LeBrun: The Ilya Kovalchuk sweepstakes have officially started

[Beezeral]

I think he goes to Washington

Ovechkin/Backstrom on one line and Kovy/Kuzny on another

with what cap room?

 

[Number1RedWingsFan52]

I think he goes to Washington

Ovechkin/Backstrom on one line and Kovy/Kuzny on another

Only if they sign their RFAs without bringing back Shattenkirk, Oshie and Alzner then maybe they can afford Kovy.

 

[Riseonfire]

with what cap room?

Kovy can sign a cheap 1 year contract if he wants to go to a serious contender. He's made his fortune.

I'd hope he's coming back to the NHL to win, not to get paid.

 

[LMFAO]

with what cap room?

Oshie and Williams are likely gone and that saves almost 8 millions there...but yeah I didn't realise Kuznetsov is a RFA... he's likely getting 6-7 Millions a year

 

[ollewall]

I would assume he goes to the NHL for a shot at glory, rather than money, as he probably would get a better paycheck staying in the KHL.

 

[Stephen]

Would Washington ever decide to replace Ovechkin with Kovalchuk plus all the bounty they get back in an Ovi trade?

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Kovy can sign a cheap 1 year contract if he wants to go to a serious contender. He's made his fortune.

I'd hope he's coming back to the NHL to win, not to get paid.

You don't know Ilya Kovalchuk

 

[ghdi]

Kovy can sign a cheap 1 year contract if he wants to go to a serious contender. He's made his fortune.

I'd hope he's coming back to the NHL to win, not to get paid.

If this was his mindset, he probably would not be willing to go through the hassle of a sign and trade. He'd just wait til next year when he'd come back as a full fledged UFA with no strings. It stands to reason that Kovy is going the harder route to get the last decent contract of his NHL career since the contract signed at 34 doesn't fall under the Over 35 rules. Its a lot easier for a team to sign him to a 3 year deal this year than it is next. The commitment is not the same since the penalties don't exist. He's not coming back to do the Devils any favors. Unless the situation in Russia is so toxic or he's worried about getting hurt, I can't imagine he's doing this now for any other reason.

I think he ends up with the highest bidder (contractually, not necessarily the return) by the time this is over. Undoubtedly he has some places completely ruled out, but if say Vegas tosses him a big money offer, he'd take it and run.

 

[HBK27]

If this was his mindset, he probably would not be willing to go through the hassle of a sign and trade. He'd just wait til next year when he'd come back as a full fledged UFA with no strings. It stands to reason that Kovy is going the harder route to get the last decent contract of his NHL career since the contract signed at 34 doesn't fall under the Over 35 rules. Its a lot easier for a team to sign him to a 3 year deal this year than it is next. The commitment is not the same since the penalties don't exist. He's not coming back to do the Devils any favors. Unless the situation in Russia is so toxic or he's worried about getting hurt, I can't imagine he's doing this now for any other reason.

I think he ends up with the highest bidder (contractually, not necessarily the return) by the time this is over. Undoubtedly he has some places completely ruled out, but if say Vegas tosses him a big money offer, he'd take it and run.

Or...if he actually is coming back to try to win a Cup, he realizes that not only is his time running out, but he'll likely also be less likely to contribute to a team with every season that passes. So, just sitting out another year to choose your team (when he can still exert some pressure to go to a team of his choosing) is not really a good option.

 

[seafoam]

So has he been playing RW or LW in Russia?

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Friedman mentioned the Islanders as a possibility in his latest 30 thoughts.

 

[SCMURRAY]

Id send Kulemin and Strome for Kovy

 

[Number1RedWingsFan52]

Friedman mentioned the Islanders as a possibility in his latest 30 thoughts.

He does have a home there in New York plus here in Florida, And there's some talk of him interested in the Rangers, Islanders and Panthers for what it's worth.

 

[Spoiled Bratt]

Id send Kulemin and Strome for Kovy

If I'm Shero I'm asking for Pulock and a pick. We need blueliners and right wingers.

 

[uncleben]

I was talking about the entry draft. He is not in play for the expansion draft. He can't be picked by Vegas, can't be signed by Vegas, and his rights can't be traded to Vegas as part of the expansion draft process. As far as the NHL is concerned. Kovalchuck does not exist until July 1st

Rereading your comment I'm not sure how I interpreted it the way I originally did.


I guess for some reason I was thinking something like Vegas and New Jersey agree to the following:
Vegas selects Player A from Jersey.
Jersey signs Kovalchuk to a contract.
Vegas trades Player A back to Jersey for Kovalchuk (effectively drafting him in the expansion draft).


That scenario would not be allowed, but it's also not what you were saying

 

[New Jack City]

Slava Malamud on twitter now saying Kovy wants to stay in the KHL

lol

 

[hockeykicker]

slava malamud on twitter now saying kovy wants to stay in the khl

lol

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

If I never heard this guy's name for the rest of my life, I would be ecstatic

 

[edguy]

Nobody in the NHL wants to pay the price. I don't blame them

 

[caley]

 

[Saint Patrick]

Weird Friedman is saying the opposite, apparently that he'd like it to be with the Rangers. All speculation so who knows.

https://www.fanragsports.com/news/friedman-looks-potential-destinations-kovalchuk/

 

[Blender]

Probably not getting the kind of money and term he wants.

 

[seafoam]

Probably just KHL propaganda to distract the hockey world from the news that there are a few KHL teams folding.

 

[Eric Sachs]

Probably just KHL propaganda to distract the hockey world from the news that there are a few KHL teams folding.

I think it very well could be posturing either way, it's hard to know in this situation IMO.

Could be Kovy trying to get a better offer from the NHL by feigning he's interested in going back to the KHL.

Could be Kovy was feigning interest in the NHL all along and now he's getting the offer he wanted from the KHL.

Could be his KHL team is posturing to their fans by saying he's coming back.

The first decision that needs to be made is whether Kovalchuk wants to play in the NHL. I'm not sure that decision has necessarily been made yet and it may come down to the money.

 

[Aceboogie]

Cant see many teams offering up alot just to take on a 6.5 mil to 7 mil deal for an old player who hasnt been in NHL for a while

I mean even just signing him to that deal is risky, much less trading assets to even get that contract