Todd Cordell: On Ilya Kovalchuk and the Columbus Blue Jackets

Yes Murray has been underwhelming; and this is only highlighted by the play of people drafted after him on the same team (Werenski, Jones). I guess it comes down to what other offers are out there. Agreed Murray would be a sell low, but if there is nothing better offered and he might blossom, it would still be found money....

Everybody strap and in a prepare for rollercoaster ride.

Ilya is going to try and bleed any team for all he can just like Radulov is trying to do. Whoever agrees to his excessive price will then have to deal with Ray. You'd have to expect any team looking for a 34 years old sniper to be in the win now mode so nobody is going to want to bust it up in paying the Devils their due on top of everything else.

The only way I see this working is for a team like the Ducks who are pretty loaded with real defenders but could use a little more offense. But they have to be willing to blow out their budget a bit to do it.

Not impossible but I think it's gonna get a little crazy....

I don't see how a guy moving from a solid situation to a bad situation in NJ would help him turn it around. There's a change of scenery and there's dumping a guy into a tire fire.

Todd, do you know anything about Gabriel Carlsson? Even if he's a wild-card I'd be more interested in that than someone like Murray. At least he's a few years younger. And proven and bad is not a better option than unproven.

Yes Murray has been underwhelming; and this is only highlighted by the play of people drafted after him on the same team (Werenski, Jones). I guess it comes down to what other offers are out there. Agreed Murray would be a sell low, but if there is nothing better offered and he might blossom, it would still be found money....
- redmonsters

It's not found money if it has no real value. So if we end up going that route then the Blues need to add some value with draft choices.

Todd Cordell: On Ilya Kovalchuk and the Columbus Blue Jackets
- Todd.Cordell

I agree Murray is underwhelming but I don't think the Devils are going to get a slamdunk prospect (if that even exists) in return for Kovy. It's a move like this, coupled with something else, that's more realistic.

My concern with CBJ is, like Todd said, they won't sell off any valuable pieces now. And they just sent a bunch of draft picks to LVG, including next year's in what's supposed to be a good draft class. So what do they have to offer there?

It's not found money if it has no real value. So if we end up going that route then the Blues need to add some value with draft choices.
- Queenie_5_hole

Well if we don't trade him and he comes back NEXT year he's a UFA. So that's REALLY the definition of "no value."

I don't see how a guy moving from a solid situation to a bad situation in NJ would help him turn it around. There's a change of scenery and there's dumping a guy into a tire fire.
- CaptCrankypants

If you had Scott Stevens here who could run a good defense and teach guys I'd be more inclined to gamble on Murray. But I suspect Nesreddine and his defensive system are part of the problem and that's not going to help a player improve.

If you had Scott Stevens here who could run a good defense and teach guys I'd be more inclined to gamble on Murray. But I suspect Nesreddine and his defensive system are part of the problem and that's not going to help a player improve.
- Queenie_5_hole

So, with that line of thinking....who should they bring in?

Well if we don't trade him and he comes back NEXT year he's a UFA. So that's REALLY the definition of "no value."
- jersey1414

I'm not advocating for not signing and moving Kovy (assuming he won't play for us). We absolutely need a return. It's just trading for someone else problems won't help. We need to get back a legit asset and a guy who looks like he can't play in this league ain't it.

I think Kovys value will be at its greatest if the Devils sign him to a one year deal, let him play for a Devils, hopefully he produces and then trade him at the deadline. Playoff teams will be looking for scoring which will make him a sought after commodity and thus hopefully bring a better return. That's if Kovy would agree to this.

I'm not advocating for not signing and moving Kovy (assuming he won't play for us). We absolutely need a return. It's just trading for someone else problems won't help. We need to get back a legit asset and a guy who looks like he can't play in this league ain't it.
- Queenie_5_hole

I think you're overvaluing Kovalchuk. And I'm sure other teams view him as "someone else's problems" with that "someone else" being the Devils. If they know he won't play in NJ, and the Devils lose him if he sits out a year, then they aren't going to make a huge offer. It just wouldn't make sense.

Our best case scenario HAS to involve multiple teams with legitimate interest. Otherwise it's gonna be a lowball offer and minimal return (at least early on).

I think Kovys value will be at its greatest if the Devils sign him to a one year deal, let him play for a Devils, hopefully he produces and then trade him at the deadline. Playoff teams will be looking for scoring which will make him a sought after commodity and thus hopefully bring a better return. That's if Kovy would agree to this.
- Ocean24

Don't disagree with thought process except that 1 year deal won't do it I believe because his next would then be an over 35 with the associated risks, people won't give much for a 2 month rental. You would get more for a 2-3 year deal and retain some salary and then you could get something at the deadline.

So, with that line of thinking....who should they bring in?
- jersey1414

If you mean what type of player should they bring in, an established defender like Brendan Smith as a free agent. When you look at guys like Quincey and Schlemko who aren't great defenseman they seemed to do a reasonable job and I think it's because they're past the development stage.

