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Your comments: Itchy for Kovalchuk decision, Devils fans debating rumors, cap moves

Highlighting the best comments from the NJ.com community

Saed Hindash/The Star-LedgerDevils fans are waiting to hear where Ilya Kovalchuck will sign

The Devils appear to be tantalizingly close to signing the grand prize in this year's free-agent pool, Ilya Kovalchuk. A couple of media outlets Monday were saying a 7-year $60 million deal was about to be done, but the Star-Ledger's Rich Chere quotes Devils Lou Lamoriello as of 9:12 Tuesday saying that there is nothing to announce. If the rumored figure is correct, that would put the Devils over the cap for the coming season, requiring them to shed salary - Chere discusses some of the ramifications of a Kovalchuk deal that large in a Monday blog post.

NJ.com Devils fans are extremely itchy for this news, which Kovalchuk's agent has Tweeted might happen today - one commenter comparing it for waiting for the birth of a baby. Some talk remains of Kovalchuck's style not being suited to the Devils, and others are playing fantasy GM, shedding cap room with all kinds of trades. Here are a couple of comments.

From NJ.com Devils fan coconn:

I'll be happy IF the coaches get him to play with the team. Last year I felt he was given too much free reign and I think the team lost chemistry after he came onboard. I think he is awesome and amazing to watch but I only want him if the team meshes. I don't want to watch the Kovy show anymore

And from devsrule1014, responding to some Ranger-fan infiltration into the comments:

Woooow son, put down the haterade and sip on some of that fine koolaid that most americans drink. Everythings gonna be OK. And yes having Kovy with the recent signings will make the Devs a Cup contenender, as we were last year after the trade. Just so happens we got waxed.

So we adjust what was thought to be wrong. Kovy was NOT what was wrong, so that is why Lou is doing everything he can to keep him. Which is what he has been doing since the day he met him on the plane from Atlanta. Best of luck pulling this one off Lou!!!

Respond to these comments by going straight to the comments section of the article.

Devils GM Lou Lamoriello: Nothing new on Ilya Kovalchuk front

Team is waiting to hear Russian's decision

Saed Hindash/The Star-LedgerWill he be back with Devils?

Unless another NHL team has entered the battle to sign unrestricted free agent Ilya Kovalchuk, it appears the Devils remain the favorites to land the Russian left winger.

At this point, the Devils are still waiting to hear Kovalchuk's decision, which could come down to staying in New Jersey or playing in the KHL in Russia.

"Everything is status quo," Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello said today. "There is nothing new today."

Lamoriello did not want to comment on the state of talks with agent Jay Grossman.

Kovalchuk seems to be weighing his options, which may be fewer than most anticipated. If the Devils have made a firm offer, it could be for less than Kovalchuk had wanted.

The Islanders have apparently dropped out of the Kovalchuk sweepstakes and never did put an offer on the table. Islanders GM Garth Snow confirmed that he did talk to Grossman.

"I'd rather keep those conversations between Jay and myself," Snow told Newsday.

Snow also told the Long Island newspaper: "When there are top free agents available, we're going to go after them. Obviously, if we make the call, we have interest. We have interest in the top free agents now and we will in the future."

The Devils have less than $4.5 million in cap space available. They could sign Kovalchuk and go over the cap limit, but would have to shed enough salary by opening day in October. Lamoriello suggested the team's cap situation is not a problem as far as signing Kovalchuk.

Grossman posted on his twitter account that Kovalchuk has narrowed his choices, suggesting  a decision could come today.

"That's certainly out of our hands," Lamoriello said.

*    *     *

Lamoriello said he wasn't surprised Mark Fraser had filed for salary arbitration.

"We talked about that," the GM said.

It sounds as though Fraser filed to protect himself. The two sides could work out a new contract before it goes to arbitration.

*    *     *

The Devils will bring their prospects in for a mini-camp beginning Monday at the Prudential Center.