Player Discussion Ilya Kovalchuk: 'Building Through the Draft' Edition

[sandviper]

Kovalchuk play was just a lazy play not a mental or system error. He stop skating and that’s was one of the reason why no team wanted him 2 months ago

I admit to be underwhelmed with getting Kovy but was pleasantly surprised with him. That said, he’s cooled off (like most of the team) so moving him ASAP would be a good idea given the season is lost. I mean, I’m sure he’d be cool with it if moved to a contender and if he genuinely loves Montreal that much, he might consider coming back this summer.

 

[Adam Michaels]

 

[Archijerej]

My guess would be the contract talks are a smokescreen. No way they see Kovalchuk as a good fit for our system. At least I hope.

 

[Fixxer]

Kovalchuk was mostly effective with a very engaged center and winger, as he could be used to his strength, as the triggerman. Right now, he has to do it all playng on lesser lines and his age is showing.

 

[Whitesnake]

Was fun while it lasted.....but it's not happening anymore. Get rid of him. Signing him would be a mistake.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Was fun while it lasted.....but it's not happening anymore. Get rid of him. Signing him would be a mistake.

Trade him for two 2nd's (2021 and 2022). Sign him to a $3M base +$3M bonus (55+ pts and 20+ goals) contract in July. Then trade him for another 2nd or 3rd next deadline

Having him around if Romanov comes over is a good thing IMO.

 

[Tighthead]

Have to wonder if his trade value was higher three weeks ago. On his contract the cap isn't really an issue.

 

[Whitesnake]

Trade him for two 2nd's (2021 and 2022). Sign him to a $3M base +$3M bonus (55+ pts and 20+ goals) contract in July. Then trade him for another 2nd or 3rd next deadline

Having him around if Romanov comes over is a good thing IMO.

If he can't produce, it won't be a good thing. As of today, no teams would give us a 2nd rounder based on his last games. Impossible. I also said before that keeping him could be fine based on Romanov coming...but the guy still needs to put some points on the table.

 

[Habs Halifax]

If he can't produce, it won't be a good thing. As of today, no teams would give us a 2nd rounder based on his last games. Impossible.

I don't think the last few games are a major factor. He is still getting scoring chances, skating well and working hard. Do you think Scandela's goal against the Leafs was the reason why the Blues gave us a 2nd and 4th?

Supply and demand is a huge factor here. Blues needed a LD like Scandela and paid the price. Kovalchuk is no doubt in my mind a solid top 6 winger and teams will be looking for that.

2nd+ an the + is determined by how many teams want him and fight for him... Book it

 

[Deebs]

I think it's too much but as long as it's a 1 year deal, I'm ok with it. His compete level has fallen off the map and of course his defensive play is horrific, always was.

Trade him for a 3rd, all we're getting for him and then bring him back if agreed upon.

 

[26Mats]

I think it's too much but as long as it's a 1 year deal, I'm ok with it. His compete level has fallen off the map and of course his defensive play is horrific, always was.

Trade him for a 3rd, all we're getting for him and then bring him back if agreed upon.

People are focusing on the detrout Green goal where he was puck watching and didn't see him skate from behind him. Yet on the winning goal, Weber goes after Bertuzzi, when he's already covered by Chiarot and Suzuki, leaving the trailer wide open. He was also puck watching. It's what this team seems trained to do. Yet no one's calling Weber a train wreck defensively. It's a double standard.

Personally I think the coachubg staff preaches puck watching and has been incapable of getting ALL the players, not just Kovy, of picking up open me . It's happened all year.

This would bever happen under Trotz. Trotz comes in and all of a sudden Greis has one of the best save percentages in the league and Lehner wins the Vezina...Halak was an AHL goalie under weight. Now under Cassidy his save percentage is top notch.

Coaching matters.

