Sparksrus3
Registered User
- Jun 2, 2012
- 10,036
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we had the worst record in 2000-2001 and a 25 percent lottery chance at Kovalchuk . Instead we wind up with Carol Alts boyfriend.
Confirmed Signing with Link: Ilya Kovalchuk with Avangard Omsk of the KHL
- Thread starter hockeykicker
- Start date
we had the worst record in 2000-2001 and a 25 percent lottery chance at Kovalchuk . Instead we wind up with Carol Alts boyfriend.
Panteras
“I’ll remember this hell of a journey”- Barkov
For me, Kovalchuk was one of the most dynamic players of his generations.
I think people are getting really worked up about the goalscorer arguments with Ovechkin.
It's clear Ovechkin is the greatest goalscorer of the generation.
But not to diminish Kovy in anyway.
Kovalchuk's release, his top shelf wrister, name me someone better even today. I'll wait.
His 1 timers have nothing to envy Ovie's at all.
I think people are getting really worked up about the goalscorer arguments with Ovechkin.
It's clear Ovechkin is the greatest goalscorer of the generation.
But not to diminish Kovy in anyway.
Kovalchuk's release, his top shelf wrister, name me someone better even today. I'll wait.
His 1 timers have nothing to envy Ovie's at all.
Foppberg
Registered User
AlphaBravo
Registered User
He was a good leader on the Kings. Very professional and a class act. Just bad timing with joining the Kings, and didn't get the ice time he deserved. Best of luck to him.
1865
Alpha Couturier
bleedgreen
Registered User
Get your nose checked then. There's never been any proof backing up the concept that Kovalchuk isn't a team player and that he wasnt very passionate about winning.
Sorry I said captain while typing quickly running around, Brodeur said teammate and "one of". I wasnt trying to overhype, just to state that when you hear from his teammates all the crap fans like to imagine about Kovalchuk fizzles out.
https://nypost.com/2018/03/15/rangers-must-go-after-ilya-kovalchuk-who-isnt-who-you-think-he-is/
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CutOnDime97
Too Showman
- Mar 29, 2008
- 15,589
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My favorite Kovy moment. Was one of my favorite players as a kid.
CreeksideStrangler
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Larry Hanson
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- Aug 1, 2020
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Guy has made just ridiculous amounts of money in his career. I'd love to criticize him and think of ways that he might have won a cup but he's going to eventually retire in his home country as a bazillionaire celebrity with friends in the highest offices. At 37 years old I can safely declare him a winner at life.
jetsforever
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- Dec 14, 2013
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Zats Muccarello
Grinder
Martin Skoula
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- Oct 18, 2017
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I don't get the bad character talk. Say what you will about him being selfish or whatever, but the guy is clearly one of the most intense competitors in the sport. You don't get to complain about someone being a dick if he works harder than you, it's the Jordan rule.
CanadienShark
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- Dec 18, 2012
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Mick Jagr
Nice guy, tries hard, loves the game.
- Sep 28, 2014
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This was fantastic. Forgot all about it. Didnt forget how insufferable Crosby was as a rookie though.
Better Call Sal
Salnalysis
Despite how he left NJ in 2013, you came to the realization he did our organization a favor getting out when he did. That contract would truly have been a nightmare at this point.
This notion being passed around that he had a lazy or bad attitude in NJ is widely off base. Kovy came over in 2010 under Jacques Lemaire who he's regarded before as a coach he really enjoyed playing for. The situation with the contract that summer, Lemaire retiring and them bringing in John MacLean who was a brutal HC, cap issues and frustration from veterans in the locker room like Jamie Langenbrunner soured over to that awful first half. When MacLean was fired and Lemaire was brought back, he got them back to playing in a structured system. Lemaire infamously said in his first press conference back that it seemed like players had "forgotten how to play the game" and that he'd never seen anything like that before.
Once Lemaire was in place, the Devils went on a tear and Kovy was at the helm. There were many nights he dragged that team to a 1 goal victory. In 2011-2012 under DeBoer, he was used in PK situations and showed more willingness to play a 200 foot game than I ever imagined he would. This was his best, most complete season and he arguably was the best forward in the playoffs.
Once the lockout happened and he had gone back home to the KHL, I think he realized what he could make there and be the local hero as opposed to the uncertainty of what would happen with the NHL. Of course it sucked as a fan and it was blindsiding when it happened, but him getting out when he did saved a lot of potential dead money issues for the Devils down the road. They could have been responsible for millions per year had he retired even 1 or 2 years later, but instead it's just $250k a year until the end of days.
I recommend anyone who hasn't done so listen to him on the Cam & Strick podcast. I think it'll change some people's perception of him:
This notion being passed around that he had a lazy or bad attitude in NJ is widely off base. Kovy came over in 2010 under Jacques Lemaire who he's regarded before as a coach he really enjoyed playing for. The situation with the contract that summer, Lemaire retiring and them bringing in John MacLean who was a brutal HC, cap issues and frustration from veterans in the locker room like Jamie Langenbrunner soured over to that awful first half. When MacLean was fired and Lemaire was brought back, he got them back to playing in a structured system. Lemaire infamously said in his first press conference back that it seemed like players had "forgotten how to play the game" and that he'd never seen anything like that before.
Once Lemaire was in place, the Devils went on a tear and Kovy was at the helm. There were many nights he dragged that team to a 1 goal victory. In 2011-2012 under DeBoer, he was used in PK situations and showed more willingness to play a 200 foot game than I ever imagined he would. This was his best, most complete season and he arguably was the best forward in the playoffs.
