Todd Cordell: On Kovalchuk and Conroy

Would miss Conroy in town. He used to live near a buddy of mine in Mackenzie and was always so open to young kids buzzing around his place. Even played some shinny from time to time.

I imagine that by the time the Devils are contenders, Kovy will not be a factor anymore. Can't see why they would care about trading him to the West. Would be great to see him play with the Flames, or any good young team, but I don't think Shero will limit his options to half the league.

I imagine that by the time the Devils are contenders, Kovy will not be a factor anymore. Can't see why they would care about trading him to the West. Would be great to see him play with the Flames, or any good young team, but I don't think Shero will limit his options to half the league.
- mgriffen

True contenders, sure. But if they get Kovalchuk for nothing, sign a UFA D (they have money to throw at Shattenkirk, for example), and use their picks/prospects to grab a D like Vatanen from a team with too many to protect, they're suddenly a playoff team.

As for trading him, I think Shero will take the best deal. He isn't an idiot. But if he likes a couple deals equally, I imagine he'll take the one from a Western team.

Gotta make a big trade for Kovy and Schneider

I don't believe the "east/west" preference matters much anymore thanks to the salary cap. There have been many big name players make the move within conferences. Kessel, Burns and Kesler to name a few. These days it is more what you get in return. Would the flames be willing to part with good young talent and picks likely needed to land Kovalchuk? Probably not, but you never no. With the aforementioned cap the space required to sign him to a contract would be hard too. The flames need to spend that money on finding a legitimate starting goalie and depth defence.

Unless you've been living under a rock over the last few days, you have probably seen reports Ilya Kovalchuk would like to return to the NHL.

I had no idea, actually, as I have been swamped with work and at first I was offended by this. Then I realized that, as an archaeologist, I am kind of always living under a rock, usually metaphorically but sometimes literally. Though this has yet to happen to me:


In the end, this statement is 100% factually correct. And no offense was taken. I like it under my rock.

As for Calgary taking him, sure it pays to look into it, but I doubt it happens. Maybe he just gets left unprotected and Vegas takes him...

I had no idea, actually, as I have been swamped with work and at first I was offended by this. Then I realized that, as an archaeologist, I am kind of always living under a rock, usually metaphorically but sometimes literally. Though this has yet to happen to me:


In the end, this statement is 100% factually correct. And no offense was taken. I like it under my rock.

As for Calgary taking him, sure it pays to look into it, but I doubt it happens. Maybe he just gets left unprotected and Vegas takes him...
- salumba

I read your other blog on Kovy, Todd, it really seems like NJ holds all the cards. If I had to bet I would say he ends up in Vegas. And if they could somehow convince Oshie to sign there they might not be that bad after-all (especially with Brouwer on the wing )

As far as Conroy is concerned I love the guy, but I prefer BT running this team. If he wants to go to Buffalo good on em. I am just worried cheap ass Ken King is gonna try to stiff BT and he's gonna walk.

I pretty much missed all the playoffs for vacation. Went to see game 4 live to try and make up for it

A big part of me wants the NHL to tell Kovalchuk to go (frank) himself, but I will admit that it would be pretty cool if we could land him.

How I hope this off season goes:

1. Extend BT already, WTF are we waiting for he has earned it
2. Expose Brouwer in the expansion draft. If he's selected, great we free up 4 million dollars to make other upgrades. If he isn't selected then hopefully it lights a fire under his ass and sends him a message that we expect our players to perform.
3. Sign Ferland and Bennett to bridge contracts.
4. Try to sign Versteeg without giving out too much in term or dollars (2x2 would be ideal).
5. Buy out Bouma (if we can't find any takers for his contract).
6. Thank Engellund for his service and let him walk (it'll be a big mistake to resign the guy).
7. Try to sign Stone as Engellund's replacement. If he's willing to sign a similar deal to Engellund's then I have no problem bringing the guy back. But he is NOT top 4 material, don't give him top 4 money.
8. Try to bring in a top 4 dman and a top 6 winger via trade or FA.
9. Let young guys compete for remaining spots on the blueline (Bart better be in (frank)ing Stockton next year).

Who knows, maybe Conroy is a really big Troy Brouwer fan and would take his contract in order to add character to the room?

That is what Vegas will do!

I had no idea, actually, as I have been swamped with work and at first I was offended by this. Then I realized that, as an archaeologist, I am kind of always living under a rock, usually metaphorically but sometimes literally. Though this has yet to happen to me:


In the end, this statement is 100% factually correct. And no offense was taken. I like it under my rock.

As for Calgary taking him, sure it pays to look into it, but I doubt it happens. Maybe he just gets left unprotected and Vegas takes him...
- salumba

I have worked with archeologists and you are a good bunch....kinda weird but good people. Sociologists on the other hand

I agree on Kovi to LV. LV could pretty much give a list of all unprotected players to NJ and say who do you want? With Jersey having so many picks they could want a few guys that are more NHL ready. Which would make for an expedited retool in Jersey and also bring in more star power to LV.

