The Los Angeles Kings are reported to be out of the Ilya Kovalchuk sweepstakes.
At one point, they seemed like the front-runners, but after a lucrative offer from the New York Islanders, the Kings have fled from the Russian superstar.
Kings GM Dean Lombardi would not tell exactly why they removed their bid on the talented winger.
"We took our best shot to meet his needs and the team's," Lombardi explained to the Times' Helene Elliott on Sunday.
There are a few possible reasons why the Kings withdrew themselves from the Kovy sweepstakes: Maybe Kovalchuk didn't like the idea of playing in L.A.; maybe he liked the offer from the Islanders or Devils better.
Or maybe he just, flat out, wanted more money that the Kings don't have to spend.
This leaves the New Jersey Devils and the New York Islan ...
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Article written by Kaelan Lupton
NHL Free Agency: Ilya Kovalchuk Out Of Los Angeles Kings’ Reach
Posted: 4th July 2010 by Kaelan Lupton in NHLComments Off on NHL Free Agency: Ilya Kovalchuk Out Of Los Angeles Kings’ Reach