Player Discussion Johnathan Kovacevic

[ChesterNimitz]

Kovacevic was always amongst the best +/- on his team since his professional start. He has shown enough to get a shot as a top-4 defenseman 5-on-5 with the habs being weak on the right side. Very under-rated with the puck for a big defenseman, You'd wish he'd be more physical at that size but isn't.

Perfect cheap stop-gas player while our prospects develop their game. He should get a nice pay raise at the end of his contract and an incredible pick-up by HuGo.

I wouldn't mind trying him on a shutdown pairing with Guhle like they did in the pre-season.

Matheson - Savard
Guhle - Kovacevic
Xhekaj - Harris

I see some posters putting him at the #7 defenseman spot due to salary and some of our prospects potential but he isn't worst than a chiarot/edmundson type of top-4 defenseman who can move up and down the lineup on a very strong defense. Durable as well, I wouldn't trade Kovacevic until next year's trade deadline for a very good price which at that point the habs should be stacked at defense, which they already are but even better.

He’s already showing more than Edmundson did last year. Kovacevic is more mobile and the sweet passes he made to Guhle and Monahan that resulted in goals were the type of plays that Edmundson has never been able to make.

 

[NewDef]

Some laugh about waiver pickups but if one makes his homework we can get surprises like Byron and Kovacevic.

I really like Kovacevic. It seem he just needed to have the reps at that level as everything looked good. I like him better than Kulak back then which netted a 2nd iirc. I would'nt be surprised to get a late 1st or a Dach type of deal with him being a key piece.

 

[Tyson]

Some laugh about waiver pickups but if one makes his homework we can get surprises like Byron and Kovacevic.

I really like Kovacevic. It seem he just needed to have the reps at that level as everything looked good. I like him better than Kulak back then which netted a 2nd iirc. I would'nt be surprised to get a late 1st or a Dach type of deal with him being a key piece.

Don't forget that Montembeault was a waiver pick up.

 

[NewDef]

Don't forget that Montembeault was a waiver pick up.

Indeed, i tough i was missing one, thanks!

 

[417]

Even if he's nothing more than what he current is, he's great value @ 800K

 

[Tyson]

Even if he's nothing more than what he current is, he's great value @ 800K

He at least proved he can play in the NHL. All he needed was a chance.

 

[ZUKI]

He’s already showing more than Edmundson did last year. Kovacevic is more mobile and the sweet passes he made to Guhle and Monahan that resulted in goals were the type of plays that Edmundson has never been able to make.

Habs are about to get 8 dmen #1 and 4 x first line. It's sad that Monsieur Guy Lafleur won't see that

 

[Rapala]

He’s already showing more than Edmundson did last year. Kovacevic is more mobile and the sweet passes he made to Guhle and Monahan that resulted in goals were the type of plays that Edmundson has never been able to make.

I find he is very very good at taking what is given. His game is remarkably problem free. The kind of steady that has great value for the coaching staff.

 

[jrom]

Some laugh about waiver pickups but if one makes his homework we can get surprises like Byron and Kovacevic.

I really like Kovacevic. It seem he just needed to have the reps at that level as everything looked good. I like him better than Kulak back then which netted a 2nd iirc. I would'nt be surprised to get a late 1st or a Dach type of deal with him being a key piece.

On top of that he sounds like the chilliest possible teammate

 

[Rapala]

On top of that he sounds like the chilliest possible teammate

Chilliest or Chillest?

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Kovacevic is legit NHL Dman with Mailloux and Reinbacher he could make a guy like Barron expendable.

He's making Savard immediately expendable.

On top of that he sounds like the chilliest possible teammate

I'm a more of a taco man myself.

 

[Steve Shutt]

Indeed, i tough i was missing one, thanks!

Other recent waiver claims under Gorton include Clague, Pitlick, and Tierney.

 

[NewDef]

Other recent waiver claims under Gorton include Clague, Pitlick, and Tierney.

Yeah but meh... lol

Tierney was stop gap in a decimated team. Not awfull but not worth keeping.