But throwing kids out in this environment isn't great for them. Outside of benching and moving Severson around I don't feel like we are really developing him. I have the same worries with Santini. There is just so much chasing and soft play of D. Frankly, as a Devil's fan it's an embarrassment.

Todd Cordell: On Ilya Kovalchuk and the Columbus Blue Jackets
- Todd.Cordell

If I were the Devils I'd ask for Dubois, Murray and pick(Non 1st) and then work the deal from there.

I see only one problem with Kovalchuk going to Columbus.

Will he want to play for Torts?
I don't imagine that the two of them would see eye to eye on things like work ethic or backchecking/ defensive responsibility.

If you mean what type of player should they bring in, an established defender like Brendan Smith as a free agent. When you look at guys like Quincey and Schlemko who aren't great defenseman they seemed to do a reasonable job and I think it's because they're past the development stage.

But throwing kids out in this environment isn't great for them. Outside of benching and moving Severson around I don't feel like we are really developing him. I have the same worries with Santini. There is just so much chasing and soft play of D. Frankly, as a Devil's fan it's an embarrassment.
- Queenie_5_hole

Got it, and that makes sense. I thought you meant we only bring in all-stars like they grow on trees. I agree with you that the development on the backend has been worrisome. I'm sure we'll touch on it as the season progresses but Hynes and his staff, at the very least, have to show progress with player development. Even if the results aren't there they need to show management something.

@jersey1414

Overvalue? Let me ask you, will Kovalchuk be on CBJ's 1st line? Most likely. Will Kovalchuk be on the CBJ's 1st PP unit? Most likely.

Kovalchuk would be on a vast majority of teams 1st lines throughout the NHL, so getting something like a great prospect or very good dman like a Vatanen should be the asking price for teams looking for that extra offensive boast. And if not then he waits a year to come back to the NHL.

We already lost Kovalchuk for nothing once, so why should a second time mean we should get poor value for him?

If I were the Devils I'd ask for Dubois, Murray and pick(Non 1st) and then work the deal from there.
- tomburton99

CBJ just gave two picks to LVG! I just wonder if they're willing to mortgage MORE of their future.

@jersey1414

Overvalue? Let me ask you, will Kovalchuk be on CBJ's 1st line? Most likely. Will Kovalchuk be on the CBJ's 1st PP unit? Most likely.

Kovalchuk would be on a vast majority of teams 1st lines throughout the NHL, so getting something like a great prospect or very good dman like a Vatanen should be the asking price for teams looking for that extra offensive boast. And if not then he waits a year to come back to the NHL.

We already lost Kovalchuk for nothing once, so why should a second time mean we should get poor value for him?
- Devils9503

I'm not saying Kovy isn't a world class scorer and still a top talent in the league. But our bargaining power isn't what you think it is. Put it this way...if you are Anaheim are you willing to pay Vatanen, a top 4 dman entering his prime and under team control for Kovalcuk? A guy who, if you wait a year you COULD get for free?

Sure, those types of deals make sense for us Devils fans, but other GMs aren't going to sell of pieces for a guy returning to the league at 34 years old. Again, I'm not saying he's worth nothing but unless there are two teams bidding against one another I don't see an instance where Shero cleans up in this deal.

But I REEEEAALLLY hope I'm wrong!!

CBJ just gave two picks to LVG! I just wonder if they're willing to mortgage MORE of their future.
- jersey1414

I mean if they Kovi, I feel like they kind of have to.

I'm not saying Kovy isn't a world class scorer and still a top talent in the league. But our bargaining power isn't what you think it is. Put it this way...if you are Anaheim are you willing to pay Vatanen, a top 4 dman entering his prime and under team control for Kovalcuk? A guy who, if you wait a year you COULD get for free?

Sure, those types of deals make sense for us Devils fans, but other GMs aren't going to sell of pieces for a guy returning to the league at 34 years old. Again, I'm not saying he's worth nothing but unless there are two teams bidding against one another I don't see an instance where Shero cleans up in this deal.

But I REEEEAALLLY hope I'm wrong!!
- jersey1414

Anaheim traded a 1st for Patrick Eaves. For teams that trying to win now, why wait 1 more year. Anaheim got to the Conference final and have Montour and Manson on the right side.

Anaheim traded a 1st for Patrick Eaves. For teams that trying to win now, why wait 1 more year. Anaheim got to the Conference final and have Montour and Manson on the right side.
- Devils9503

I think a pick is more likely, absolutely. Especially from a presumed contender where that pick is later in the round.

Todd Cordell: On Ilya Kovalchuk and the Columbus Blue Jackets
- Todd.Cordell

Pass on Murray

Bringing in Kovalchuk doesn't feel right to me. The "point per game" NHL player was 4 years ago - and players don't get better, or even maintain, at 34. Also, as enigmatic as he is, what's stopping him from going to back to Russia - and taking Panarin with him !!! What is the price to NJ for his rights ?? If they do sign him, no more than 2 years.
The UFA list is pretty weak. If they are looking for a wing, why not talk to Colorado about Landeskog.