Todd Cordell: On Kovalchuk, a potential target on the Islanders, and more

Much rather the best package of picks then De Haan but maybe that is just me... What do you think realistically the price for Kovalchuk with be ? I thought I saw something where Islanders radio people though it would only take a 3rd... obviously I doubt that but do we need to come to the realization it won't be much more then that or is it still a first like Bobby Mac suggested.

I'd be looking at Joshua Ho-sang myself... I still think the kid's gonna be good.

Certainly wouldn't mind De Haan, though...

Ho-sang would probably come with a pick (a 3rd, 2nd if salary dump is added)... De Haan likely 1 for 1.

I'd be looking at Joshua Ho-sang myself... I still think the kid's gonna be good.

Certainly wouldn't mind De Haan, though...

Ho-sang would probably come with a pick (a 3rd, 2nd if salary dump is added)... De Haan likely 1 for 1.
- archromat

If Calvin De Hann is exposed and a good add then take are run at trading for him without involving Kovy. Maybe offer another Dman and a pick...

Also WTF with Auvitu. We get Karl Stollery shoved into the lineup like he's the next Randy Velischek and Auvitu can't rotate back in? Same with Mozik. But Dalton Prout (not on the chart) gets put in games? Toyota Tank-A-Thon Devil Style or just Defensive stupidity?

- Cptmjl

Lemme guess! I know it's a shot in the dark... but "a 2nd round pick"?

Good look with that thought.

No interest in de haan

Much rather the best package of picks then De Haan but maybe that is just me... What do you think realistically the price for Kovalchuk with be ? I thought I saw something where Islanders radio people though it would only take a 3rd... obviously I doubt that but do we need to come to the realization it won't be much more then that or is it still a first like Bobby Mac suggested.
- blizzzard

I think most people are saying 3rd or 4ths because they think it's his rights being traded

If a player/prospect is coming back it should be for a dman.

Why on earth would the Isles be looking to move Ho-Sang?

I think most people are saying 3rd or 4ths because they think it's his rights being traded
- shvingter88

If it's anything less than a 2nd, I'd tell him he's either playing in NJ or can wait another year.

Why on earth would the Isles be looking to move Ho-Sang?
- CaptCrankypants

http://thehockeywriters.c...-nj-devil-ilya-kovalchuk/

here... laugh at/flame them

I'd be very interested in De Haan. Ideally we can get someone a little younger, but I'd be very satisfied if he were the return.

On the other hand, I think it's more likely that the return for Kovy is just draft picks and maybe a prospect.

Try for Pulock

I'd be looking at Joshua Ho-sang myself... I still think the kid's gonna be good.

Certainly wouldn't mind De Haan, though...

Ho-sang would probably come with a pick (a 3rd, 2nd if salary dump is added)... De Haan likely 1 for 1.
- archromat

The time to trade for him was when he was really off the rocker a year or two ago. He's as good as untouchable now

The time to trade for him was when he was really off the rocker a year or two ago. He's as good as untouchable now
- willschulme

You're likely right... I wouldn't move him as NY's GM... still interested in him as NJ's GM

Todd Cordell: On Kovalchuk, a potential target on the Islanders, and more
- Todd.Cordell

Wasn't it just yesterday you were saying how the numbers suggest Merrill was solid? Or that the numbers justified protecting him in expansion?

If Calvin De Hann is exposed and a good add then take are run at trading for him without involving Kovy. Maybe offer another Dman and a pick...

Also WTF with Auvitu. We get Karl Stollery shoved into the lineup like he's the next Randy Velischek and Auvitu can't rotate back in? Same with Mozik. But Dalton Prout (not on the chart) gets put in games? Toyota Tank-A-Thon Devil Style or just Defensive stupidity?
- Queenie_5_hole

Frenchie is OK in small doses, but he gets exposed over time. He also got manhandled on a physical level. The fact that we're even having conversations on a daily basis about keeping/promoting guys like Merrill, Auvitu, or Moore shows how piss poor this roster is. And, on a related note, supports Todd's point of how valued a (competent) d-man like de Haan would be.

Lemme guess! I know it's a shot in the dark... but "a 2nd round pick"?

Good look with that thought.
- archromat

If the Islanders didn't trade Barzal or JHS at the deadline for Duchene they sure aren't doing it for Kovalchuk.

Take this for what it's worth, but this was from a Q&A our beat writer posted just today:

Ok I’ll do it, we need a winger. Kovalchuk is there. He “wants” to play here. Odds?

Certainly an option. The Isles talked to Alex Radulov last summer before he signed with Montreal, so they’re not averse to taking a risk like that. Obviously this would depend on the terms of a Kovalchuk deal and whatever the Devils want in a trade, since that’s the only way Kovalchuk gets to the Islanders, but if the trade cost is minor — and I could see the Isles insisting that Mikhail Grabovski’s cap hit go the other way — I would think the Isles have some interest.

Isles aren't trading NJ Ho Sang, Barzal, Pulock or any other top prospects for Kovalchuk I can guarantee you that. Maybe that prevents a deal, maybe it doesn't. I'm not professing to know what the Devils want for Kovalchuk but I am positive that the Islanders aren't trading top young players for him.

If the Devils want to improve their defensive zone play de Haan is a great option and taking back Grabovski's may be something the Isles require to make the finances work. If the Islanders are even offering CdH, I wouldn't expect them to offer much more of value on top of that.

