Reports out of Finland that Ilya Kovalchuk wants to return to NHL by 2016-17.


http://www.tsn.ca/report-...yeing-nhl-return-1.238308
- Moose_15

(frank) off, is what I'd say

Whats happened to my Flyers.

Sigh.

Somehow, I find it might be very, very difficult for Kovalchuk to get approval from, at least, one very, very displeased franchise located about 90 miles north of here.

Might have to wait till he's 35 -- which is still like 4 years away. Crazy he was only 28 when he bolted.

I think Read and Simmonds are pretty good wingers, don't you? I'm not going to knock Read for ONE bad year just yet. I agree more when it was Read and Umberger though.
- TheGreat28

I love Simmonds. Love everything about his game, yes he can be a bit inconsistent, but when hes hot, he's on fire, and when he's cold, he's still doing the "small things" that are needed from players.

Read- He is a solid nhl winger. He has above average playmaking skills, he's got an average shot, he's a very good defensive player, and he's got good speed. I think he still doesn't know 100% how to tie all those skills together throughout the course of nhl seasons though. He's a good winger, but I think we could easily upgrade through FA (cheaply) or through the draft.

Read should have been sat and allowed to heal with that high ankle sprain.
Another bonehead personel move.
How much difference would that have made, him being effective ES and PK
- Steelmanpa

I agree with you on sitting Read. I love that hockey players are so tough they play through pain. I also hate sometimes that hockey players are so tough they play through pain.

Reports out of Finland that Ilya Kovalchuk wants to return to NHL by 2016-17.


http://www.tsn.ca/report-...yeing-nhl-return-1.238308
- Moose_15

Needs approval from all teams. Could be tough.

(frank) off, is what I'd say
- Giroux_Is_God

Guy was absolutely gifted. Just a pure sniper with size and speed.


Intangibles aside, he'd look pretty good next to Giroux and Voracek, all I'm saying.

Needs approval from all teams. Could be tough.
- PhillySportsGuy

Yeah -- I'm not so sure Uncle Lou will be pleased to read this in the newspaper.

Guy was absolutely gifted. Just a pure sniper with size and speed.


Intangibles aside, he'd look pretty good next to Giroux and Voracek, all I'm saying.
- Moose_15

Agree completely.

That being said, he can still (frank) off.

I love Simmonds. Love everything about his game, yes he can be a bit inconsistent, but when hes hot, he's on fire, and when he's cold, he's still doing the "small things" that are needed from players.

Read- He is a solid nhl winger. He has above average playmaking skills, he's got an average shot, he's a very good defensive player, and he's got good speed. I think he still doesn't know 100% how to tie all those skills together throughout the course of nhl seasons though. He's a good winger, but I think we could easily upgrade through FA (cheaply) or through the draft.
- benjichronic

I'm the reverse on Read. I think he has an above-average shot and average playmaking skills. But really, that is quibbling.

The point is, they are a pretty good set of wingers. I think if Couturier was the playmaker that you guys are saying, there is more than enough skill there to have a pretty good line.

They are good.

But I also wouldn't mind upgrading on them.

I am probably one of the few who would trade Simmonds while his value is high.
- J35Bacher

I would in a heart beat assuming we get a really good return. Love him and his work ethic, but if we could get a solid defenseman, or a bona fide 2c, I'd be happy.

Agree completely.

That being said, he can still (frank) off.
- Giroux_Is_God

Yeah -- I'm not so sure Uncle Lou will be pleased to read this in the newspaper.
- Moose_15

I disagree. I'd imagine he'd be enamored at the idea of shooting his hopes and dreams down

Needs approval from all teams. Could be tough.
- PhillySportsGuy

I can see a lot GM's/Team Presidents lining up for the guy in their market

I can also see many of the same people doing anything they can to prevent it, especially if it benefits the Devils in any way at all. Lou L pulled a lot of shennanigans with roster moves which is one of the reasons there are the over 35 contracts and all the accompanying garbage in the CBA

Agree completely.

That being said, he can still (frank) off.
- Giroux_Is_God

And he'll sign with the Pens or Islanders and terrorize our developing D prospects until they've completed their rookie contracts and we have to trade/release them because of cap inflexibility.

Yeah -- I'm not so sure Uncle Lou will be pleased to read this in the newspaper.
- Moose_15

I would let him back in. He's good for the sports and wants to play here

Reports out of Finland that Ilya Kovalchuk wants to return to NHL by 2016-17.


http://www.tsn.ca/report-...yeing-nhl-return-1.238308
- Moose_15

I would let him back in. He's good for the sports and wants to play here
- PhillySportsGuy

He's a selfish POS who abandoned his teammates here in the US, made NJ lose a pick, only to chase money in the KHL. And he claimed the main reason was to be with family... then why does he want to come back?

It wouldn't bother me if they don't let him back in...

I would let him back in. He's good for the sports and wants to play here
- PhillySportsGuy

World Class Talent.

But he basically franked the Devils -- their subsequent draft classes -- and their financials.

They couldn't re-sign Parise, too, because of their massive investment into Kovalchuk.

They couldn't re-sign Parise, too, because of their massive investment into Kovalchuk.
- Moose_15

...also this.

You boys see OEL go Brian Leetch last night for his 20th? Pretty as a peach.

Needs approval from all teams. Could be tough.
- PhillySportsGuy

I'm not sure why any team would give approval unless he is coming to play for them. And then the other 29 would be like, no soup for you!

I'm not sure why any team would give approval unless he is coming to play for them. And then the other 29 would be like, no soup for you!
- MBFlyerfan

I wonder though if it would create a problem with the players association. Also if Russian prospects see this or players from SEL or other leagues maybe they stop coming over. Probably not but I wonder if it would open a can of worms by basically denying him from coming back

I wonder if someone like Cam Fowler might become available. With the D guys there and emergence of Vatenen and Lindholm I wonder if a deal could be made with the Ducks.

I wonder though if it would create a problem with the players association. Also if Russian prospects see this or players from SEL or other leagues maybe they stop coming over. Probably not but I wonder if it would open a can of worms by basically denying him from coming back
- J35Bacher

I don't think it would, if it was based on past precedents. He really screwed NJ over good... As long as European players don't come over here and consistently do the same thing, they should have nothing to fear.