Confirmed with Link: Ilya Kovalchuk to Capitals for 2020 3rd round pick

[Raikkonen]

Panik-Dowd-Hathaway should be a potent 4th line. Certainly above average. They all are fast, big and physical.

 

[txpd]

All this Mike Green talk must be giving Mr Gone the hives.

 

[IafrateOvie34]

Thinking more about this, what Ted (Ovi) has built.... there was a time when UFA's gave us the middle finger, and TDL acquisitions left town on the first thing smoking when the season was up.

Now superstars (granted, old fart superstars) actually select us from the list and other GMs accommodate them out of respect for their wishes.

Things sure are different since Ovi came to town.

It's glorious! I remember getting excited over signing a washed up Housley!

 

[Ridley Simon]

Why? You think he hurts the pp?

No. Probably not.

I do think that perhaps on his 2nd minute another more fresh talent (say Kovalchuk) could spell him and then Ovi could be fresher for his next shift sooner.

 

[shtorm2005]

It's not that bad idea to use Kovy at Ovy's spot for pp2, because I don't remember when Ovy scored on pp2 last time... It certainly won't hurt to try.

 

[IafrateOvie34]

Deep down inside I'm secretly hoping Kovy becomes what Mogilny did for the Devils two decades ago!

 

[Dr John Carlson]

I actually remember a lot more pining for Carlson to take over from Green on PP1, rather than for Green to retain his spot, because Carlson was a threat to shoot from the point while Green virtually never shot (and had a weaker shot regardless).

 

[IafrateOvie34]

All this Mike Green talk must be giving Mr Gone the hives.

I was sweating it and now I'm relieved.

 

[Ridley Simon]

Yeah, I'm warming up more to the fit. Even if Hagelin/Panik-Eller-Kovy is whatever, there's enough defense there to stay afloat... and then the Caps get some insurance for top-6 injuries/troubles, and one of Hagelin/Panik to hopefully inject more juice into the 4th line. Modest win-win, with potential for more serious win.

welcome to the dark side

 

[Ridley Simon]

I'm sure Kovy said these things and I bet he meant them sincerely. But its also true that every athlete in history has probably said these exact things when asked. I mean, Albert Haynesworth said these exact things about signing with the Redskins, then proceeded to stop playing when he was asked to do something he didn't like doing.

Anyway, not being negative, I like the Kovy trade and I do think he will give us all he has left in the tank, which is all we can ask. He's clearly a 10x more dynamic finisher than Panik and offers no visible deficiencies vs the limited game Panik was bringing to the 3rd line. And bumping Leper out of the lineup is a net win for the 4th line I think.

We are using Fat Albert to make a point about Kovalchuk,,,?!?.....and you are “not being negative”?

Lol..... that gets a @CapitalsCupReality “huge eye roll”

I mean for sure....Haynesworth is often used as a “somewhat medium” experience in DC sports talk. Perhaps even with optimism?

 

[Ridley Simon]

All this Mike Green talk must be giving Mr Gone the hives.

He and Maaco are off hugging each other somewhere, and cursing us and this board

 

[artilector]

Deep down inside I'm secretly hoping Kovy becomes what Mogilny did for the Devils two decades ago!

The Mogilny-Kovy parallel is pretty damn good. The Devils-Caps parallel is much tougher in terms of team identity/needs.

 

[Ridley Simon]

The Mogilny-Kovy parallel is pretty damn good. The Devils-Caps parallel is much tougher in terms of team identity/needs.

I’m thinking Bellows in 98 or Federov in late 00’s

 

[HTFN]

How exactly would they tweak it?

Less of the bumper, more of a two trigger look with Kovalchuk low circle and Ovechkin just off the umbrella point? If Carlson has to walk the line rather than the boards Ovechkin rotates to his island and Kovalchuk through the slot to the far post, give them a mix of setting up in the 1-3-1 with Kovalchuk in the bumper and a more old school look where the entire left side of the ice is just a nightmare to defend, give Backstrom and Carlson two huge passing lanes at a time. Force PK’s to play a high box and rotate into the 1-3-1 when the space is there.

just spitballing, but I don’t think it has to be as binary as replacing a cog with Kovalchuk.

