Todd Cordell: Evaluating the Ilya Kovalchuk situation

Todd Cordell: Evaluating the Ilya Kovalchuk situation
- Todd.Cordell

2020 called. The Devils still suck.

I know it "feels" more like a real thing this year based on who is reporting it, but every summer we go through this and he stays in Russia, so that's my prediction.

If he comes back to the NHL, I highly doubt he wants to play on a very bad NJ team, unless he truly feels bad for deserting the team and the fans, which I doubt.

Plus everybody he would have been "loyal" to in NJ is gone. Lou, DeBoer, the only remotely significant people still in NJ from the Kovalchuck era are Henrique, Greene, and Zajac.

If he comes back to the NHL, trading his rights for solid picks and/or a d-man is probably the most productive move.

Screw Kovalchuk. Let him stay in Russia.

I know it "feels" more like a real thing this year based on who is reporting it, but every summer we go through this and he stays in Russia, so that's my prediction.

If he comes back to the NHL, I highly doubt he wants to play on a very bad NJ team, unless he truly feels bad for deserting the team and the fans, which I doubt.

Plus everybody he would have been "loyal" to in NJ is gone. Lou, DeBoer, the only remotely significant people still in NJ from the Kovalchuck era are Henrique, Greene, and Zajac.

If he comes back to the NHL, trading his rights for solid picks and/or a d-man is probably the most productive move.
- MannySilvers

I think you're slightly overvaluing what you'd get for him, unless the Devils are prepared to allow teams speak with his agent and basically let him decide where he wants to go.

Nobody is giving you a defenseman and a high pick to acquire his rights and run the risk of him saying "sorry, that's not where I want to play" and staying in Russia.

If Kovy comes back, are we stuck with his previous contract or do we get to re-negotiate with him? I've been hearing different answers from different sources

If Kovy comes back, are we stuck with his previous contract or do we get to re-negotiate with him? I've been hearing different answers from different sources
- dfrischm

New Contract

I think you're slightly overvaluing what you'd get for him, unless the Devils are prepared to allow teams speak with his agent and basically let him decide where he wants to go.

Nobody is giving you a defenseman and a high pick to acquire his rights and run the risk of him saying "sorry, that's not where I want to play" and staying in Russia.
- eichiefs9

gotta be a mythical sign and trade for kovy.

patrick sharp is the closest trade comparable i can think of.

Montreal, they seem to be the landing spot for the KHL outlaws.

If he wants to come back you have to think he has visions of a Cup run... and that isn't very likely in NJ in the coming seasons.
Trade him for highest offer and move on.

gotta be a mythical sign and trade for kovy.

patrick sharp is the closest trade comparable i can think of.
- Tumbleweed

I think that's, basically, the only way the Devils get a decent return for him. Either let 30 other teams negotiate with his agent or find out where he wants to go and do a sign-and-trade. No GM on earth is going to pony up valuable assets to run the risk of Kovalchuk blowing them off. I don't think they get a huge haul regardless, but it will be significantly better if the new team can mitigate their risk.

F**k that commie scum. We couldn't win a cup with him when the team was much better, trade him. Let him go play with that coc*suc*er Parise in Minny.

Todd Cordell: Evaluating the Ilya Kovalchuk situation
- Todd.Cordell

missing his US dollar already .....

Kovalchuk isn't making the devils contenders. Trade him and get what you can for him.

He isn't coming back to play for a non contender. trade him. sucks when russians leave for home.

I don't think there's a chance he signs with the devils unless it's a sign and trade he just won his second KHL championship he most likely wants to add a Stanley Cup before he retires and he will be trying to play for a contender so I'm calling it now sign and trade or a new KHL contract

Damn, devils fans have to put their feelings aside, its been 5 yrs now. If h says he's willing to play for NJ, go for it. This guys seems like he can still play and had 78 points in 60 games.. unless a miracle happens, you aint getting that production from henrique, palmieri, zajac, anyone on devils roster. And why would you trade him for picks and prospects seeing how poorly most of them have develop in nj. Youre getting a good player for nothing... why would you screw that up, because he hurt your feelings when he left. I get it but as soon as he scores 5 goals, i bet most of you will be back on the bandwagon. Sign this dude, wait, sign him after the expansion draft and lets kick buns. I'd go crazy if a saw another season as bad as this past one .... sign kovalchuk

The situation will all depend on if Kovy wants to win a cup or try to get the biggest, long term deal possible. Montreal would definitely want him. Vegas would probably offer him a big contract.

Not sure what his value is in terms of trade value... a conditional 2nd round pick (that turns into a 7th if he doesn't show up) and a decent prospect?

If he is up for a one year deal, I wouldn't mind him on a line with Malkin next season.

I think the best scenario for the Devils would be to sign him and move him closer to the trade deadline to get max value. That said, I'd expect Kovy to use whatever leverage he has to get the team to do what he wants and that's likely to be to play on a contender.

That said, I'd take him back if the contract isn't nuts.

For those wanting to move him should he have interest in coming back to NHL, do... propose deals...

*aims his rifle*

I think the best scenario for the Devils would be to sign him and move him closer to the trade deadline to get max value. That said, I'd expect Kovy to use whatever leverage he has to get the team to do what he wants and that's likely to be for him to play on a contender.
- Queenie_5_hole

Thats a good point. If he starts with the Devils and can put up some decent numbers, he will have a ton of value at the deadline.

2020 called. The Devils still suck.


- cheatermcgirljeans

Will still be longer since you've won too, Richard.

Thats a good point. If he starts with the Devils and can put up some decent numbers, he will have a ton of value at the deadline.
- MacPatty

He'll have more value than he has now, but trade deadline isn't typically going to get any future assets other than draft picks.

It's actually better he plays a full year for NJ.

i thought all 30 teams had to say he can come back

He shouldn't be allowed to come back in my opinion. Or if he does come back his cap hit from the old contract should still count.

#1-he will stay in russia. its tax free and he makes a lot of $$
#2-if he comes back, get what you can for him and trade him away. the assets will be worth more than a 34 year old who wanted out the 1st time. he wants to win now, at his age he wont be interested in a re build.