Confirmed Trade: [WSH/MTL] Ilya Kovalchuk (50% retained) for 2020 3rd round pick

[Drake1588]

It seems likely the Caps will try these lines at first:

Ovechkin - Backstrom - Wilson
Vrana - Kuznetsov - Oshie
Hagelin - Eller - Kovalchuk
Leipsic/Panik - Dowd - Hathaway
Bench: Panik/Leipsic, Boyd

Whether or not they juggle lines, what the addition does is give Eller the scoring winger he hasn't had on the third line this year.

 

[moropanov]

Hah Capitals looking destined to lose at first or second round definitely not real serious contender this season.

 

[Brucelenok]

Kovy will be perfect fit on their 3rd line with Eller and Hagelin IMO especially considering they've played together with Hags in LA. Hopefully Kovy will improve Caps PP this year for Caps too, it is crucial for them in order to succeed in playoffs. Even at 36, the guy still has an elite shot. Overall, solid signing

 

[LTIR]

Thought Kovy was going to net Habs a first.

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

Kovy will be perfect fit on their 3rd line with Eller and Hagelin IMO especially considering they've played together with Hags in LA. Hopefully Kovy will improve Caps PP this year for Caps too, it is crucial for them in order to succeed in playoffs. Even at 36, the guy still has an elite shot. Overall, solid signing

Hagelin never played for the Kings. Also this was a trade and not a signing.

 

[PoutineSp00nZ]

Thats pretty cool. Two of the best Russians of the generation on the same team, even if one is at the end of his career. But if anyone can convince Kovalchuk to give it his all, its Ovechkin.

Caps loading up.

 

[RalphKing]

I like this trade for the caps

 

[MO!]

Hagelin never played for the Kings. Also this was a trade and not a signing.

Wrong.

 

[Brucelenok]

Hagelin never played for the Kings. Also this was a trade and not a signing.

Yes, he did play for them prior to join Caps

 

[PensandCaps]

Hagelin never played for the Kings. Also this was a trade and not a signing.

played like 20 games for them last season

 

[Bouboumaster]

Ok trade

 

[TheBuriedHab]

Can't be upset about this as a habs fan. Free 3rd. Take it and run.

 

[Kraken Jokes]

MB turned a 4th into a 2nd and conditional 4 and turned a signing into a 3rd. That’s good assets mgmt, now what’s next?

Actually drafting and developing NHL players with those picks, rather than wasting them.

 

[SeanConn]

Could’ve had him for free not too long ago....

not with Montreal retaining 50%!

 

[1909]

MTL should have just kept him and signed him. He seemed to enjoy it there and played well. A 3rd is peanuts.

Good for the caps tho, maybe playing with OV will further rejuvenate him

It seems that Kovy demanded to be traded to a contender by trade deadline. He might sign with MTL on July 1st. That's the deal.

 

[Bertuzzzi44]

Hah Capitals looking destined to lose at first or second round definitely not real serious contender this season.

Yup, Kovalchuk’s a lazy player.

 

[Runner77]

Good seeing you around. It's been a while.

Thanks. Good seeing you here.

 

[ottawa]

We retain 50% and only get a 3rd?! Bergevin got fleeced, hard.

That 50% is like 70k lol

 

[Roshi]

I wouldnt bash Bergevin or Habs fans. I think Habs could have had a 2nd, or not, but all the time Bergevin was going to let Kovy choose his destination and took whatever he could From that team.

Kovy would not have signed with Habs if they didnt have a mutual understanding what happens later on.

Kovy to Caps is perfect on paper. Lets see what he has on the tank. Atleast he should come in motivated, and he has a Support Group to help him adjust.

 

[Spearmint Rhino]

Actually drafting and developing NHL players with those picks, rather than wasting them.

That’s asking a lot when you’re trying to contend every year, prospects need to develop on their own time, we have to look out for the journeyman - we are basically the player emergency fund.

 

[No ReGretzkys]

Happy for Kovy, he was definitely a fan favorite here in Montreal. He earned this opportunity. If the habs don't make it in the playoffs, which they likely won't, I will certainly be rooting for Kovy and the Caps to win it all... Love you Kovy

 

[torniojaws]

I think Ovi just went: "Here's 30 bucks - get me Kovy"

 

[Vancouver Canucks]

Ovy and Kovy in the same team. Two excellent snipers.

 

[JianYang]

Am I the only one that thinks that's steep for a guy with 19 points? Has he actually been that good recently to warrant the hooplah?

Curious where the Caps use him.

He still got those hands. The explosiveness is gone, though.

He faded a bit during his last 5 games or so in Montreal, but I'll be intrigued to see how he is used and how he fares.

He really connected with the fans in Montreal, and his teammates and coaches seemed to praise him too.

 

[Nucks for the Cup]

3rd makes sense but gotta say Bergevin has done a pretty good job with Scandella and Kovy. Scandella he got for a 4th but also traded Mike Rielly for a 5th to make space for Scandella. Month later he turned Scandella into a 2nd and conditional 4th and signed Kovy when most didn't think he had anything left and was able to get a free 3rd basically.

Two months of Kovy got them a 3rd and a month and a half of Scandella got them a second and potentially their 4th back for him, solid work for a team trying to build