Kovalchuk happy to return to New Jersey
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07/20/2010 -
Newark, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New Jersey Devils made it official on
Tuesday and re-introduced superstar left wing Ilya Kovalchuk, who agreed to a
17-year contract worth a reported $102 million on Monday.
Kovalchuk was acquired by the Devils last February in a trade with Atlanta and
tested the free agent waters this summer before deciding to return to New
Jersey.
"This was a tough process for me. This was the biggest decision of my life,"
said Kovalchuk at Tuesday's press conference. "I believe I made the best
choice for me and my family."
New Jersey and the Los Angeles Kings were Kovalchuk's two main pursuers since
the free agent signing period began July 1.
The Newark Star-Ledger reported terms of the contract, breaking down the pact
year-by-year. He's due to earn $6 million in each of the next two seasons,
$11.5 million from 2012-17 and $10.5 million the following year. The salary
falls off after that until he makes $550,000 annually the final five years of
the deal. He would be 44 years old when the contract concludes in 2027.
"I'll only be 44, so I hope I'm going to keep myself in shape to keep
playing," Kovalchuk quipped.
Kovalchuk played 27 games last season for the Devils after being acquired from
Atlanta and compiled 10 goals and 17 assists to help New Jersey win the
Atlantic Division crown. He added two goals and four assists in five playoff
games as the Devils were ousted by Philadelphia in the first round.
"There is unfinished business from last season," Kovalchuk added. "That was
the biggest reason I wanted to stay here. I know we're going to do much better
in the future years than we did last year."
Kovalchuk turned down reported offers of $70 million over seven years and $100
million over 12 years from the Thrashers, who finally gave up on re-signing
the sniper and sent him to New Jersey in a package that netted Atlanta
defenseman Johnny Oduya, right wing Niclas Bergfors, forward Patrice Cormier
and a first-round draft pick.
Selected with the first overall pick of the 2001 draft, Kovalchuk twice
reached 52 goals with Atlanta and last season combined to score 41 goals in 76
games. The 27-year-old Russian native has 338 goals and 304 assists for 642
points in 621 regular-season games. He is Atlanta's all-time leader in
virtually every offensive category and gives the Devils an offensive player in
the prime of his career, something the organization has never really had, but
at a price the franchise has never before paid.
"What you have to understand is we just built a tremendous facility here, and
[the owners] have made a commitment to winning. This type of a decision is for
that reason," Devils CEO Lou Lamoriello said about why the team broke from its
usual frugal direction.
"We have a player that will complement the players we have, that [in turn]
will complement him. The logo in front will always be more important than the
name on the back. The thing I feel the best about is there's nothing more
important than the team. I spoke with Ilya about that when he first came
here."
Kovalchuk also said as much Tuesday, also acknowledging teammates Martin
Brodeur, Jamie Langenbrunner, Zach Parise and Patrik Elias, who were in
attendance.
"We have an unbelievable group of guys, I can't name all of them," Kovalchuk
noted, adding that the franchise's winning past also played a role in his
decision. "The history, first of all, then -- when I first came here -- I saw
the way the organization treats its players. I'll be a Devil for life. They're
a first-class organization."
It's been a busy offseason for the Devils, as the club named John MacLean its
new head coach and signed defensemen Henrik Tallinder and Anton Volchenkov.
New Jersey also re-acquired center Jason Arnott, who scored a double-overtime
goal in the clinching Game 6 of the 2000 Stanley Cup Finals against Dallas, in
a trade with Nashville.
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Kansas City, MO - Kansas City has not officially named Matt Cassel its starting quarterback, but there can be no doubt now.
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After praising his leadership and work ethic through spring workouts, the Chiefs announced Tuesday they had signed the 27-year-old Cassel to a multiyear contract. Terms were not disclosed, but he will almost certainly be one of the highest-paid members of the team.
"We are excited to be able to reach a long-term agreement for Matt Cassel to be a Kansas City Chief for many years to come," owner and board chairman Clark Hunt said in a statement. "His proven leadership on and off the field will be a tremendous asset to the organization."
Patriots made him their franchise player, meaning his salary for this season will be about $15 million.
New head coach Todd Haley, taking over for Herm Edwards after a 2-14 season, refused to name a starter at any position during offseason workouts. But it was obvious to everyone the team belonged to Cassel.
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nse to accommodate his specific abilities.
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Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, who had been Bill Belichick's assistant in New England, engineered the trade after the Patriots became convinced that Brady would recover fully from his knee operation.
"Since Matt arrived in Kansas City, he has embraced the team and the community," Pioli said. "His work ethic, his ability and competitive presence is what we expect from our players."
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Bonds nearly hits HR 751, SF wins
4 and drove in
a pair of runs, and Barry Bonds nearly hit homer No. 751 as San Francisco beat
1, in the middle contest of three at AT&T Park.
6) allowed five hits and one run over 6 2/3 innings, fanning
eight and walking three.
game slide.
Bonds, who came within five homers of Hank Aaron's record on Friday, went
1 with three walks, an RBI double and scored twice. The double ...
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