I agree, pretty small return expected for a guy that (frank)ed them as bad as he did. A very late first rounder from say the Preds for a guy that sucked alot of money and draft picks out of NJ.
- winsix

There is the Lou connection, maybe he does want to come to Toronto. Lou was the one that offered him the 15 yr deal. Might be feeling this would a way to pay Lou back

There is the Lou connection, maybe he does want to come to Toronto. Lou was the one that offered him the 15 yr deal. Might be feeling this would a way to pay Lou back
- PatC80

At $6 Mil for 3-4 years plus giving up a first, doubt very much that it would be an attractive deal for Leafs. Need defense, they know it, they are trying to build a team with skill and character, Kovalchuk had lots of skill, but adding an expensive 34 yr old to Leafs does not make much sense.

At $6 Mil for 3-4 years plus giving up a first, doubt very much that it would be an attractive deal for Leafs. Need defense, they know it, they are trying to build a team with skill and character, Kovalchuk had lots of skill, but adding an expensive 34 yr old to Leafs does not make much sense.
- winsix

I would be ok with a 2 yr/$12M deal

I would be ok with a 2 yr/$12M deal
- PatC80

Unless he's going to Jagr-hop around, I can't see a player of his level not try to get his last gasp at a 5 year style deal from a desperate team.

I would be ok with a 2 yr/$12M deal
- PatC80

Plus a first rounder?

Unless he's going to Jagr-hop around, I can't see a player of his level not try to get his last gasp at a 5 year style deal from a desperate team.
- AdamFrench

Define desperate. And why would any team give a five yr deal to this guy. Loyalty not exactly his strong suit.

Ottawa getting to the conference finals really points out the flaws with the NHL playoff seeding/brackets. Its awful that the Caps/Pens are playing each other in round two.

Ottawa has clearly benefited from a weaker bracket for no reason.

They should adopt 1-8 based on points with the all of the division winners getting a playoff spot.
- Archaic

And then next year, when a couple of teams in a weaker division have artificially high numbers from playing weaker teams in their division, people will complain.

Quit trying to make a perfect system.

Every year, there will be anomalies. Just enjoy the hockey.

Ex leafs loving the fact that they got traded out of Toronto.
Facking rangers!

So I guess everyone on the Jays team has to get injured this season.
- Fakepartofme

I didn't mind seeing the Sens knock off the Rangers (except for the play by play guy who was (frank)ing abysmal)

The Sens window is now. They have Chabot coming up, and a bunch of guys who are over-achieving right now and aren't likely to improve.

Cheering for the Caps tonight... Especially hoping that Chris Neil jumps Tom Wilson, and rips his helmet off... right before Wilson caves his face in.

Define desperate. And why would any team give a five yr deal to this guy. Loyalty not exactly his strong suit.
- winsix

Beatle John at his high school prom.










That's assuming he graduated from high school. A big assumption.

Define desperate. And why would any team give a five yr deal to this guy. Loyalty not exactly his strong suit.
- winsix

He was pretty loyal to Hotlanta and SKA.

Florida seems like a good fit.

I didn't mind seeing the Sens knock off the Rangers (except for the play by play guy who was (frank)ing abysmal)

The Sens window is now. They have Chabot, and a bunch of guys who are over-achieving right now and aren't likely to improve.

Cheering for the Caps tonight... Especially hoping that Chris Neil jumps Tom Wilson, and rips his helmet off... right before Wilson caves his face in.
- Aetherial

I hate the Caps.

I hate Ovi.

I love Crosby.

I love Phil.

Go Pens go.

I didn't mind seeing the Sens knock off the Rangers (except for the play by play guy who was (frank)ing abysmal)

The Sens window is now. They have Chabot, and a bunch of guys who are over-achieving right now and aren't likely to improve.

Cheering for the Caps tonight... Especially hoping that Chris Neil jumps Tom Wilson, and rips his helmet off... right before Wilson caves his face in.
- Aetherial

Neil would have to play over his usual 1 minute to do so.

I agree, pretty small return expected for a guy that (frank)ed them as bad as he did. A very late first rounder from say the Preds for a guy that sucked alot of money and draft picks out of NJ.
- winsix

Also to take into account if there is only a handful of teams that can 1. afford his expected contract and 2. are in a spot to contend it leaves so few teams their might not be much of a bidding war, heck might end up only getting a second for his rights.

Bob McKenzie said yesterday on TSN radio that Kovalchuk will not be coming back to NJ. It will definitely be a sign and trade. He thinks a 2018 first rounder will be the price. He also thinks Kovalchuk will get a 3 or 4 year deal around 6 million per.
- Matthews_Auston

Wow, so you give up a first rounder to sign a 34 year old to a 3 or 4 year deal when you have no idea what he is capable of at this stage of his career.

