Kovalchuk sweepstakes are on

[CarltonTheBear]

There's been talk of Ilya Kovalchuk returning to the NHL next season in the past month. But I believe we heard similar things last year as well so I was waiting for a more concrete announcement on the topic and we just got it:

Pierre LeBrun‏ @PierreVLeBrun  11 minutes ago
Devils GM Ray Shero says he has confirmed with agent Jay Grossman that Ilya Kovalchuk definitely wants to return to the NHL next season

Shero says Grossman free to speak to other teams about a potential deal. Devils would do a sign and trade. But deal has to make sense for NJ

Kovalchuk can't officially sign an NHL contract until July 1. So lots of time for all this to play out. But the Kovalchuk sweepstakes are on

Kovalchuk just turned 34 years old. In his first 4 seasons in the KHL he hovered just around a point-per-game mark, which is good but maybe a little underwhelming for an elite talent like Kovalchuk. This season though just jumped up to 78 points in 60 games.

Before he left for the KHL, for my money Kovalchuk was a top-2 left winger in the league (along with Ovi). It's really a shame that he left, especially during his 29-33 year old seasons. He was obviously never on Jagr's level but I feel there's similarities there between those two situations and how they left for the KHL. Hopefully Kovi can come back and play at a high level again for a few more seasons.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Also, how does Kovalchuk-Matthews-Nylander sound?

 

[herman]

Also, how does Kovalchuk-Matthews-Nylander sound?

Honestly, a pylon matched on that line would still be awesome. Nylander would just gain entry, while Matthews banks the pylon off the left wall into the high slot. Nylander toe drags a check, flips the puck onto the pylon top, and Matthews hits a line drive off the tee through the low blocker hole.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Honestly, a pylon matched on that line would still be awesome. Nylander would just gain entry, while Matthews banks the pylon off the left wall into the high slot. Nylander toe drags a check, flips the puck onto the pylon top, and Matthews hits a line drive off the tee through the low blocker hole.

Would probably get about as many primary assists as Hyman did.

 

[herman]

Honestly, a pylon matched on that line would still be awesome. Nylander would just gain entry, while Matthews banks the pylon off the left wall into the high slot. Nylander toe drags a check, flips the puck onto the pylon top, and Matthews hits a line drive off the tee through the low blocker hole.

Would probably get about as many primary assists as Hyman did.

I'd take the over.

A more serious scoring threat would open up space for Nylander and Matthews. If Hyman did tip and roof practice with JvR, and if JvR did board battle drills with Hyman, I think we'd be in a pretty good spot.

 

[cabber24]

I wouldn't spend any assets on him at all, not what we need to be spending assets on right now.

 

[L K]

Honestly, a pylon matched on that line would still be awesome. Nylander would just gain entry, while Matthews banks the pylon off the left wall into the high slot. Nylander toe drags a check, flips the puck onto the pylon top, and Matthews hits a line drive off the tee through the low blocker hole.

Would probably get about as many primary assists as Hyman did.

The pylon wouldn't be able to go into the corner and flip the puck to nobody in particular as well as Hyman.

 

[dappleganger]

Please go to Las Vegas. They have the money, they need a star. Could help make them a little more competitive. 

I'm hoping Las Vegas becomes KHL-West. I hope all the Russian KHL guys looking to make the jump to the NHL join Vegas. It would generate interest and could maybe give them a chance. Unique opportunity.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Please go to Las Vegas. They have the money, they need a star. Could help make them a little more competitive. 

I'm hoping Las Vegas becomes KHL-West. I hope all the Russian KHL guys looking to make the jump to the NHL join Vegas. It would generate interest and could maybe give them a chance. Unique opportunity.

A Kovalchuk-Shipachyov-Radulov top line would actually be pretty decent.

 

[Peter D.]

One of my favourite players of all time, so I'd be down.

 

[Kin]

It'll be interesting to see how NJ treats this. Obviously getting something for Kovalchuk is better than nothing but my guess is they have a different price for Western Conference teams than they do Eastern ones.

 

[Boston Leaf]

He picked up his toys and went home once that is enough for me..(and yes so did Radulov but lets see how he plays out next year)

 

[Kin]

He picked up his toys and went home once that is enough for me..(and yes so did Radulov but lets see how he plays out next year)

But I think the idea is that this would only be seen as a short term thing. He's 34 so you're not signing him as a long term solution regardless.