 

[Maitz]

He started good here in Montreal but cooled down in the last 10 games. He is still a useful player and still has a pretty good scoring instinct. I loved him here and just wish him the best in WAS, will root for you in the playoffs guys!

 

[kicksavedave]

We are using Fat Albert to make a point about Kovalchuk,,,?!?.....and you are “not being negative”?

Lol..... that gets a @CapitalsCupReality “huge eye roll”

I mean for sure....Haynesworth is often used as a “somewhat medium” experience in DC sports talk. Perhaps even with optimism?

Heh, all I'm saying is, it would be pretty unusual for a player to tweet "They better not put me on the f***ing fourth line, and god damnit I better get some prime PP1 shifts, or I'm gonna be pissed" right after he gets traded

 

[Portable Mink]

I’d be pretty interested to see what Kovalchuk thinks about the PP to be honest. The guy has been an offensive star for 20 years, I reckon he’d know a think or two.

When you get a guy like this, you are getting a lot more than just his on ice play. All his coaches, his own instincts and experience, everything he’s seen and done comes to your team and it could be a comment here or there to a player, a thought about the PP or anything.

Orpik changed this team more off the ice than on it. Kovalchuk can change things for the better like that also. The fact Max Domi called him ‘big brother’ is just a tiny indication that he does bring that aspect.

 

[Khomutov]

Will he play against Winnipeg?

 

[Calicaps]

Will he play against Winnipeg?

Supposed to per Caps radio this afternoon.

 

[LesDiablesRouges]

Ilya f***ing Kovalchuk is on the f***ing Caps! It’s still surreal to me. I can’t believe it and can’t wait for tomorrow night. Seeing him in a Caps jersey - teamed up with Ovi - has been a dream of mine for over a decade. Can’t wait to see it.

 

[AussieCapsFan]

Ilya f*cking Kovalchuk is on the f*cking Caps! It’s still surreal to me. I can’t believe it and can’t wait for tomorrow night. Seeing him in a Caps jersey - teamed up with Ovi - has been a dream of mine for over a decade. Can’t wait to see it.

Yeah I'm pretty excited about it as well. I like both the additions to our team. Going to be really interesting how Dillon progresses and how Kovy plays.

 

[Acallabeth]

i don’t ever remember it getting to Green was irreplaceable lol.....

I remember some poster here being adamant that the Caps should had kept Brooks Laich because of his "character" and "league wide elite PK ability" lol.

 

[txpd]

Less of the bumper, more of a two trigger look with Kovalchuk low circle and Ovechkin just off the umbrella point? If Carlson has to walk the line rather than the boards Ovechkin rotates to his island and Kovalchuk through the slot to the far post, give them a mix of setting up in the 1-3-1 with Kovalchuk in the bumper and a more old school look where the entire left side of the ice is just a nightmare to defend, give Backstrom and Carlson two huge passing lanes at a time. Force PK’s to play a high box and rotate into the 1-3-1 when the space is there.

just spitballing, but I don’t think it has to be as binary as replacing a cog with Kovalchuk.

Questions. Kovalchuk on the left wing at the bottom of the circle with Ovechkin high in the zone? You would replace Oshie with Kovalchuk? Do I understand you right?

 

[sk8ersublime]

I remember some poster here being adamant that the Caps should had kept Brooks Laich because of his "character" and "league wide elite PK ability" lol.

Changing a fans tire did that. Everyone loves a "heartfelt" story. haha

They should have let him go when he ripped his groin overseas during the shortened season.

 

[AlexBrovechkin8]

I remember some poster here being adamant that the Caps should had kept Brooks Laich because of his "character" and "league wide elite PK ability" lol.

I'm old enough to remember George saying that Brooks Laich could be our Mike Richards, Mike Fisher, or David Backes... and this was after his groin was shredded. For shame, George.