Friedman: Kovalchuk Done Playing with the Kings

[Jag68Sid87]

I think Mike Sullivan would absolutely hate Kovalchuk (and any other east-west forward, really) but Kovalchuk's skill set is exactly what is now missing from the Penguins power play. Heck, Kovalchuk might even be a better fit on it than Kessel was because he has a better one-time shot.

The problem is Sullivan would play Kovalchuk even less five on five than he did Ryan Reaves.

 

[HookKing]

I think Mike Sullivan would absolutely hate Kovalchuk (and any other east-west forward, really) but Kovalchuk's skill set is exactly what is now missing from the Penguins power play. Heck, Kovalchuk might even be a better fit on it than Kessel was because he has a better one-time shot.

The problem is Sullivan would play Kovalchuk even less five on five than he did Ryan Reaves.

You mean the current guys all hit the net?

 

[KingsHockey24]

 

[Osprey]

This is the guy responsible for Kovalchuk's usage:

There’s 32 teams, there’s only 32 leading scorers on each team, so that kind of limits your opportunity to be the top guy.

 

[A Loyal Dog]

Alzner for Kovalchuk. Make it happen.

 

[deaderhead28]

Alzner for Kovalchuk. Make it happen.

Ahh hell no.

 

[xxsciroccoxx]

Kovalchuk for Alzner?

Edit: Just saw it was posted literally before I posted it...

 

[A Loyal Dog]

Kovalchuk for Alzner?

Edit: Just saw it was posted literally before I posted it...

I mean it's gotta happen.

 

[Perfect_Drug]

Gagner + Larsson

Kovalchuk (50% retained) + Toffoli

 

[xECK29x]

Setting the wheels in motion for Kovalchuk to the Islanders?

Doubt it, this is more to get Ladd playing more games beyond his conditioning stint to see how his knees are.

 

[Gospel of Prospal]

Marc Staal for Kovalchuk


Or


Marc Staal and Lias Andersson for Kovalchuk and Vilardi

 

[bleedgreen]

I think Mike Sullivan would absolutely hate Kovalchuk (and any other east-west forward, really) but Kovalchuk's skill set is exactly what is now missing from the Penguins power play. Heck, Kovalchuk might even be a better fit on it than Kessel was because he has a better one-time shot.

The problem is Sullivan would play Kovalchuk even less five on five than he did Ryan Reaves.

Kovalchuk plays a lot more north/south on the rush than you'd think. Especially in his time with the Kings. Taking the zone without the puck he drives the net taking a d with him. He'd be a good fit for Pitts, I'd love to see him there.

 

[Ola]

This is the guy responsible for Kovalchuk's usage:

Lol

 

[Homesick]

Gagner + Larsson

Kovalchuk (50% retained) + Toffoli

Both Toffoli and Kovalchuck would need 50% to be retained.
Probably still wouldn't do it as I'd rather have depth on the backend for the playoffs over a couple wingers(Rentals that are healthy scratches on one of the worst teams in the league)

 

[Jacob]

Kovalchuk plays a lot more north/south on the rush than you'd think. Especially in his time with the Kings. Taking the zone without the puck he drives the net taking a d with him. He'd be a good fit for Pitts, I'd love to see him there.

If he was a UFA it’d be a no-brainer but that extra year is a deal-breaker unless the Kings take a bad contract back, like Jack Johnson or Bjugstad (arguably not a bad contract but he doesn’t fit here).

The Penguins have some RFAs due big raises this summer.

 

[TFHockey]

Gagner + Larsson

Kovalchuk (50% retained) + Toffoli

WTF? That isn't a trade Edmonton should make. Yikes.

 

[YP44]

WTF? That isn't a trade Edmonton should make. Yikes.

I fully agree, but this kings fan likes it.

 

[LAKings88]

Kovalchuk is a freelancer who sucks at defense and doesn’t score enough to make up for his deficiencies.

Flashes of what he was but disappears most of the time.

Thought he would boost the PP but that didn’t workout either.

Gamble didn’t pay off for Blake.

 

[kings11]

Kovalchuk is a freelancer who sucks at defense and doesn’t score enough to make up for his deficiencies.

Flashes of what he was but disappears most of the time.

Thought he would boost the PP but that didn’t workout either.

Gamble didn’t pay off for Blake.

But our other Russian looks/plays better by the game!

 

[Bfreezy40]

id take him on the Sabres need some more scoring

 

[YP44]

id take him on the Sabres need some more scoring

Not sure if Buffalo is a market that Kovalchuk would waive for

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

 

[Pinkfloyd]

Will probably be dealt soon after that payout.

 

[kings11]

Will probably be dealt soon after that payout.

Pretty sure, his actual pay will be in the hundreds of thousands instead of millions and a team fighting for a Cup could take him for a dump+pick... Boston comes to mind but with how limited teams are with the cap.. He might have to wait to be traded

 

[YP44]

Pretty sure, his actual pay will be in the hundreds of thousands instead of millions and a team fighting for a Cup could take him for a dump+pick... Boston comes to mind but with how limited teams are with the cap.. He might have to wait to be traded

or LA will have to take a bad contract back