I guess it's a matter of what happens first. If the Devils have to negotiate a contract with him first then they have no leverage. Teams will just say, "we'll give you a 4th otherwise you can deal with the contract and the unhappy player."

If the Devils can work with other teams BEFORE doing his new contract? Yes, then they have that leverage. I just don't know what's legal vs what's not. I mean, I thought his original 15 year contract was legal but that certainly came back to bite us.
- jersey1414

I certainly don't know about the legality of things.

But I do know that GM's aren't usually in the business of viciously screwing each other over. I am sure that the Devils wouldn't agree to any binding contracts unless they had a deal agreed to beforehand. I'm also sure that they could build in plenty of protection to a contract to keep them from getting bitten in the ass in the event that Kovalchuk ends up not coming here to play.

I just think that they'll probably get a list of teams from Kovalchuk that he'd like to play for and then negotiate with those teams. I'm sure any deal would hinge on Kovalchuk agreeing to the terms of the contract that, essentially, the "new" team was "offering".

Wasn't the point of my post. I was just saying if all that guy expected in return was a 1st round pick, I think most teams would happily pay that...assuming his contract demands weren't insane.

But on that note, the Devils absolutely have leverage. They can tell him to get lost and (frank) off if they aren't going to get a decent return. His only other option would be to sign with another team but then 30 other NHL franchises have to vote to allow him back in the league.

If he's too picky with the Devils (about where he is "traded" to) and they can't get what they want, they can tell him "too bad, go back to the KHL" or "good luck getting 30 owners to sign off on your return". No GM is going to OK the return of him to a division rival, it will never happen.
- eichiefs9

a 2nd and couple meh prospects is better than nothing.

i could see the price getting up to as high as the kesler return (sbisa, bonino and a 1st).

but with kovlachuk being gone for so long and being older than kesler, i'm not sure if it gets that high.

The only options for Kovy to be in the NHL is to either play for the Devils or a sign and trade. If he doesn't want to play in NJ, I can see Shero granting teams the ability to talk contract with Kovy stating "this is what it will take for us to sign and trade him to you". With that in mind, teams are going to have to be willing to give up something. Plus, depending on the contract $$, something will probably have to come back. Remember NJ has loads of cap space.

If a team really wants Kovy, I can see NJ getting something of significance for him. I'd even say a Top 4 D man. If Kovy is serious about coming back to the NHL, then NJ actually holds all of the cards. There might be a match with Montreal based on how Bergevin's season ending presser went. Maybe something around Beaulieu and a draft pick or Galchenyuk (more pieces, not straight up).

Kovy has accomplished basically everything he could have wanted in his KHL stint. I would think winning the Gagarin Cup for a 2nd time has solidified him in the hearts of Russians forever and he can happily do as he pleases now, whereas if he hadn't won yet I'm sure he'd feel it was an absolute failure and would be pressing harder to win over there.

I absolutely think he's back in the NHL next season. Regardless who it's for. I'm actually kind of shocked people think he won't be a solid contributor. I would see his floor being around 55-60 with a ceiling as relatively high as it used to be. I wouldn't be surprised to see him reach 75-80 if on a good team or on a good line. It obviously won't last forever, but I'm sure he'll be solid for a least a 2-3 seasons barring injury. I think it's a better risk than Radulov was and look how he turned out for the Habs.

Agreed.
Hall is better than PARISE.
but Hall and KOVI together . even with Zajac winning faceoffs.

Hall-Zajac -Kovi
Henrique - Zacha - Palmieri
Qunenneville- ????? -Mcleod
Wood -Blandisi - Noesen



2017 trades
Gromley to Ottawa for future considerations ???
Reese Scarlett to Forida for SHANE Harper ????
PAP for 6th round -Terrible
Quincey for Prout -Terrible
Kalinin to TO for LOOV -????
Fiddler for 4th round -good
Straka for 7th round ?????
Hall for Larsson -good
not great year for SHERO>>>>>>







Quincey got us a worse defensmen terrible trade.
PAP got us a 6th rounder ??? Again terrible.

Stempniak a 2nd and 4th-great trade.

Kovalchuk's ability to refuse to sign unless the Devils have a trade in place to a team he wants to go to essentially creates the same situation where a team is trying to trade a player with an extensive NTC. Might make the return on a potential sign and trade disappointing and allow teams that don't necessarily have the assets the Devils want to enter the mix.
- Victoro311

If Kovalchuk says he will only play for two teams then we should tell him to (frank) off and play in Russia for another season.

If Kovalchuk says he will only play for two teams then we should tell him to (frank) off and play in Russia for another season.
- rmdevil313

While I certainly understand why you feel that way shouldn't we wait to see how this plays out a little bit? I mean we are all speculating that Kovalchuck doesn't want to play for NJ. And if he doesn't we're speculating as to how many teams he's willing to play for.

