Sportsnet: It’s all but assured Kovalchuk will be back in Montreal come 2020-21.

[Jerryvvv]

Kind of hope he don't. Kov started great but faded his last games here. He did same in LA.

he had something to prove when he came here, he wanted to be traded to a contender at the TDL,

he wasn't playing hard because he cared about the habs...Lol

he was using Montreal just to get ice time, to try to prove his worth

he was playing hard to try to get traded to a contender to win a cup,

that intensity won't be there next season, if he comes back

 

[Mackiaveli]

Win/Win for Montreal.

Kovalchuk is going to be a great mentor to help acclimate Demchenko and Romanov, and just a great mentor overall for the younger guys. I wouldn't at all be surprised if the Habs pursue Dadonov considering his history with Kovy.

Drouin/Domi/Dadonov
Tatar/Danault/Gallagher
Armia/Suzuki/Kovalchuk
Lehkonen/Evans/Byron
Weal

 

[Scintillating10]

he had something to prove when he came here, he wanted to be traded to a contender at the TDL,

he wasn't playing hard because he cared about the habs...Lol

he was using Montreal just to get ice time, to try to prove his worth

he was playing hard to try to get traded to a contender to win a cup,

that intensity won't be there next season, if he comes back

Could be, he faded awful unusual. Talent like that sometimes is hard to understand. He did same in LA though.

 

[Junohockeyfan]

he had something to prove when he came here, he wanted to be traded to a contender at the TDL,

he wasn't playing hard because he cared about the habs...Lol

he was using Montreal just to get ice time, to try to prove his worth

he was playing hard to try to get traded to a contender to win a cup,

that intensity won't be there next season, if he comes back

He also rediscovered his love for the game after playing in front of the most passionate fanbase and the most storied franchise in hockey. Some players need inspiration and Montreal provides that in spades.

players like Kovalchuk need to play in relevant hockey cities. I hope Ovechkin gets that opportunity before he retires!

 

[Jerryvvv]

Some players like Kovalchuk need to play in relevant hockey cities.

Lol...we haven't been relevant in 25 years!

The games he was playing in here were pointless and meaningless, just the same as in LA!!

The only reason kovy ended up here is because it was his ONLY option to play in the NHL! No other team wanted him! He didn't choose Montreal, MB was the only one willing to take him!

 

[ole ole]

Report: Kovalchuk Is 100% Coming To Montreal.

 

[BlueBaron]

Its not sad - its inevitable after years of prior contention. All teams go through this. Habs are in likely in retool mode with an eye on rebuild. Its that confusion that has delayed the Habs rebuild.

When were these contention year you speak of? The 90s was a long time ago.

 

[Jerryvvv]

Report: Kovalchuk Is 100% Coming To Montreal.

It says he will be back in Montreal come 20-21....but will there be any hockey for him to play?

 

[bobholly39]

When were these contention year you speak of? The 90s was a long time ago.

We were holding off on winning any more cups to try and give Leafs a chance to catch up. Oh wait...

 

[txpd]

players like Kovalchuk need to play in relevant hockey cities. I hope Ovechkin gets that opportunity before he retires!

Ovechkin? What is the matter with you?

 

[Sasha Orlov]

he had something to prove when he came here, he wanted to be traded to a contender at the TDL,

he wasn't playing hard because he cared about the habs...Lol

he was using Montreal just to get ice time, to try to prove his worth

he was playing hard to try to get traded to a contender to win a cup,

that intensity won't be there next season, if he comes back

I'm sure this is at least partially true, but I can see a guy like Ilya really thriving in a high energy city with a young, fun team like the Habs. Maybe the guy just feels likes hes 20 years old again here, who knows?

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Report: Kovalchuk Is 100% Coming To Montreal.

I'm so glad that site can take news and reiterate it on their site to get hits.