 

[azzurri63]

Also, how does Kovalchuk-Matthews-Nylander sound?

No thanks my thoughts the NHL shouldn't even allow these guys to come back. Radulov same boat. These guys don;'t like the way things are going they leave their respective teams. I say screw you stay in Russia if it's that much better. Hopefully the lLeafs don't even entertain the thought even with Lou's ties to Ilya. Radulov will soak some team for 5-6 years and I guarantee you he won't last the term.

 

[wnc096]

Also, how does Kovalchuk-Matthews-Nylander sound?

No thanks my thoughts the NHL shouldn't even allow these guys to come back. Radulov same boat. These guys don;'t like the way things are going they leave their respective teams. I say screw you stay in Russia if it's that much better. Hopefully the lLeafs don't even entertain the thought even with Lou's ties to Ilya. Radulov will soak some team for 5-6 years and I guarantee you he won't last the term.

Leafs should cut bait with Komarov then too I guess...

 

[L K]

Also, how does Kovalchuk-Matthews-Nylander sound?

No thanks my thoughts the NHL shouldn't even allow these guys to come back. Radulov same boat. These guys don;'t like the way things are going they leave their respective teams. I say screw you stay in Russia if it's that much better. Hopefully the lLeafs don't even entertain the thought even with Lou's ties to Ilya. Radulov will soak some team for 5-6 years and I guarantee you he won't last the term.

I hope you are still working at the same job you started at.....

 

[herman]

http://www.tsn.ca/video/mckenzie-doubtful-maple-leafs-will-pursue-ilya-kovalchuk~1119963

I'm not sure I'd want a 34 year old 6M+ PP specialist for prospects and picks (we have only 1 impact pick at the moment for this draft). NJD needs defense more than we have defense to give (they already re-signed Loov).

 

[cabber24]

Please go to Las Vegas. They have the money, they need a star. Could help make them a little more competitive. 

My thought as well, Vegas. He could get a big pay day and provide some dazzle for them. One of my least favorite players of all time. Just once past the first round of the playoffs. Always seemed to be a me first type player. Electric player but not a likeable one. Just my opinion, not looking to upset anyone. He was also a Leafs slayer.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

http://www.tsn.ca/video/mckenzie-doubtful-maple-leafs-will-pursue-ilya-kovalchuk~1119963

I'm not sure I'd want a 34 year old 6M+ PP specialist for prospects and picks (we have only 1 impact pick at the moment for this draft). NJD needs defense more than we have defense to give (they already re-signed Loov).

Calling him a PP specialist seems a bit unfair. At the very least I'm sure any team signing/trading for him would be doing their homework and thinking he'd be a more impactful player than that.

I also really don't think that New Jersey is going to get a very impressive return for him with the way this is going to play out. They've given Kovy's agent permission to talk to other teams to work out a contract, and once that happens that team will then talk to New Jersey to acquire his rights. So it's not like New Jersey can create a bidding war between teams here. They're negotiating with 1 team. That's it. I think 1st round picks or top prospects are basically off the table here.

Another thing to keep in mind: since Kovalchuk can't officially be traded/signed until July 1st, it's incredibly unlikely any 2017 draft picks would be involved with this deal.

 

[herman]

Calling him a PP specialist seems a bit unfair. At the very least I'm sure any team signing/trading for him would be doing their homework and thinking he'd be a more impactful player than that.

I also really don't think that New Jersey is going to get a very impressive return for him with the way this is going to play out. They've given Kovy's agent permission to talk to other teams to work out a contract, and once that happens that team will then talk to New Jersey to acquire his rights. So it's not like New Jersey can create a bidding war between teams here. They're negotiating with 1 team. That's it. I think 1st round picks or top prospects are basically off the table here.

Another thing to keep in mind: since Kovalchuk can't officially be traded/signed until July 1st, it's incredibly unlikely any 2017 draft picks would be involved with this deal.

Good point about the draft picks being 2018+.

I say PP specialist mostly based on how he'd fit into our system. I can't see Babcock running him with Matthews/Nylander and certainly not on Kadri's line, so it'd be sheltered offense with Bozak/replacement at best. At his age, and the speed at which the game is being played now, his most potent usage is on the powerplay as a standing turret.

On a team less reliant on speed, I think he could have better impact.