If the Islanders didn't trade Barzal or JHS at the deadline for Duchene they sure aren't doing it for Kovalchuk.

Take this for what it's worth, but this was from a Q&A our beat writer posted just today:

Ok I’ll do it, we need a winger. Kovalchuk is there. He “wants” to play here. Odds?

Certainly an option. The Isles talked to Alex Radulov last summer before he signed with Montreal, so they’re not averse to taking a risk like that. Obviously this would depend on the terms of a Kovalchuk deal and whatever the Devils want in a trade, since that’s the only way Kovalchuk gets to the Islanders, but if the trade cost is minor — and I could see the Isles insisting that Mikhail Grabovski’s cap hit go the other way — I would think the Isles have some interest.

Isles aren't trading NJ Ho Sang, Barzal, Pulock or any other top prospects for Kovalchuk I can guarantee you that. Maybe that prevents a deal, maybe it doesn't. I'm not professing to know what the Devils want for Kovalchuk but I am positive that the Islanders aren't trading top young players for him.

If the Devils want to improve their defensive zone play de Haan is a great option and taking back Grabovski's may be something the Isles require to make the finances work. If the Islanders are even offering CdH, I wouldn't expect them to offer much more of value on top of that.
- eichiefs9

I think this is the type of trade Devils could expect and be happy with. They aren't gonna land top prospects or high draft picks. But I think they can lure a serviceable d-man from a team with expansion/protection risks.

As for Grabovski--are the Isles that close to the cap? Taking on that type of salary would definitely net the Devils a pick in return.

If the Islanders didn't trade Barzal or JHS at the deadline for Duchene they sure aren't doing it for Kovalchuk.

Take this for what it's worth, but this was from a Q&A our beat writer posted just today:

Ok I’ll do it, we need a winger. Kovalchuk is there. He “wants” to play here. Odds?

Certainly an option. The Isles talked to Alex Radulov last summer before he signed with Montreal, so they’re not averse to taking a risk like that. Obviously this would depend on the terms of a Kovalchuk deal and whatever the Devils want in a trade, since that’s the only way Kovalchuk gets to the Islanders, but if the trade cost is minor — and I could see the Isles insisting that Mikhail Grabovski’s cap hit go the other way — I would think the Isles have some interest.

Isles aren't trading NJ Ho Sang, Barzal, Pulock or any other top prospects for Kovalchuk I can guarantee you that. Maybe that prevents a deal, maybe it doesn't. I'm not professing to know what the Devils want for Kovalchuk but I am positive that the Islanders aren't trading top young players for him.

If the Devils want to improve their defensive zone play de Haan is a great option and taking back Grabovski's may be something the Isles require to make the finances work. If the Islanders are even offering CdH, I wouldn't expect them to offer much more of value on top of that.
- eichiefs9

So the Islanders are exposing a guy to the expansion draft that is worth Kovalchuck PLUS $5 Million in cap relief? And Garth Snow is still the GM?

Wasn't it just yesterday you were saying how the numbers suggest Merrill was solid? Or that the numbers justified protecting him in expansion?
- jersey1414

Corsi, scoring chances, etc. Had a poor GF% in part due to bad luck.

I think this is the type of trade Devils could expect and be happy with. They aren't gonna land top prospects or high draft picks. But I think they can lure a serviceable d-man from a team with expansion/protection risks.

As for Grabovski--are the Isles that close to the cap? Taking on that type of salary would definitely net the Devils a pick in return.
- jersey1414

Isles had no expiring contracts this year other than JF Berube and Gionta, so they're only about $2M under the upper limit of the cap (Source)

That figures to change because there is a possibility that they'll need to move a forward or two to hedge against losing them for free in the expansion draft, but they'd be wise to ditch Grabo's $5M cap hit anyway.

de Haan is coming off probably his best year to date. He's not flashy and he won't put up big offensive numbers but he is pretty damn steady in his own end. An ideal 2nd pairing defensive player. Likes to hit and blocks a ton of shots.

Any fans, of any team, that think the Devils are getting a massive haul for Kovy are only deluding themselves. de Haan would be a great get for them and probably wouldn't be moved under normal (read: non-expansion draft) circumstances.

So the Islanders are exposing a guy to the expansion draft that is worth Kovalchuck PLUS $5 Million in cap relief? And Garth Snow is still the GM?
- Queenie_5_hole

Yes, it is most definitely that black and white.

Isles had no expiring contracts this year other than JF Berube and Gionta, so they're only about $2M under the upper limit of the cap (Source)

That figures to change because there is a possibility that they'll need to move a forward or two to hedge against losing them for free in the expansion draft, but they'd be wise to ditch Grabo's $5M cap hit anyway.

de Haan is coming off probably his best year to date. He's not flashy and he won't put up big offensive numbers but he is pretty damn steady in his own end. An ideal 2nd pairing defensive player. Likes to hit and blocks a ton of shots.

Any fans, of any team, that think the Devils are getting a massive haul for Kovy are only deluding themselves. de Haan would be a great get for them and probably wouldn't be moved under normal (read: non-expansion draft) circumstances.
- eichiefs9

I'm just saying we took on Savard's contract for a 2nd rounder this year. I'd want the same haul for Grabovski. I do actually think that cap relief is a HUGE asset the Devils can offer and the ability to do so is like gold.