Kovy
by wg1of5 on Jan 5, 2010 6:50 PM EST
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As we wind to the upcoming faceoff against the Thrashers, I was checking out Puck Daddy's latest post. It talks about potential market value for Ilya Kovalchuk, citing a Pierre LeBrun article in which LeBrun speculates that the Thrashers could move Kovy for Kris Versteeg and Cam Barker from the Hawks. A Daily Herald writer, Tim Sassone, is also quoted as saying that Kovy could demand "possibly two top-nine forwards, a defenseman and maybe a high draft pick or two."
Now, I'm reading the comments, and, of course, there are the commenter trade suggestions. Throwing "Malkin for Kovy" and other such atrocities out the window, one comment intrigued me. It had us sending Max Talbot, Chris Kunitz, and Sergei Gonchar for Kovy. While I, personally, am not at all willing to do this deal (Max freakin' Talbot!), I think something close to this may be reasonable. Of course, that hinges on several variables. Does Kovy figure as a good locker-room addition? Is there any chance at all we sign him long-term? (I'm gonna say no, but perhaps others are more optimistic.) Assuming Kunitz is the centerpiece of the trade, is two and a half years of him worth half a year of Kovalchuk? I've got a poll attached, so please leave some feedback. Also, if we have any Atlanta folks with us tonight, let us know what YOU think is a reasonable (or, for your team, desirable) trade package. Thanks!
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The last.
The Pens could probably squeeze Kovalchuk in for this season if they dealt Kunitz, Dupuis and whatever prospects/picks Atlanta wanted but would that be worth it? No and no.
There’s absolutely no way he signs here after July 1, especially since reports are his agent has been firm about the $10-11 million a year they want. This same agent has been very firm for Khabibulin who left Tampa over similiar $$ issues.
Not worth it. Kovalchuk is one of the best players in the league, and if there wasn’t a salary cap we’d all be on board. But in this world it’s not a possibility.
The Pens won the last Stanley Cup with Guerin, Talbot, Fedotenko and a non-scoring Sykora as top 6 forwards….They’ll figure out how to get better pieces but the best piece isn’t possible.
You come at the king, you best not miss.
also voted against a Kovalchuk trade. Every way I look at it it seems we have to give up too much to take him and he’ll still be too expensive to sign and keep the strong team we have.
I’d much rather have a steady transition by losing a 2 or 3 guys every year and replacing them with youngsters and/or NHL veterans.
You have to see it for yourself...
Well here is why I don’t think that move would work:
The Pens would get Kovi, but there’s no way in hell they can afford him at the end of the season. Plus, dishing Talbot, Kunitz and Gonchar for a rental seems pretty drastic.
Also, Gonchar would be just as much a rental in Atlanta as Kovi would be in Pittsburgh. So I don’t see why they would be involved in the same sort of trade. So then, when you break that down, it’s really just a Kovi for Kunitz/Talbot trade, and really I don’t see that going down. Plus, while ATL might have the cap space, Kunitz’s salary will likely be a bit of an issue in any sort of trade talks. Especially given his recent injury and slow start to the season.
Just my two cents. Thanks for presenting the question.
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So then, when you break that down, it’s really just a Kovi for Kunitz/Talbot trade, and really I don’t see that going down.
This is Waddell we’re talking about, Frank. What’d they get (of worth) for Hossa and Dupuis? ;)
Hindsight, not much. But he did get a first round pick and the most recent Penguins first round pick at the time, Angelo Esposito.
With the 2008 first round they got Daultan Leveille, who’s still logging some time in the OHL. And we all know how Espo turned out for them.
So yeah, you’re right. But perhaps that’s also a bit of a warning sign for Waddell to not take anything less than what he took last time. On the surface it looked like he got something out of it, but now the only remaining player in that trade (outside of Espo’s 1 1/2 legs in the AHL) is Colby Armstrong. Christensen bounced around all over since and more recently landed with the Rangers.
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shockingly Christensen, after being waved by a couple of teams, is playing on the Rangers’ top line with Gaborik… I never get the moves the Rangers make.
You have to see it for yourself...
no one does. He did have a pretty nifty move the other night. Think he beat Price with a one-handed shot through the five hole. Can’t remember who he was playing, but he definitely put a nice move on.
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We don't need him.
Doesn’t make sense financially OR long-term. I don’t see Shero doing another Hossa trade, for arguably a player that is not as good an all-around player as Hossa was at the time (Hossa is now a Lord Stanley Jinx and should be avoided like the plague come May/June).
Agreed
I’m also a bit touchy when it comes to the “Kovy” nickname… it belongs to Alex!
You have to see it for yourself...
I don’t think the Pens will do this. Gonchar wants to retire with the Pens. Given his injury proneness this year and last, I think the Pens have a good enough relationship with their players, especially vets like Sarge, where they would try to honor that wish of his, especially if, in my opinion, Sarge will only play one or two more solid years.
As for the locker room, you can’t beat that. I agree with Hooks.
The Pens won the last Stanley Cup with Guerin, Talbot, Fedotenko and a non-scoring Sykora as top 6 forwards….They’ll figure out how to get better pieces but the best piece isn’t possible.
It’s not that it’s not possible, it’s just unnecessary. You don’t need the super stars to win anything, you need the chemistry and trust and respect. Bringing in Kovy wouldn’t help anyone, rather I think it would be viewed just like Hossa. We bring in this guy, but why get comfortable with him when he most likely will just jump ship at the end for more money, just like what happened with Hossa.
Getting the stars never bodes well. Remember the Lakers when they stacked their team and then lost to the Pistons?
No way
Giving up Gonchar’s silly… Our powerplay unit’s not exactly shiny even with him in the line-up, how’s moving our best puck moving defenseman gonna fix that? That and we are barely 7 deep in defense as it is
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