Report: Kovalchuk To Montreal Or Toronto?

[risteenhuis]

I don't think Montreal will land Kovalchuk if BG is even trying after last year dealings with Atlanta. However this is my trade suggestion.

Higgins (RFA, $1.7 million)

Kovalev (UFA, $4.5 million)

O'Byrne ($942k)

Dandenault (UFA, $1.725 million)

2nd round pick 2010

Atlanta takes on $8.867 million

Kovalchuk ($6.4 million, 1 more year remaining on contract)

Montreal brings up Chips ($943k) to replace Dandenault, Weber ($850k) to replace O'Byrne, and Patches ($850k) to replace Higgins. Total $2.643 for rookies.

Montreal -8.867 + 6.4 + 2.643 = 176k salary cap increase for Montreal

Atlanta gets 4 roster players. One is RFA and one has two more years remaining at which point OB will still be RFA. Kovalev is a very exciting player so the fans in Altanta should be happy this year. Dandenault can play forward or defence. Atlanta does not get Halak. Montreal needs Halak to backup Price and more importantly cover for Price if he is ever injuried or ill.

Montreal lines after the trade.

Goalies: Price and Halak

Patches - Koivu - Tanguay (rookie shooter with two great passers)

Kovalchuk - Pleks - A.Kostitsyn (the fastest line in the NHL with a 50 goal sniper on the wing)

Chips - Lang - S.Kostitsyn (checking line with some offensive numbers, Chips would play center part of the time)

Latendresse - Lapierre - Kostopolous (energy line)

Markov - Komi (#1 D pairing)

Hammer - Weber (rookie with veteran, PP specialist Weber)

Gorges - Bouillon (two very solid D that will in some games get a lot of ice time as they are very good on PK)

spares: Brisebois, Laraque, Begin

The above trade could be modified to include Bouillon instead of Dandenault. Altanta does not get their hands on Halak. Montreal needs Halak at the very least until the trade deadline next season as there is no goalie (IMO) ready to backup Price. Maybe a 1st round pick instead of 2nd round pick if Atlanta gave a 2nd round pick back in return.

Montreal would still have D'Agostini, White, Belle, Maxwell, Stewart, Carle, and Danis that could in an emergency play in Montreal.

[jl-1]

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

Higgins

Halak

1st rounder 2009

2nd rounder 2009

Kovalev

As surprising as it may seem for some that I'd trade Kovalev, I would make that trade in a heartbeat ... but I still question their need for Halak, unless they're planning on trading Lehtonen or Hedberg. Interesting enough for Kovalev's fans, it may make them feel better to know that Kovalchuk's nickname is also... Kovy!

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 !!!

You might be on to something here.

A lot of the trades posted after that certainly don't explain how we clear cap space for Kovalchuk. You can't just unload prospects/picks as you need to clear about $5.5 million in cap space just to make room for Kovalchuk.

[animerules1x3]

I don't think Montreal will land Kovalchuk if BG is even trying after last year dealings with Atlanta. However this is my trade suggestion.

Higgins (RFA, $1.7 million)

Kovalev (UFA, $4.5 million)

O'Byrne ($942k)

Dandenault (UFA, $1.725 million)

2nd round pick 2010

Atlanta takes on $8.867 million

Kovalchuk ($6.4 million, 1 more year remaining on contract)

Montreal brings up Chips ($943k) to replace Dandenault, Weber ($850k) to replace O'Byrne, and Patches ($850k) to replace Higgins. Total $2.643 for rookies.

Montreal -8.867 + 6.4 + 2.643 = 176k salary cap increase for Montreal

Atlanta gets 4 roster players. One is RFA and one has two more years remaining at which point OB will still be RFA. Kovalev is a very exciting player so the fans in Altanta should be happy this year. Dandenault can play forward or defence. Atlanta does not get Halak. Montreal needs Halak to backup Price and more importantly cover for Price if he is ever injuried or ill.

Montreal lines after the trade.