Once the lockout happened and he had gone back home to the KHL, I think he realized what he could make there and be the local hero as opposed to the uncertainty of what would happen with the NHL. Of course it sucked as a fan and it was blindsiding when it happened, but him getting out when he did saved a lot of potential dead money issues for the Devils down the road. They could have been responsible for millions per year had he retired even 1 or 2 years later, but instead it's just $250k a year until the end of days.
I recommend anyone who hasn't done so listen to him on the Cam & Strick podcast. I think it'll change some people's perception of him:
I’m very happy for his time in Montreal but I can’t say that I was expecting him back. When he came to Montreal they had 4 of their top 9 forwards out. I feel as if when he came in he was really motivated and played his best. Then when the team was getting healthier and he was bumped down in the lineup his play really diminished. Then once the trade deadline approached rumour has it that Montreal was offered better than Washington’s 3rd rounder but Kovalchuk wanted to play with Ovechkin and Montreal obliged.
Kovalchuk said that he really enjoyed his time in Montreal and the fans loved him. Even with his age you could see the skills he has. He parted on really good terms with Montreal so it was just assumed by fans that he would come back. With the way that his game tailed off in Montreal and with his weak playoff performance it’s not much of a surprise that he didn’t find an NHL job.
Montreal went into the offseason with the intent on becoming bigger and more physical. Traded for Edmonston’s rights before UFA. Traded Domi for Anderson. Signed Toffoli as a UFA. Traded for Allen to vastly improve their backup. When all was said and done they spent to the cap. I believe that Kovalchuk was still an option heading into the offseason but he was low on their priority list. I still feel as if he can be a NHL player but he plays more of an east west game while most teams play a north south game.
In the end I am sure that he will make a lot more money playing in the KHL than what he would signing to a NHL minimum contract with some team just to get an NHL job.
Kovalchuk said that he really enjoyed his time in Montreal and the fans loved him. Even with his age you could see the skills he has. He parted on really good terms with Montreal so it was just assumed by fans that he would come back. With the way that his game tailed off in Montreal and with his weak playoff performance it’s not much of a surprise that he didn’t find an NHL job.
Montreal went into the offseason with the intent on becoming bigger and more physical. Traded for Edmonston’s rights before UFA. Traded Domi for Anderson. Signed Toffoli as a UFA. Traded for Allen to vastly improve their backup. When all was said and done they spent to the cap. I believe that Kovalchuk was still an option heading into the offseason but he was low on their priority list. I still feel as if he can be a NHL player but he plays more of an east west game while most teams play a north south game.
In the end I am sure that he will make a lot more money playing in the KHL than what he would signing to a NHL minimum contract with some team just to get an NHL job.
All good memories for me of Kovy. One of the best goalscorers we will get to watch. I also don't think he was nearly as bad as everyone makes him out to be with Washington. Reirden sucked and it brought the general play of everyone down. Would have loved to see him back in DC with a solid coach like Lavi, but, obviously that was likely to not happen. I also hesitate to allow media to label players and bring them down. There are biases and a lot of more-than-needed rhetoric that outrageously turns into character assassinations as it accumulates over time. Kovy was - and still is - a HUGE competitor and he never dogged it. Could he have been too serious and an asshole? Sure, but, I would never use words like lazy, a cancer, or a bad teammate to describe him. He wore his heart on his sleeve, even in the few games he played with Washington.
Why are you so bent out of shape that someone prefers Kovalchuks shot to Ovechkin's?
People are allowed to have differing opinions and like different things. Jesus christ man.
Sky04
Registered User
- Jan 8, 2009
- 29,202
- 18,367
So you agree Kovalchuk was a better goal scorer than Ovechkin and Ovechkin was only better because of the team he played on? Opinions can be stupid.
I've always liked Kovy, I wanted him really bad back when the Kings and Devils were competing for his UFA services (though was happy then in hindsight that we didn't get him), and I was happy when LA took a chance on him recently. He still has some speed and skill and can still be a PP specialist, but outside of that he is very much a dire liability defensively in the NHL and there can't be many left looking for his services.
I felt he was grossly misused when he first came to LA but was treated pretty fairly this year and it still didn't pan out. Wish him nothing but the best, but despite his draft location, his ups and downs were largely of his own doing for better or worse.
I felt he was grossly misused when he first came to LA but was treated pretty fairly this year and it still didn't pan out. Wish him nothing but the best, but despite his draft location, his ups and downs were largely of his own doing for better or worse.
kerrabria
Registered User
- May 3, 2018
- 3,883
- 4,753
This thread shows how stupid and petty a lot of sports fans are.
The guy makes decisions about his career based on what he thinks is gonna make him happy. Oh the horror of him not wanting to toil on shitty small market teams in a country where he obviously doesn't vibe with the culture.
I mean what are you guys, in middle school? What exactly does Kovalchuk owe you or your city?
inb4 "millions to play a game"
He took a big pay cut to play back home. The canard about making a shit ton of money doesn't work on him because the money obviously wasn't worth it to him.
The guy makes decisions about his career based on what he thinks is gonna make him happy. Oh the horror of him not wanting to toil on shitty small market teams in a country where he obviously doesn't vibe with the culture.
I mean what are you guys, in middle school? What exactly does Kovalchuk owe you or your city?
inb4 "millions to play a game"
He took a big pay cut to play back home. The canard about making a shit ton of money doesn't work on him because the money obviously wasn't worth it to him.