And really, even if he only wants to play with one team this could still work out smoothly if Ray and that GM come to an agreement.

So yeah while it could become a circus it's seems a bit early for that much anger.

If Kovalchuk says he will only play for two teams then we should tell him to (frank) off and play in Russia for another season.
- rmdevil313

then he gets to come back and pick his team.

then he gets to come back and pick his team.
- tomburton99

Yes. Which is why it only makes sense to screw him (and ourselves) if he says he wants to be a Ranger.

then he gets to come back and pick his team.
- tomburton99

No, then he has to get approval from every team. I think we can all agree that going that route is highly unlikely.

No, then he has to get approval from every team. I think we can all agree that going that route is highly unlikely.
- jersey1414

Kovy can wait until next season then be a UFA, without getting approval. However, he would be a year older and teams that could really use him, most likely would want him now and with the expansion draft, teams may be willing to part with something like a dman+ to get him now.

Rico and Kovi to Montreal for Galchenyuk straightup. They gain a capaple top 6 center who if paired with a guy like Kovi could be your top line center if needed. He's only 27 and i entering his prime as we speak. Also a guy like Kovi can make an average PP elite and can allow for cushion for less capable centers(with lack of center depth having players that elevate or make player play above there ability is well needed on a montreal team). Its a win win fro everyone. in return we get a center who looks like he's built for our system and can fill that #1 role for a decade. I think Gally just needs a change of scenery. Thought guys?

Todd Cordell: Another Ilya Kovalchuk blog
- Todd.Cordell

I'd take him back in a heartbeat

I'd take him back in a heartbeat
- shvingter88

I wish my wife said that.

My wife left me, if you hadn't heard.

I wish my wife said that.

My wife left me, if you hadn't heard.
- eichiefs9

2 1sts and a 2nd for your wife

I wish my wife said that.

My wife left me, if you hadn't heard.
- eichiefs9

Congrats

I wish my wife said that.

My wife left me, if you hadn't heard.
- eichiefs9

Do you know why divorce is expensive? Because it's worth it....

Rico and Kovi to Montreal for Galchenyuk straightup. They gain a capaple top 6 center who if paired with a guy like Kovi could be your top line center if needed. He's only 27 and i entering his prime as we speak. Also a guy like Kovi can make an average PP elite and can allow for cushion for less capable centers(with lack of center depth having players that elevate or make player play above there ability is well needed on a montreal team). Its a win win fro everyone. in return we get a center who looks like he's built for our system and can fill that #1 role for a decade. I think Gally just needs a change of scenery. Thought guys?
- Krazykid

No. Henrique's and Gally's production is almost identical throwing Kovy in makes no sense. Gally is not an upgrade over Henrique, he's just younger. And Henrique seems to be more trusted at center then Gally is.

There are teams that would pay at least a 1st for Kovy. If you would like me to say my thoughts on what teams would, then I would.

then he gets to come back and pick his team.
- tomburton99

But that's what he'd be doing anyway. We shouldn't do him any favors after everything that has happened.

Congrats
- shvingter88

Have u seen her, she is named Limda

Yes. Which is why it only makes sense to screw him (and ourselves) if he says he wants to be a Ranger.
- Queenie_5_hole

The Rangers couldn't afford him. I'd gladly take him though.

No. Henrique's and Gally's production is almost identical throwing Kovy in makes no sense. Gally is not an upgrade over Henrique, he's just younger. And Henrique seems to be more trusted at center then Gally is.

There are teams that would pay at least a 1st for Kovy. If you would like me to say my thoughts on what teams would, then I would.
- Devils9503

Yeah of course. What teams do you think would give up a first for a guy like kovi? Im assuming all win now mode cup contenders lol.

But that's what he'd be doing anyway. We shouldn't do him any favors after everything that has happened.
- rmdevil313

Him "retiring" was financially beneficial for the team though. They didn't have to pay him a ton of money and have his contact on the books until he was 42.

2 1sts and a 2nd for your wife
- Tumbleweed

That's pretty steep for a grinder but apparently she can take a shot in the face pretty well & she goes deep when she needs to!

Now I'm not saying this is true, but I've read 'a' reason for him to have left the NHL was for more $. Now when all things are considered with the regressive economy in Russia (is it still that bad?), his paycheck may be a little better back in the NHL rather than if he stayed in the K?

So in consideration of that, who will trust him to fulfil any type of North American contract? What would be a good estimate of length of contract?

Not sure, but I'm thinking any GM worth his salt will be very wary of dealing with Kovalchuk & won't be handing over any substantial assets to get him to his team. Picks would be my guess & starting at 3rd round - call me crazy. As a couple have said, if he agrees to it, sign him play him then trade him at the deadline.