Goalies: Price and Halak

Patches - Koivu - Tanguay (rookie shooter with two great passers)

Kovalchuk - Pleks - A.Kostitsyn (the fastest line in the NHL with a 50 goal sniper on the wing)

Chips - Lang - S.Kostitsyn (checking line with some offensive numbers, Chips would play center part of the time)

Latendresse - Lapierre - Kostopolous (energy line)

Markov - Komi (#1 D pairing)

Hammer - Weber (rookie with veteran, PP specialist Weber)

Gorges - Bouillon (two very solid D that will in some games get a lot of ice time as they are very good on PK)

spares: Brisebois, Laraque, Begin

The above trade could be modified to include Bouillon instead of Dandenault. Altanta does not get their hands on Halak. Montreal needs Halak at the very least until the trade deadline next season as there is no goalie (IMO) ready to backup Price. Maybe a 1st round pick instead of 2nd round pick if Atlanta gave a 2nd round pick back in return.

Montreal would still have D'Agostini, White, Belle, Maxwell, Stewart, Carle, and Danis that could in an emergency play in Montreal.

Latendresse performs better at NHL level than Pacioretty as AHL level so far this year. It would be more likely that Pacioretty would stay in Hamilton with a guy like Stewart or D'Agostini being called up instead to fill a body on the fourth line.

But Kovalev is uninteresting from a Thrasher point of view, since he'll be UFA, he's becoming older, and he's a prima donna would would very unlikely re-sign in such dead hockey market.

What would be most realistic is :

Sergei K.

Andrei K.

1st rounder 2009

Subban

Dandenault (salary dump)

for

Kovalchuk

2nd rounder or so

Then the Habs recall D'Agostini who is on fire in Hamilton to play third line with Lang and Higgins, while Kovalchuk ice up with Kovalev and Plekanec, and the first line stays what it is.

But even then, this is not happening.

[flames4eva]

Kovalev??? One of the problems as I see it is that Kovalev is UFA next year and he would like to stay in Montreal. I'm not aware of whether or not he has a NTC (or movement clause of some sort) and if that is the case would he be willing to waive it.

Personally I think including Kovalev in trades by some is only because of the dollar figure attached to him... and not thought out in terms of what he is to the Habs this year with a player like Kovalchuk.

I highlighted ways above that the dollars required could be found without having to move Kovalev. Losing him at this stage of the game would not be of benefit to the Habs IMO.

Though Higgins was apparently coveted by the Thrashers before, I tend to think that was with keeping Kovalchuk. Higgins is not the most marketable player IMO. Whereas a tandem of the Kos-Bros is more marketable.

Talk of Lehtonen ignores what has been said about him being prone to injury and not as good as once thought at least as Atlanta's No. 1 (could he be moved to a team seeking goaltending_Ottawa_Philly?). Though Pavelec is highly touted he is still in the minors. Perhaps Atlanta can forsee a young tandem with him and Halak next year.

Hedberg couldn't cut it elsewhere even if he is a decent back-up so he will not be there No. 1 in any case.

[BarbraT]

I don't want him...

I've always hated the guy and I don't think he deserves to wear a habs uniform.

[jl-1]

Kovalev??? One of the problems as I see it is that Kovalev is UFA next year and he would like to stay in Montreal. I'm not aware of whether or not he has a NTC (or movement clause of some sort) and if that is the case would he be willing to waive it.

Kovalev can't be traded to any Western Conference team prior to January 31st without his consent, but can be traded to an Eastern Conference team. I've checked many times...

Source...

I don't want him...

I've always hated the guy and I don't think he deserves to wear a habs uniform.

Based on what exactly?

[Never213]

I just realized that Atlanta fans dub Kovalchuck as "Kovy".

So, clearly, there's no room for him here, as we already have a "Kovy".

But seriously, place yourselves in their position. Would you trade Kovalchuck away for Higgins + picks + O'Byrne or whoever? They're talking about Both Kostitsyns AND Komisarek.

Yeah, to be honest I don't think our team needs any improving at the expense of chemistry.

[captainjack22]

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

Higgins

Halak

1st rounder 2009

2nd rounder 2009

Kovalev

wow thats alot, or maybe we could just keep the three very important players on our team instead. Kovalchuk would be sweet but not worth all that, Halak a great backup or good #1, higgins, a potential 30 goal, two way player and Kovy, possibly the most offensivley gifted player in the league and perhaps the most important part of our PP.

