Kovalchuk and Ovechkin Together?
If you listened to the Team 1040 AM stream like I did, you would know new rumors around Ilya Kovalchuk continue to spread like wildfire.
The newest and latest rumors discussed are the Washington Capitals as front runners in the Kovalchuk sweepstakes. Interestingly enough, David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period says as much as Kovalchuk loves Atlanta, there are bigger issues there in hindsight.
Going back to the 1040 AM discussion, Washington as an organization boasts numerous movable assets. Since the permanent Michael Nylander demotion, a fair amount of open cap space opened up for the club so perhaps they have both the room and assets necessary to acquire the services of Kovalchuk.
Naturally the centerpeice would have to be either Alexander Semin or Nicklas Backstrom along with another player like Eric Fehr. Kovalchuk should claim a bounty larger than that of former teammate Marian Hossa, so there would need to be work on both sides.
According to the CBA, there is no out clause for a team that might possibly re-locate. So although Ilya loves Atlanta, he may not love Winnipeg or Hamilton. If the 27-year-old signs for 10 years or more, and the team did relocate, the Russian would be bound to his contract playing in an unknown location.
This thought could be one of the biggest issues surrounding the “snag” in the contract talks.
The other issue lies with team’s the owners, and if they are seriously willing to spend over 100 million on their franchise player. Kovalchuk represents the Thrashers as their captain and go-to player. This team assembled by GM Don Waddell features a fine supporting cast built specifically to play around Kovalchuk while building a solid and exciting foundation of youth.
The pieces are in place to get a deal done, but the unavoidable situations from the brass make Kovalchuk the most enticing name to possibly hit the market this summer.
How scary would it be for Kovalchuk and Alexander Ovechkin to play on the same team or even the same line? I for one would not want to be a team in the South East Division or in the Eastern Conference for that matter. The powerplay alone with Backstrom, Ovechkin, Mike Knuble, Kovalchuk and Mike Green would be insanity.
Still this deal is merely a rumor and should be regarded as nothing more. A deal of this nature surely would be the blockbuster of the decade!
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Anthony Curatolo
NHLHS Contributor
achockeyguys@gmail.com
Kovalchuk rumors begin to Fly (again)
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As this reporter does on a daily basis, the Team 1040 AM stream via the Internet has brought forth a new thought to the Ilya Kovalchuk rumors that are starting to run rapid throughout the NHL. The newest and latest has them discussing that the Washington Capitals are the front runners in the Kovalchuk sweepstakes. Interesting enough, David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period says that as much as Kovalchuk loves Atlanta, there are bigger issues there in hindsight. Let’s start with what 1040 AM has discussed. As they stated, the assets are there for Washington to move. Aside from the Nylander demotion, permanently, to the AHL giving a fair amount of open cap space for the club, the team has enough names to ship out to Atlanta in order to acquire the services of Ilya Kovalchuk. Alexander Semin or Niklas Backstrom along with Eric Fehr would be the main pieces to a package that GM George McPhee could put together to pry the sniper out of the Thrashers organization. Of course, other pieces would be needed, but this could turn into one of the biggest blockbusters of the season. In the CBA, there is no out clause for a team that might possibly re-locate. Yes, Ilya loves Atlanta. However, if he signs on for 10 years or more, and the team was to be relocated, there is no breach in the clause – there is no option to opt out of it due to these circumstances. This could be one of the biggest issues surrounding the “snag” in the contract talks. The other issue is if the owners seriously want to spend that much money on their franchise player. I know that I would not have an problem giving the money wanted by one of the best goal scorers in the entire league. He is the Captain, the goto guy and the franchise. GM Don Waddell has brought in a fine supporting cast to play around Kovalchuk and the team’s youth at every position makes for a scary future from Atlanta. The pieces are in place to get a deal done, but the unavoidable situations from the brass and the threats of relocation make Kovlachuk one of the most enticing names that could possibly hit the market in either March or July of 2010. How scary would it be for Ilya Kovalchuk and Alexander Ovechkin to play on the same team, and possible, the same line? I for one would not want to be a South East Division team, or an Eastern Conference team for that matter. The Power Play alone would be pure insanity. Backstrom, Ovechkin, Knuble, Kovalchuk, Green. Need I say more? “Backstrom to Ovechkin, over to Kovalchuk who one times a shot and SCORES!” That would be a phrase that would sound like a broken record from the mouths of announcers league wide.
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No chance they would trade backstrom for him. Backstrom is 19 and might be a better player than kovy
Semin for Kovy would be fine by me. Kovy and Ovie are good friends and have played together in Russia for years before coming to the NHL. Semin refuses to learn english and takes nights off some games. He often plays with immaturity and commits stupid penalties at the worst possible times. Semin has all of the potential in the world, but how long do you wait for that "potential" to be realized?
Trading Backstrom is not an option. Backstrom is already one of the best players in the game and still has tremendous upside.
If Kovy is to come here it would have to be for Semin and a prospect from Hershey. I would not package Fehr with Semin. Fehr is another young player with size and speed that can score.
A power play with Ovechkin, Kovalchuk, Backstorm, Green, and Knuble would be unfair to the rest of the league! As a Caps fan, I would like to see it!
[...] mouth water. Washington Capitals – By now, if you came to NHLHS you read our piece on Kovalchuk and Ovechkin together. Anthony suggested either Alexander Semin or Nicklas Backstrom, but based on Boston’s [...]
Backstrom for Kovalchuk would be a downgrade and would pretty much kill any cup hopes.