 

[Deebs]

People are focusing on the detrout Green goal where he was puck watching and didn't see him skate from behind him. Yet on the winning goal, Weber goes after Bertuzzi, when he's already covered by Chiarot and Suzuki, leaving the trailer wide open. He was also puck watching. It's what this team seems trained to do. Yet no one's calling Weber a train wreck defensively. It's a double standard.

Personally I think the coachubg staff preaches puck watching and has been incapable of getting ALL the players, not just Kovy, of picking up open me . It's happened all year.

This would bever happen under Trotz. Trotz comes in and all of a sudden Greis has one of the best save percentages in the league and Lehner wins the Vezina...Halak was an AHL goalie under weight. Now under Cassidy his save percentage is top notch.

Coaching matters.

Weber is a trainwreck defensively... come on man. 9 times out of 10, he makes the right play. Mistakes happen to every player. Kovy is dog crap defensively, has been his whole career. Don't pick and choose plays to try and make a point.

 

[417]

I expect him to be traded in the next 72hrs and I hope there's no serious thought of extending him for next year.

 

[Deebs]

I expect him to be traded in the next 72hrs and I hope there's no serious thought of extending him for next year.

He should be moved if possible and if we can find a younger player when free agency opens, then no, he shouldn't be brought back.

 

[26Mats]

Weber is a trainwreck defensively... come on man. 9 times out of 10, he makes the right play. Mistakes happen to every player. Kovy is dog crap defensively, has been his whole career. Don't pick and choose plays to try and make a point.

That's what the other poster was doing. Not me.

 

[Deebs]

That's what the other poster was doing. Not me.

My apologies

 

[417]

He should be moved if possible and if we can find a younger player when free agency opens, then no, he shouldn't be brought back.

Kovalchuk was/is a $700K coupon for a 2020 mid-round pick.

That's all.

The goals were cute but their really isn't much there.

 

[19VJ17]

I expect him to be traded in the next 72hrs and I hope there's no serious thought of extending him for next year.

Yeah I don't think MB is serious about extending Kovalchuk, MB just blowing smoke up the other GM's butts to get a better return on the trade.

You know the thinking, if the one GM wants to sign him he 'must be really good"

 

[FrankMTL]

He better not be serious about extending him. What the f***! f***ing Bergy is on crack if he thinks this team is a playoff team next year! And guess what, even if they do get in the playoffs, does he actually think they'll compete for the Stanley Cup? Sell Sell Sell!!!!

My tipping point or level of tolerance is generally higher than most, but if Bergevin does nothing at the trade deadline or draft, I will lose my shit!!

 

[Archijerej]

Kovalchuk was/is a $700K coupon for a 2020 mid-round pick.

That's all.

The goals were cute but their really isn't much there.

The whole hysteria about the guy is absolutely bizarre.

 

[Max2]

I'd resign him for a one year 1.5millionish if he wants to come back.Try to get a second or 3rd for him and bring him back for one more.He's cooled off a bit but I can still see the compete and think he can still be a 20 goal 45 point guy with pp time.

 

[LeHab]

Thanks for the short enjoyable stint. Best of luck in Washington!

 

[19VJ17]

Thanks a lot Kovy, it was awesome to see you show off your amazing skills, unfortunately you showed up here 15 years too late.

 

[Big Empty]

Eric Engles already basically confirmed Kovy was coming back with this in a recent article.

Canadiens' Caufield staying in Wisconsin could open spot for Ylonen - Sportsnet.ca

And yes, even considering the likelihood of soon-to-be 37-year-old Ilya Kovalchuk returning in the off-season — if you weren’t fully convinced of it after Kovalchuk told reporters his February trade to the Washington Capitals was “not goodbye, for sure,” I’m told it’s all but a slam dunk the big right-hander will be back in Montreal on a bonus-laden contract.

Kovy also posted an Insta pic with French hashtags today.



He still follows and likes Habs Instagram content all the time.

Not that Insta activity confirms anything but all the signs are pointing to him coming back.

 

[the]

Good, he was the only positive thing this season.