I say go with what we got for now, then maybe around x-mas/Jan. see if we need some fine tuning.

I think we will need another vet top 4 d-man eventually, Brezzer definatley dont got what it takes to play top 4 and PP.

[jl-1]

I just realized that Atlanta fans dub Kovalchuck as "Kovy".

So, clearly, there's no room for him here, as we already have a "Kovy".

Don't give ME the choice between the two...

[fourtrax]

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.

Good point about the value of our draft picks. So maybe you swap out a draft pick for a good prospect like Subban or Weber. While I agree that Toronto's picks have more value, Toronto doesn't have the rest of the trade pieces to make a deal for Kovalchuk interesting (Kovy for, uh, Ponikarovsky and Stajan? ). As for Pavelec, he's completely unproven, whereas Halak helps him in the here and now, but I take your point.

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.

Thing is, we need Kovalev's salary off the books if we're going to have cap space for Kovalchuk. Atlanta may not be targeting Kovalev but the fact is any trade partner that seriously wants Kovalchuk is a Cup contender with not very much cap space to play with; therefore, any trade is going to force Waddell to accept some cap hit coming his way. And Kovalev has proven he can be a very effective mentor for young scorers like Andrei Kostitsyn and Tomas Plekanec. He can be an effective bridge for the Thrashers until their next generation of scorers starts to come into the NHL.

wow thats alot, or maybe we could just keep the three very important players on our team instead. Kovalchuk would be sweet but not worth all that, Halak a great backup or good #1, higgins, a potential 30 goal, two way player and Kovy, possibly the most offensivley gifted player in the league and perhaps the most important part of our PP.

Halak is a great backup, but you have to get to give, and with the way Price is playing, I'll take a marquee sniper over a great backup. Higgins is a good two-way forward, but his potential remains to be fulfilled. Kovalev is a great player but is entering the twilight of his career; Kovalchuk is not even in his prime yet.

We have a logjam at winger and this trade would clear some of that while giving us a bonafide first-line sniper, a guy with loads of talent whose sole purpose on the ice is to make the red light go on. Higgins and Halak are good players but not IMO crucial components of this team.

[jl-1]

November 1, 2008 | 2:18am ET

Thrashers receiving interest in Kovalchuk

TheFourthPeriod.com

As if things couldn't get any worse for Atlanta Thrashers fans, trade winds are beginning to swirl around superstar Ilya Kovalchuk.

According to Russian newspaper Sport-Express, Kovalchuk would welcome a change of scenery.

The 25-year-old star has two-years remaining on his current contract and can become an unrestricted free agent after the 2009-10 season. The Thrashers cannot start negotiation an extension with Kovalchuk until July 1, 2009.

"The start of the season could have been better," Kovalchuk told the paper. "Though it is better than in the previous year. Our prospects are not that bad that many people think."

Kovalchuk acknowledged his disappointment with the lack of in-game fan support, but fell short of saying he's unhappy playing in Atlanta. He did, however, point out an area the team needs to improve upon.

"Atlanta lacks stability to win often," he said. "One game we play well, another only start well. We must play on the same high level for all 60 minutes."

Sport-Express reports the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs held talks with Thrashers GM Don Waddell about Kovalchuk during last week's GM meetings in Chicago.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have also reportedly expressed an interest in Kovalchuk.

Source...

For the record and for what it's worth, I don't doubt that Waddell is getting inquiries about Kovalchuk, but I don't see him trading his star player until closer to the deadline next season if the contract talks stall at that time.

[2VP]

Yikes, it's more than a rumour now.

Thx JL, what do you do, read every NHL team's newspaper every morning?

[DA_Champion]

Opportunity Cost:

The Habs can afford only one big trade this season (spare picks, cap space, spare parts). If we get Kovalchuk we not only lose the players (most deals look reasonable) but we lose the opportunity to perform another trade. We should all keep in mind when we look at the deals like the one written by WeepingMinotaur, that something similar could be accomplished to get Jay Bouwmester (actually, would cost a little less).

[Guest]

I just realized that Atlanta fans dub Kovalchuck as "Kovy".