I pretty much missed all the playoffs for vacation. Went to see game 4 live to try and make up for it

A big part of me wants the NHL to tell Kovalchuk to go (frank) himself, but I will admit that it would be pretty cool if we could land him.

How I hope this off season goes:

1. Extend BT already, WTF are we waiting for he has earned it
2. Expose Brouwer in the expansion draft. If he's selected, great we free up 4 million dollars to make other upgrades. If he isn't selected then hopefully it lights a fire under his ass and sends him a message that we expect our players to perform.
3. Sign Ferland and Bennett to bridge contracts.
4. Try to sign Versteeg without giving out too much in term or dollars (2x2 would be ideal).
5. Buy out Bouma (if we can't find any takers for his contract).
6. Thank Engellund for his service and let him walk (it'll be a big mistake to resign the guy).
7. Try to sign Stone as Engellund's replacement. If he's willing to sign a similar deal to Engellund's then I have no problem bringing the guy back. But he is NOT top 4 material, don't give him top 4 money.
8. Try to bring in a top 4 dman and a top 6 winger via trade or FA.
9. Let young guys compete for remaining spots on the blueline (Bart better be in (frank)ing Stockton next year).
- Saskabush

Did Ferland not just come off a bridge contract? What about offering both 5x$3.5.
Could be smoking something thinking those guys would take that amount for that term but I think both are just coming into their game and especially Bennett will have more value than that in 3 years.

So I have not been following this years draft. Where are we picking and who do people like?

Did Ferland not just come off a bridge contract? What about offering both 5x$3.5.
Could be smoking something thinking those guys would take that amount for that term but I think both are just coming into their game and especially Bennett will have more value than that in 3 years.

So I have not been following this years draft. Where are we picking and who do people like?
- DuranDuran

I dont think Bennett would sign for 5 years at 3.5.....could be wrong. But if he did I would tell him to fire his agent

I dont think Bennett would sign for 5 years at 3.5.....could be wrong. But if he did I would tell him to fire his agent
- The-O-G

Coyle signed a 5 year 3.2 back in the day. One can dream.

Did Ferland not just come off a bridge contract? What about offering both 5x$3.5.
Could be smoking something thinking those guys would take that amount for that term but I think both are just coming into their game and especially Bennett will have more value than that in 3 years.

So I have not been following this years draft. Where are we picking and who do people like?
- DuranDuran

If they'd do it, sure I think Bennett is going to want to sign a bridge, doubt he signs anything longer than 2-3 years.

That is probably a fair contract for Ferland. I think he has proved himself, I could see the Flames going for another bridge though.

I think we pick in the 17-18 range? Don't follow super close until it's almost draft time. Cal Foote maybe? He'd probably be gone by the time we pick though. I'd like us to either use it on a dman or a big winger that can skate. Seems like you have a better chance of grabbing a stud dman late in the 1st than you do a stud forward, so I might be more in favour of picking a dman.

Not sure what happened to Brouwer. He used to be a pain in the ass to play against.

Not sure what happened to Brouwer. He used to be a pain in the ass to play against.
- waitforawhistle

Brouwer for Crawford??

Brouwer for Crawford??
- Kevin R

hmm...I'd actually consider doing that.

I'm bored and this seems like a place where bored people congregate.

True contenders, sure. But if they get Kovalchuk for nothing, sign a UFA D (they have money to throw at Shattenkirk, for example), and use their picks/prospects to grab a D like Vatanen from a team with too many to protect, they're suddenly a playoff team.

As for trading him, I think Shero will take the best deal. He isn't an idiot. But if he likes a couple deals equally, I imagine he'll take the one from a Western team.
- ToddCordellCGY

I think the most the Devils could hope for is a second round pick for his rights. Or they can hope that the team that signs Kovalchuck takes a bad contract with him. The Devils are not in a position to demand much for him.

I'm bored and this seems like a place where bored people congregate.
- bloatedmosquito

This is the drama free zone. I think in the last couple months there has been one disagreement and it was around moving Bennett.

Going to be a loooooooooooooooooooooong summer.

hmm...I'd actually consider doing that.
- Saskabush

Craw has 3 more years at 6 mil. Could be worse. Flames take on an extra 1.5 mil to get a decent tender till one of the youngens steps up.

Don't think Chicago would do it though, they can't really take on a bad contract right now.

Did not follow Chicago this year, is Craw still able to steal games?

This is the drama free zone. I think in the last couple months there has been one disagreement and it was around moving Bennett.

Going to be a loooooooooooooooooooooong summer.
- DuranDuran

Moving Bennett,
keeping Brouwer,
whether or not Elliott sucks,
if we should give Rittich more opportunity up here,
whether Versteeg will get over/under 3 mill,
whether we should fire Gulu already (in October)
Whether Jankowski should be called up and kick Bennett to the wing (lol)
Whether bennett should be a winger or center permanently
How much Backlund should get next contract
Which 1st line rw should we target
Which top four defense we should aquire

If you got Kovy dont you have to take his 15 year contract too?