal
• Added info on Markov
• Added info on Guerin
• Added info on Kennedy

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