Report: Kovalchuk To Montreal Or Toronto?

[jl-1]

Report: Kovalchuk to Montreal or Toronto?

Written by Lyle Richardson

Friday, 31 October 2008 20:58

SPORT-EXPRESS DAILY: reports the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs are two teams most interested in acquiring Atlanta Thrashers winger Ilya Kovalchuk. Their respective general managers approached Thrashers GM Don Waddell about the subject during last week's meeting of NHL general managers in Chicago.

SPECTOR'S NOTE: My thanks to everyone who sent this link in. Somebody needs to explain to the Sport Express reporter of this story how the NHL salary cap works, because the Canadiens currently have no space available to acquire Kovalchuk, whose salary is $6.4 million per season both this year and next, and they have no reason at this time to make such a deal. The Maple Leafs could afford it but I don't think they'd be willing to pay the steep asking price.There's also a silly rumor flying around today claiming the Penguins are offering Jordan Staal, Kris Letang and a first round pick for Kovalchuk, which of course overlooks the fact the Penguins are tight against the cap and this trade doesn't fit under said cap.

Quite frankly, I think it's far too early to start suggesting that the Thrashers are thinking of shopping Kovalchuk right now. Unless the talent Russian sniper has requested to be dealt, this rumor holds about as much water as those silly Gaborik and Khabibulin rumors from earlier in the month.

Source...

Since this is now out as a rumour, it might deserve its own thread. As I've mentioned before though, I highly doubt that Atlanta can afford to lose Kovalchuk this season. I would take him here in a heartbeat if he was available though.

[Guest]

Now theres a guy we would be crazy not to be interested in. Obviously we have no Cap room if we trade only prospects and picks. Any fool can see that it would obviously involve a few roster players to make something like this work. I am VERY skeptical that we could get a deal done as i also beleive Atlanta would be nuts to trade this guy away. As for the Leafs,,,,,,what in heaven could they possibly offer, other then their 1st 2nd and 3rd round picks for the next 5 years or more.

[jl-1]

I wonder if there is any truth that Gainey spoke to Waddell specifically about Kovalchuk at the GM meeting and if so, I'd like to be a fly on the wall to see Waddell's reaction. We all know that we came very close to getting Hossa so the building blocks might be in place for such a deal if a deal is at all possible.

[j2c]

I'm thinking Gainey will offer the same deal that he offered last year for Hossa...I personally would love to see Kovalchuk here he is awesome

[DA_Champion]

Atlanta cannot afford to keep Kovalchuk. He does nothing but move them from say 15th place to 11th place, which merely slows down rebuilding. They are better off getting some parts than losing him to free agency or the KHL.

For Kovalchuk,

We'd have to give up a left-winger (since he's LW), which means one of Christopher Higgins, Andrei Kostitsyn or Alex Tanguay.

A first round draft pick I imagine, and maybe another draft pick to boot like a 4th rounder. Say 4th rounder 2009 and 1st rounder 2010. Their second rounder should be almost as good as our first rounders so we can sweeten the deal.

A bit of salary dump, such as Mathieu Dandeneault,

And some prospects, perhaps Ryan O'Bryrne + Matt D'Agostini

Summary:

To Atlanta:

Christopher Higgins

1st rounder 2010

4th rounder 2009

Mathieu Dandeneault

Ryan O'Byrne + Matt D'Agostini

To Montreal

Ilya Kovalchuk

2nd rounder 2009

Unfortunately I did the mental math and that doesn't work, missing about 1-1.5 million in cap space (O'Byrne would be replaced by a $850, 000 defenseman). One option could be to swap Andrei Kostitsyn for Christopher Higgins, and then only a few hundred thousand are missing. We could also add in Francis Bouillon, and maybe request a 6th rounder, and call up another Hamilton defenseman for $850, 000, which starts to become risky.

One thing I would do in this trade, if the Canadiens win the cup, trade Kovalchuk following the finals for draft picks elsewhere :-)

[flames4eva]

I wonder if there is any truth that Gainey spoke to Waddell specifically about Kovalchuk at the GM meeting and if so, I'd like to be a fly on the wall to see Waddell's reaction. We all know that we came very close to getting Hossa so the building blocks might be in place for such a deal if a deal is at all possible.

Well I'll be eh JL... The Kos-Bros & Halak... how about a whole line... S.Kos-Pleks-A.Kos?

Why I'd do it...

What would we need three scoring lines for if we've got a Kovalchuk? This could be the Habs year!!!

Kovalchuk-Lang-Kovalev; Tanguay-Koivu-Latendresse; Higgins-Lapierre-Kostopoulos are a very strong threesome IMO. Say bye-bye to Begin and/or Dandenault and bring on some kids for legs and energy... why did we get Laraque again?

The report is Denis is on the way back to his old form in Hamilton and Cedric Desjardins is waiting in the wings.