 

[Flair Hay]

Hey guys, was chatter about Kovacevic on the Jets forum. Curious how he has played for you guys this year. His role, how well, if he has gotten even better since last year or regressed a bit etc. Anything you have to share is appreciated.

 

[Saku K]

Hey guys, was chatter about Kovacevic on the Jets forum. Curious how he has played for you guys this year. His role, how well, if he has gotten even better since last year or regressed a bit etc. Anything you have to share is appreciated.

Last year, Kovacevic was put on the third pairing and I think he was pretty reliable, durable and gave us a right-handed defenseman which we sorely needed at a very cheap price.

This year, after a strong training camp he was again a staple in the lineup, he was even tried on a higher pairing where he struggled unfortunately to remain as good as he was on the bottom pairing. He seems to have lost some confidence with the puck and has been pushed down the depth chart with our emerging young defensemans coming in and has been in the stands a few times.

A smart player for his size, you'd wish he'd be more physical though, good 6th/7th defenseman at league minimum, always seem to find himself on the positive side of things against lesser opponents. All in all a successful stop-gas cheap waiver claim. However, I doubt he'll be in the plans long-term due to our prospects coming in but he's shown enough to be in the nhl for awhile.

 

[habbubba]

Like that he has gotten combative the last few games,not shying away from dropping the mitts.

Did hear an interview with him though and he said they are still fighting and hoping to make the playoffs,did management not give him the memo?

 

[Tyson]

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Like that he has gotten combative the last few games,not shying away from dropping the mitts.

Did hear an interview with him though and he said they are still fighting and hoping to make the playoffs,did management not give him the memo?

Players fighting for their professional lives will never quit. You need inexpensive players like Kovasevic.

 

[salbutera]

I find it interesting no rumors of Kovacevic as deadline trade bait… he’s the one I’m expecting to be moved.

Combination of digestible AAV + depth player contenders look for at deadline

 

[habbubba]

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Players fighting for their professional lives will never quit. You need inexpensive players like Kovasevic.

Naturally but this fan base and most I presume shit on these players as if they are 5,6,7,+ million dollar players,you get what you pay for.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Like that he has gotten combative the last few games,not shying away from dropping the mitts.

Did hear an interview with him though and he said they are still fighting and hoping to make the playoffs,did management not give him the memo?

They're professional athletes, they don't care what management is doing. They are playing for play-offs but management is managing for the future.

 

[Tyson]

Naturally but this fan base and most I presume shit on these players as if they are 5,6,7,+ million dollar players,you get what you pay for.

In a Cap world you need some of your D to be affordable and guys like Kovasevic do just that. I like Kovasevic, an honest player who gives you a good effort and does it pretty well.

 

[Habs 4 Life]

I find it interesting no rumors of Kovacevic as deadline trade bait… he’s the one I’m expecting to be moved.

Combination of digestible AAV + depth player contenders look for at deadline

100%, but then again, 26 years old, getting 766 000$ next season, is he worth trading for a 4th-5th round pick? The answer is no. I'd rather he stays here as a# 5-6-7. If he keeps it up, he will be worth more next season if we needed to move him to make space for our younger ds

 

[habbubba]

In a Cap world you need some of your D to be affordable and guys like Kovasevic do just that. I like Kovasevic, an honest player who gives you a good effort and does it pretty well.

Yes but would be nice if fans were cognizant about it.

 

[Tyson]

Yes but would be nice if fans were cognizant about it.

%

 

[CAUFIELD]

100%, but then again, 26 years old, getting 766 000$ next season, is he worth trading for a 4th-5th round pick? The answer is no. I'd rather he stays here as a# 5-6-7. If he keeps it up, he will be worth more next season if we needed to move him to make space for our younger ds

He’s not worth a 5th or 6th.

He’s worth a 2nd round pick minimum for the following reasons

RD (most coveted position in Hockey)
Paid minimum salary for another year. All the teams can fit him.
Solid defensively and plays PK well
Still young (26 yo)
Low maintenance guy and great seize