So, clearly, there's no room for him here, as we already have a "Kovy".

Could call him Chucky.

Again i find it difficult to fanthom that Atlanta would actually try to trade Kovalchuk away.The only possible reason would be because they dont have the money in Atlanta. If indeed that is the reason, then i certainly couldnt see them taking on an equal amount of salary ( or more,, as some trade proposals indicate above) in return. That would lead one to conclude that the only thing Atlanta would consider, is some cheaper players with big upside or,,,,prospects and a ton of picks or,,,a combination of both.

[jl-1]

Yikes, it's more than a rumour now.

Thx JL, what do you do, read every NHL team's newspaper every morning?

I like to stay... informed.

[Bourne]

Would it be at all possible to swing a deal involving more prospects and/draft picks and Lang as the major salary dump in place of Kovalev? Not to say I would not want Kovalchuk even if Kovalev was involved in the deal however it would be nice to allow him to stick around for our cup run. Nonetheless business is business and unless we want to trade Tanguay (not a wise decision) this may have to be done.

[jl-1]

Would it be at all possible to swing a deal involving more prospects and/draft picks and Lang as the major salary dump in place of Kovalev? Not to say I would not want Kovalchuk even if Kovalev was involved in the deal however it would be nice to allow him to stick around for our cup run. Nonetheless business is business and unless we want to trade Tanguay (not a wise decision) this may have to be done.

If we traded Lang, we'd get back to the same problem at center that we had before trading for him. The only way Lang is traded this year will be if we miraculously sign Sundin or if we trade for another center.

[ChitownHabby]

Kovalchuk will not be traded to the habs this season. In 2 years we might have the priviledge of having him reject us but he will not get traded here for half our roster.

He is a great regular season player, like half the league, unknown in the playoffs and ask yourself deep down, would you rather bet the farm on Kovalchuk carrying us or take your chances with a solid roster?

To get him we'd either lose both K bros or Higgins + Kovalev. Gainey wont make that trade. Or any. Kovalchuk will not be a hab. Neither will Lecavalier, Crosby, Malkin, Ovechkin or Iginla.

[jl-1]

Kovalchuk will not be traded to the habs this season. In 2 years we might have the priviledge of having him reject us but he will not get traded here for half our roster.

That drew a chuckle out of me. Good one.

[captainjack22]

Good point about the value of our draft picks. So maybe you swap out a draft pick for a good prospect like Subban or Weber. While I agree that Toronto's picks have more value, Toronto doesn't have the rest of the trade pieces to make a deal for Kovalchuk interesting (Kovy for, uh, Ponikarovsky and Stajan? ). As for Pavelec, he's completely unproven, whereas Halak helps him in the here and now, but I take your point.

Thing is, we need Kovalev's salary off the books if we're going to have cap space for Kovalchuk. Atlanta may not be targeting Kovalev but the fact is any trade partner that seriously wants Kovalchuk is a Cup contender with not very much cap space to play with; therefore, any trade is going to force Waddell to accept some cap hit coming his way. And Kovalev has proven he can be a very effective mentor for young scorers like Andrei Kostitsyn and Tomas Plekanec. He can be an effective bridge for the Thrashers until their next generation of scorers starts to come into the NHL.

Halak is a great backup, but you have to get to give, and with the way Price is playing, I'll take a marquee sniper over a great backup. Higgins is a good two-way forward, but his potential remains to be fulfilled. Kovalev is a great player but is entering the twilight of his career; Kovalchuk is not even in his prime yet.

We have a logjam at winger and this trade would clear some of that while giving us a bonafide first-line sniper, a guy with loads of talent whose sole purpose on the ice is to make the red light go on. Higgins and Halak are good players but not IMO crucial components of this team.