Pass.

I am guessing that the price *may* be a late first from a contending team (like St. Louis, Chicago, San Jose...) but the contract term will be 1 or 2 years and not more than 5.

He was pretty loyal to Hotlanta and SKA.

Florida seems like a good fit.
- AdamFrench

I always wondered if guys like this would be better off signing one-year deals with really bad teams.

Take a one year deal for a boatload of money, under the understanding that the team that signs you will be auctioning you off to the highest bidder at the trade deadline.

It means that every year, you'll be playing for a contender.

Bad teams will be willing to pay you top dollar, because they know they will be getting picks and prospects back in return, and hey, it's only for 2/3rds of a year.

Only downside is no guaranteed contract, but I'm assuming Kovalchuk doesn't need much money these days.

Michalek, Laich and Greening were all burried in the minors, for Laich that means that out of his $3.55 Million salary, $1 Million exemption for being in AHL and the other $2.55 counted against the cap, for Michalek of the $3.05 Million, $2.05 counted against the cap and Greening of the $1.7 Million, $0.7 million counted. Thankfully they are all free to a good home now, no more financial punishment to the Leafs.
- winsix

Sens get to enjoy the punishment now. They can pretend this was a great trade for them but anyone who watched the games knows Phaneuf sucks and is only getting worse. The only bright spot is that they aren't a cap team anyway so that contract hurs them far less than it would us.

Ottawa getting to the conference finals really points out the flaws with the NHL playoff seeding/brackets. Its awful that the Caps/Pens are playing each other in round two.

Ottawa has clearly benefited from a weaker bracket for no reason.

They should adopt 1-8 based on points with the all of the division winners getting a playoff spot.
- Archaic

It was easy to see this coming and many people pointed it out.

I think Montreal would have beaten Ottawa in 4, maybe 5... but they can't get by the Rangers in the playoffs.

Full measure to the Ottawa team for gutting it out, every game, but everything lined up perfectly for them to get to where they are now the two best teams are beating each other up so Ottawa gets yet another break.

Unless he's going to Jagr-hop around, I can't see a player of his level not try to get his last gasp at a 5 year style deal from a desperate team.
- AdamFrench

I don't see any team being ok with a 5 yr deal

Sens get to enjoy the punishment now. They can pretend this was a great trade for them but anyone who watched the games knows Phaneuf sucks and is only getting worse. The only bright spot is that they aren't a cap team anyway so that contract hurs them far less than it would us.
- Aetherial

Whoa lets pump the breaks, he did go down easily out there on that "trip" and drew a penalty - intangibles baby!

I hate the Caps.

I hate Ovi.

I love Crosby.

I love Phil.

Go Pens go.
- Atomic Wedgie

Funny enough, I agree with all of this.

but I am cheering for the Caps. I like that they have come back in this series and wouldn't mind seeing them win a cup.

Whoa lets pump the breaks, he did go down easily out there on that "trip" and drew a penalty - intangibles baby!
- BKups

He was horrible

Plus a first rounder?
- winsix

why would it cost a first rounder.?. If Toronto is the only team he would go to? I would say a 2nd rd pick..


Oh and I am going on the premise that Kovalchuk is only interested in Toronto.. Which is a complete fabrication

I didn't mind seeing the Sens knock off the Rangers (except for the play by play guy who was (frank)ing abysmal)

The Sens window is now. They have Chabot, and a bunch of guys who are over-achieving right now and aren't likely to improve.

Cheering for the Caps tonight... Especially hoping that Chris Neil jumps Tom Wilson, and rips his helmet off... right before Wilson caves his face in.
- Aetherial

Agreed. Hard to imagine Sens winning another round. Hope to see Ovechkin get railroaded tonight. Neil is a sh!t, not worth getting your shoes dirty with a 2 minute a game guy. The gooning of Crosby has been especially effective the past two games, hopefully Pens can figure out an effective counter measure in game seven.

Bob McKenzie said yesterday on TSN radio that Kovalchuk will not be coming back to NJ. It will definitely be a sign and trade. He thinks a 2018 first rounder will be the price. He also thinks Kovalchuk will get a 3 or 4 year deal around 6 million per.
- Matthews_Auston

Horrible trade and a horrible contract if that is true.
Glad the leafs wont be involved in that.

It was easy to see this coming and many people pointed it out.

I think Montreal would have beaten Ottawa in 4, maybe 5... but they can't get by the Rangers in the playoffs.

Full measure to the Ottawa team for gutting it out, every game, but everything lined up perfectly for them to get to where they are now the two best teams are beating each other up so Ottawa gets yet another break.
- Aetherial

It's risky to hope that they make it through the ECF to the Stanley Cup finals, and then lose in the cup final.... but seeing the heartbreak of losing a cup final would maximize my schadenfreude.