[tony1234]

Trading a guy like Kovalchuck would be a GM's suicide !!!

i know the Bruins traded joe Thornton, but keep in mind the team's owner and his right hand man Harry Sinden did not like Joe.

I have not heard anything of the likes coming out of Atlanta.

[roy_133]

Trading a guy like Kovalchuck would be a GM's suicide !!!

i know the Bruins traded joe Thornton, but keep in mind the team's owner and his right hand man Harry Sinden did not like Joe.

I have not heard anything of the likes coming out of Atlanta.

You have to recycle quickly though, like this guy will leave as a UFA, that much seems obvious. If Waddell thought he even had a chance to retain Kovalchuk this wouldn't be an issue, but the fact it's atleast being discussed suggests he knows that he has to move Ilya at some point and maybe right now is the best time, his value is higher because he's not a pending UFA.

[flames4eva]

Trading a guy like Kovalchuck would be a GM's suicide !!!

i know the Bruins traded joe Thornton, but keep in mind the team's owner and his right hand man Harry Sinden did not like Joe.

I have not heard anything of the likes coming out of Atlanta.

A GM's suicide !!!

DA Champoin may be on to something...

"Atlanta cannot afford to keep Kovalchuk. He does nothing but move them from say 15th place to 11th place, which merely slows down rebuilding. They are better off getting some parts than losing him to free agency or the KHL."

Though I don't think the trade suggested would do it and one year remains on his contract after this one. I'm sure most would think I've gone off my rocker with what I've suggested. BG would probably go somewhere in between... like not including Plekanec let's say.

That's for Montreal... but Toronto??? They have a glut of nothing much on "D" ... would they part with Kaberle and Kubina and build around Shenn and Van Ryan?

[Guest]

A GM's suicide !!!

DA Champoin may be on to something...

Though I don't think the trade suggested would do it and one year remains on his contract after this one. I'm sure most would think I've gone off my rocker with what I've suggested. BG would probably go somewhere in between... like not including Plekanec let's say.

That's for Montreal... but Toronto??? They have a glut of nothing much on "D" ... would they part with Kaberle and Kubina and build around Shenn and Van Ryan?

I would do the Kosty brothers for Kovulchuk too ( please dont shoot me people ). Might be stretching it a bit by including Pleks. That would hurt us down the middle. I doubt Atlanta would be interested in Kaberle and Kubina if the reason they're dumping Kovulchuk is because of money. If thats the case, then those two add a lot more (money wise) then what they would be giving up.I dont see anything from the Leafs that would be of interest to Atlanta other then a ton of high picks and maybe Scenn.

[risteenhuis]

Kovalchuk would be a superstar in Montreal. On most top NHL teams or Canadian based teams he would be a superstar.

$6.4 million cap hit, similar to Gaborik cap hit. Toronto has lots of available cap space. Montreal does not have very much available cap space.

Montreal appears to have lots of young talent and prospects to make a deal with Atlanta. Of course it seemed so last year with Hossa and we know how that worked out.

Toronto has some players that are tradeable. Karberle, Kubina, Pogge, Antropov, and maybe a few other players in minors.

Atlanta needs a goalie, defencemen and depth forwards. And to move to a real hockey market like Hamilton/Kitchener.

Montreal could trade Halak to Atlanta but this leaves Montreal very thin at the goalie position therefore a goalie coming back to Montreal would be necessary. I don't think Hedberg is as good as Halak but would cost more.

I actually think the Leafs will trade for Kovalchuk assuming Kovalchuk is even on the market. They have the cap space. They could trade Pogge and Kubina to Atlanta. Atlanta would get a potential #1 goalie in Pogge and a good defenceman in Kubina. The Leafs would get a top winger and enough cap space to sign Sundin or go after Bouwmeester and Gaborik or Hossa in the summer. The Leafs next year with a lottery draft pick, Kovalchuk, and two UFA big name players. Could be a great way to spend some of the Leafs money pot.

I don't understand how or why Montreal could go after Kovalchuk until near the trade deadline.

[flames4eva]

I would do the Kosty brothers for Kovulchuk too ( please dont shoot me people ). Might be stretching it a bit by including Pleks. That would hurt us down the middle. I doubt Atlanta would be interested in Kaberle and Kubina if the reason they're dumping Kovulchuk is because of money. If thats the case, then those two add a lot more (money wise) then what they would be giving up.I dont see anything from the Leafs that would be of interest to Atlanta other then a ton of high picks and maybe Scenn.

Now you're really getting Smiegel mad HTL (inside joke)... The LAFFS-you are correct... this time my BAD!!!

OK keep Pleks then...