I wouldnt say we have a log jam at wingers, when Higgins missed a few games at the beginning and was replaced by Nonstopolous, then A Kostitsyn went down, next thing you now Its Lang with Nonstopolous and Begin, Lang wasnt brought here to play that role. If something major happens to 2 of our top six wingers then we arent exactly the same, intimidating, high scoring team. I love Nonstopolous and Begin but they belong on a Bang N Crash line not a scoring line. Kovalchuk would be a nice fit, very nice, but forward positions isnt our problem here, not that we have any just yet, except for being outshot almost everygame, I think we will, actually we will need another bonifide vet top 4 or even 5-6 d-man who can help out on the PP. Its hard to say who can fit that role right now, but I wish Marc Andre Bergeron from the wild was available, hed fit in nice and probably pretty cheap too

[sssfffs]

I'd prefer an all around star than a goal scoring star. Zetterberg is the way to go!

[fourtrax]

I'd prefer an all around star than a goal scoring star. Zetterberg is the way to go!

Jesus. No offense to you, youps, but this kind of outlook drives me crazy. We are not a position to be this choosy about the stars we acquire. If the past few years have taught us anything, it's that we are far from being the most desirable destination for the marquee players. How much success have we had with big-name players in the past few years? From Briere to Sundin to Hossa to Shanahan to Smyth to Rafalski, we are batting .000 when it comes to making the big-splash trade or signing. Yet somehow we're turning our noses up at Ilya frickin Kovalchuk, a former Rocket Richard winner, a 25-year-old sniper who is only just hitting his prime? :blink:

I know that our primary need is on defense. But when an elite talent like Kovalchuk becomes available, you go for it. Hard. It appears that fans have already forgotten our playoff exit against Philadelphia when, despite our poor goaltending, we could have won if just one of our scorers had been capable of hitting water falling out of a boat. Subtract whatever trade package you have in mind, add Kovalchuk, and we win that series. If you're going to tell me that he isn't proven in the playoffs, the same can be said of all our young forwards who went M.I.A. when it mattered most. Kovalchuk has had one playoff series with a crappy, underpowered Atlanta team that has only gotten worse since then. You put him on a deep, talented team like ours and he will be a monster here in no time.

Kovalchuk is more likely to hit the trade market than Zetterberg, whom Holland will lock up well before he even gets a sniff of the free-agent market. Wishing for Zetterberg is like wishing for Lecavalier or Crosby, it's pure fantasy. Kovalchuk, though, is someone who could potentially be in play, due to the terrible state of the Atlanta franchise. Will we get him? I don't know. Probably not, if our track record is any indication. But to reject Kovalchuk out of hand because he's not Zetterberg is just astonishing to me. This isn't the '70s and we're not the team everyone wants to play for.

[cbarker78]

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

Higgins

Halak

1st rounder 2009

2nd rounder 2009

Kovalev

It may not be possible but would be nice to somehow keep Kovalev for Kovalchuks arrival.

Higgins,Halak,picks,prospects and salary dumps(take your picks Begin,Dandenault,Bouillon)

for Kovalchuk.

Or a 3 way deal with the Wild.

TO Wild: Higgins

Bouillon

Atl/Mtl pick

To Thrashers:Gaborik

Ficsher

Halak

To Habs:Kovalchuk

2nd rd pick

I don't know if this makes sense but Gaborik and some combination of picks prospects would forsure land Kovalchuk.

[flamesgal1]

It may not be possible but would be nice to somehow keep Kovalev for Kovalchuks arrival.

Higgins,Halak,picks,prospects and salary dumps(take your picks Begin,Dandenault,Bouillon)

for Kovalchuk.

Or a 3 way deal with the Wild.

TO Wild: Higgins

Bouillon

Atl/Mtl pick

To Thrashers:Gaborik

Ficsher

Halak

To Habs:Kovalchuk

2nd rd pick

I don't know if this makes sense but Gaborik and some combination of picks prospects would forsure land Kovalchuk.

Why wouldn't minni just take Kovalchuck, he is the best player in the deal and is signed for two more years.

Minni has a team that can challenge now for the cup also.

[flamesgal1]

We have more then enough depth to get a kid like Kovalchuk and we would still be quite deep with some young players..

Some of those young players may have to step in and play now instead of a year or two...but on most other teams they would likely be playing anyway at the NHL level.

You would have two extremely talented top lines -- my wish would be to keep Kovalev and try to move a guy like Lang, Dandy, Begin, to free some room...Maybe include Lang the other way...with the Kids we would be sending.