I am returning to research on the many other great players available today...We can't be "All Kovalchuk, All the Time."
Last night was a frenzy, and let's all admit when these frenzies occur we all get our blood pumping as rumors start to fly at breakneck speed.
I was thinking this morning about it all as I sucked back caffeine and tried to gather up more energy for another day on the phones.....Wanna know how much time I spend on the phone? Well this morning I had someone go out and pick me up a second bluetooth headset so I could always have one charging. When you consider they last about 6 hours...that's a lot of time on the phone.
What really happened yesterday?
Having the experience of a few deadlines here is what I sense happened last night...
Very little.
Waddell told Kovalchuk to expect a trade in what could be hours or could be days.
That statement lit the fuse ...we were all off to the races. It takes so little to ignite the rumor world these days, because stepping back all Waddell was saying to Kovalchuk was he didn't know how long it would take. That's it. And while it was nice to hear something, we all already knew he was going to be moved if they couldn't re-sign him...Even after what he said he could re-sign him.
My experience is when specific quotes from private trade meetings are leaked out...they ignite a firestorm.
Telling the press in the internet age, a press hell bent on racing each other, "it could be hours" is like yelling "Gentlemen Start Your Twitters!" Remember when Bill Guerin was sent home from and Islanders game saying he was going to be traded? We all talked about it. Made it a much bigger deal than it was...and yet, nothing happened until the deadline.
I have the upmost respect for Waddell and don't believe for a second he intended to manipulate the media. He was ok with the quote getting out there because he wanted the hockey world to know he was serious about moving Ilya Kovalchuk and if you don't get in on it now you may miss out. It was a solid move by Waddell and has helped drive up the price.
It is an ever changing landscape. There are teams getting in and teams getting out all the time. The team list that we all were going with yesterday is changing today...constantly.. It is definitely expanding.
Kovalchuk has come out today and basically told everyone its business as usual, he is playing on Friday, and he still holds out hope for an extension. He is being, and has been, extremely pro throughout this process.
My opinions...
This is just an educated guess, but I would call it 60/40 he is NOT in the lineup when all is said and done. Teams still looking for better offers play this game all the time...Waddell drives up the price by saying he intends to play. It shows Don is ok walking away...We have seen this before. We have seen players even take warm ups and then get traded. It is damn good drama, and while these are all factors, the reality is also simpler. If Waddell is not close to a deal he simply must use Kovalchuk to get every point he can for Atlanta. This is Ilya Kovalchuk and you need to make the playoffs. (this is not Olli Jokinen)
So where is this all heading?
The story I feel will emerge today and tomorrow is there are teams out there who may have better offers for Ilya Kovalchuk, but aren't willing to buck up until post Olympics.
Remember, any team going for him as a rental doesn't need him as much as Atlanta needs him right now. Any team trading for Kovalchuk needs him in the playoffs. So why give up so many assets to risk injury in the Olympics?
As much as Atlanta wants this over, I feel the ownership will trust Waddell's judgement here. The big question is: Can Waddell get an offer pre-Olympics solid enough to force the hands of one of the big contenders or one of the teams willing to spend much more post Olympics?
Many of my sources today aren't sold he can from many of his suitors, with the possible exception of NJ and one other "Team of Mystery" that has emerged...yet without many offers from other contenders will the price be high enough to justify Waddell pulling the trigger?
Remember, Waddell doesn't want to risk him getting hurt in Vancouver either. And he sure doesn't want to pay Kovalchuk on Team Russia.
An unenviable position...
You know, I feel for Waddell here. Not only is he a great guy, and the sole reason Hockey is even still in Atlanta, but were I Don Waddell I would be so furious and frustrated these Olympics are happening right now.
Think about it. Here he is....trying to make the trade of his career. A trade that may well define the future of an entire franchise in Atlanta....and the player is going to play in a hotly contested tournament for two weeks for free, essentially putting the millions of dollars spent on him and hockey in Atlanta as a whole at great risk.
If I was the Thrashers owner I would seriously consider asking Kovalchuk to not go to Vancouver. I wouldn't want to ask him, but I would have to. It wouldn't be popular, but I would have to consider all I have invested here. The millions upon millions I put into trying to grow hockey in this non-traditional market.
Don't say you wouldn't do the same, unless you have hung around the hockey front-office of an untraditional market and seen how hard they work for little gains as they desperately try to plant the seeds of this great sport among an already crowded sports and entertainment scene in their respective cities..
Understand one thing. I am not of the mindset that hockey in Atlanta dies the second Kovalchuk is traded. I firmly believe the right deal happens and hockey in Atlanta can continue its growth process.
The Future of NHLers in the Olympics at risk as well?
In many ways, looking into the crystal ball, were Kovalchuk to get hurt in Vancouver I wonder how much impact it would have on NHLers playing in the Olympics down the line? As we sit right now most are saying NHLers in future Olympics is 50/50. Ovechkin may have saved the Olympics with his comments. However, a serious injury to Kovalchuk and I am not sure the scales don't tip back...and you wouldn't be able to blame the owners.
I will have a full rumor post up shortly.
Interested in the "Most Tradeable Players" and where they may be heading? To see more exact details and percentages constantly changing based on my conversations throughout the day visit
The NHL Trade Rumor Chart. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Join the Discussion:
»