The Kos-Bros, Halak + a salary dump (one of Begin, Bouillon or Dandenault) will get it done IMO. And the Habs would still have money left over.

pro-rated 6,389,260 for Kovalchuk = 5.61 million

pro-rated: A.Kos 2.893 + S.Kos .727 + Halak .690 + one of Begin, Bouillon or Dandenault + Habs current cap space of 2 million + = 7.0 million +

Atlanta have a ton of cap space 10 million + right now I believe.

[jl-1]

Now you're really getting Smiegel mad HTL (inside joke)... The LAFFS-you are correct... this time my BAD!!!

OK keep Pleks then...

The Kos-Bros, Halak + a salary dump (one of Begin, Bouillon or Dandenault) will get it done IMO. And the Habs would still have money left over.

pro-rated 6,389,260 for Kovalchuk = 5.61 million

pro-rated: A.Kos 2.893 + S.Kos .727 + Halak .690 + one of Begin, Bouillon or Dandenault + Habs current cap space of 2 million + = 7.0 million +

Atlanta have a ton of cap space 10 million + right now I believe.

Seeing that the same Thrashers traded Hossa and Dupuis for Colby Armstrong, Erik Christensen, Angelo Esposito and a 1st-round pick, I would think that they would be expecting about the same return. Rumours were that they were hot on Higgins, so once again, he'd have to be included in the deal I would think, but I tried making something up with him that would be both fair trade-wise, but fit under the cap and I can't see anything unless we include one of Markov, Hamrlik, Kovalev, Tanguay or Koivu, and I can't see that happening.

First off, the Thrashers don't need a goalie as they have Lehtonen who's a RFA next year, Hedberg as a backup signed for two years, and they have highly talented Pavelec coming up.

So I guess the only way to make it happen cap-wise would be to include Andrei Kostitsyn and if you do that, you pretty much have to include Sergei as I'd be concerned that he'd take off for Russia otherwise. But I wouldn't include much more, maybe with the exception of a Begin and/or Dandenault for cap reason, and a first rounder. But if I'm going to sacrifice that much, I want to be able to negotiate with Kovalchuk first.

[2VP]

Rumours are very entertaining, and so are most of the things being wrote here.

Halak to Atl!!!!

Check who's in Nets for Atl, who the backup is, and who the number one guy is with the Wolves. Ondrej Pavelec could be better than Kari Lehtonen, so stop yacking about Halak.

Next, I hear Sundin is coming to Montreal How's that thread doing?

[fourtrax]

Wow, if Kovalchuk is available this season, here's my trade:

Higgins

Halak

1st rounder 2009

2nd rounder 2009

Kovalev

[tmash]

Wow, if Kovalchuk is available this season, here's my trade:

Higgins

Halak

1st rounder 2009

2nd rounder 2009

Kovalev

and this from a Kovalev fan? But I have to agree, to get a talent like that, I'd be willing to put a nice package together.

[flames4eva]

...Thrashers don't need a goalie as they have Lehtonen who's a RFA next year, Hedberg as a backup signed for two years, and they have highly talented Pavelec coming up.

Rumours are very entertaining, and so are most of the things being wrote here.

Halak to Atl!!!!

Check who's in Nets for Atl, who the backup is, and who the number one guy is with the Wolves. Ondrej Pavelec could be better than Kari Lehtonen, so stop yacking about Halak.

Apparently Lehtonen is injured often (now again-groin) and hasn't been as stellar as expected (was he overated?). Word is that there could be a problem there. Discussed on TSN this past week.

That's why Halak would be considered... no laughing matter. No need to be rude either 2VP.

[fourtrax]

and this from a Kovalev fan? But I have to agree, to get a talent like that, I'd be willing to put a nice package together.

Hey, don't get me wrong, it would break my heart to see Kovalev traded. But a chance to grab an elite sniper like Kovalchuk does not come around very often, and if we're going to trade Kovalev, it may as well be at a time when we're getting most of our production from other sources (Saku's line). My package gives Atlanta a great two-way forward (Higgins), a promising young potential starting goalie (Halak), draft depth (the picks), and a veteran forward with game-breaking ability who can mentor Atlanta's next generation of scorers (Kovalev).

[go_leafs_go11]

Hey, don't get me wrong, it would break my heart to see Kovalev traded. But a chance to grab an elite sniper like Kovalchuk does not come around very often, and if we're going to trade Kovalev, it may as well be at a time when we're getting most of our production from other sources (Saku's line). My package gives Atlanta a great two-way forward (Higgins), a promising young potential starting goalie (Halak), draft depth (the picks), and a veteran forward with game-breaking ability who can mentor Atlanta's next generation of scorers (Kovalev).

The finish we are going to have this season is going to reduce the value of our draft picks. Our first rounder might as well be a second rounder. If I were Atlanta I'd be far more willing to trade him for Toronto's first rounder instead. Also, as mentioned earlier, Atlanta does have Pavelec who is touted to be at least as promising as Halak so their interest in him is probably limited.

I think if we want him, we are going to have to dip into our prospect pool and start trimming salary (with buy outs and salary dumps) now so that we can afford his pro-rated contract.

I can see a deal involving:

One of our major prospects (Mcdonagh, Pacioretty)

A relatively low priced roster player (Higgins, O'Byrne)

A minor prospect (Weber, Maxwell)

And obviously that 1st rounder goes in too.

But Ilya is made for Montreal. He loves scoring goals, and putting the puck in the net 50 times in this city makes you a God. He would thrive here and I'd give Atlanta the keys to the farmhouse for him.

As far as Kovalev, I'd give him too but I think Atlanta is more interested in young pieces that will be a part of their team long term.

[Hoyle00cdn]

I don't think Gainey is making a big trade like this any time soon.

Personally I don't think he's making any trade period until the deadline. These is just my thoughts, but I'm guessing Gainey is simply setting up all his possible trade partners very early on. Havlat/Kovalchuk/Gaborik, we'll probably hear of more names as the season goes on. If Montreal can approach the deadline with 3 or 4 possible trade suitors, we won't have to feel hard pressed to throw in that extra prospect or two to get that missing piece we want.

[l_39_habitant]

Wow, if Kovalchuk is available this season, here's my trade:

Higgins

Halak

1st rounder 2009

2nd rounder 2009

Kovalev

it's the most valuable trade i've seen since long ... but shall we get a goalie for the habs or hamilton ??

i see :

Kovalchuk

Pavelec

for

Kovalev (sorry but here is the damage )

Higgins

Halak

1st rouder (year to been decide)

and high prospect

The explanation off adding Pavelec in the trade it's the guy want out and want to play in the Nhl.

i now see our lines this way :

Andrei Pleckanec Kovalchuk

Latendresse Koivu Tanguay

Sergei Lang Kostopoulos (or pacioretty)

Laraque Lapierre Begin (or dandy)

but I don't think it wise for the chemistry ... hope BG got something for us !!!

[flames4eva]

The Habs need Kovalev even with Kovalchuk... no way I see Kovalev being traded in a cup-run this year.

[RicochetII]

I have no particular fondness or desire for Kovalchuk aside from his abilities. I don't see him as a Canadien. I would be willing to give one lineup forward in a deal to acquire him, but I have a feeling it would require two.

A: Higgins / Chipchura / Dandenault / Begin / Mid Prospect

or

B: Plekanec / Halak / Bouillon / Begin / Mid Prospect

or

C: A. Kostitsyn / S. Kostitsyn / Bouillon and/or Begin / 1st Round Pick

Cap space would be close enough to be manageable I believe, although I haven't run the numbers. It could require us to maintain a 22 player roster for example.

A : AK or Lats move to Lang's line to make room for Kovalchuk. Stewart and/or Chipchura called up.

B : Higgins moves back to center, Lang goes to the first line. AK or Lats move to Higgins' line. Insert Kovalchuk. Chipchura and Denis called up.

C : This gets messy, leaving us with off wing options for third right. Lapierre, Chipchura, Stewart or Kostopoulos.

I can't see us getting rid of Higgins, Plekanec or either Kostitsyn, let alone any two of them. When you look at our roster however, those are the only forwards that would garner enough interest to make a deal. Everyone else is a free agent with more than a few years behind them. Nothing Atlanta would be overly interested in. The Kostitsyns might be appealing to them as young players with a lot of potential and marketability, I just don't like the prospect of losing the brothers in a deal.

[flamesgal1]

My deal would include Higgens one kostysyn and that would be SK...Simply becuase AK is already signed also in the trade would be Higgens or if they prefered one of PACS or LATS. Also a first round draft pick and maybe on of our dee in Weber , SUbban, Yemelin. Obryne or fisher.

As I see it

SK

LATS or PACS

Weber or Suban

Obryne or Yemelin

first round draft pic

OR

SK

HIGGENS

Weber or Suban

Obryne or Yemelin

first round draft pick

Thats the way I see it...I think they would want two young payers who can play now Higgens or Pacs or Lats and SK...Not Andre because he was just signed and I think he would stay and play with the habs anyway because he started here even before his little bro came in. And they would want a deeman or two and also a draft.

We could move some salary in dandy, begin and .,..

I could only imagine being able to keep Kovalev to have him feeding Kovalchuk on the power play...I would move AK up with Koivu and Tangs and have Kovalchuk play with Pleks and Kovalev you left overs would fill the last two lines...

[l_39_habitant]

The Habs need Kovalev even with Kovalchuk... no way I see Kovalev being traded in a cup-run this year.

Actually kovalev would be into it if we really want to have a chance to pick kovalchuk and kovalev is Ufa this summer. I feel sorry for him if the trade happen but he might be the centerpiece of a trade this years if he doesn't play like last year !!!