Johnathan Kovacevic, who was placed on waivers by the Winnipeg Jets yesterday, was claimed by the Montreal Canadiens, and many Jets fans are asking...why?
Kovacevic, 25, has been a promising, late-blooming prospect for the Jets. After registering 30 points in the AHL last year, alongside some great defensive upside, it is not an easy situation to lose the right-shot defenseman.
Spinorama Hockey and I had done our prospect rankings, and had Kovacevic ranked as the Jets 10th best prospect. As a reminder, here is what we had to say on Kovacevic:
#10 - Jonathan Kovacevic, 25, RDJonathan Kovacevic is one of the oldest players on this list. Does that give him an advantage? A disadvantage? Well, neither. The 2017 3rd round selection, who stands at 6’5…, played for quite a while in the NCAA with Merrimack College, and offensively, was incredibly consistent. In his 3 seasons, he put up 19, 17 and then 18 points, with all seasons between 31 and 36GP. Once he transitioned to the AHL, he was a bit slower to start getting the point totals, but this past season Kovacevic registered 30 points in 62 games.
On the defensive side, he is quite close to what you would expect. This biggest part of his game is his physicality around the net and in the corners. He has pretty good defensive positioning, and can be a part of the transition from all of the turnovers he causes. The late-bloomer, Kovacevic, can turn out to be quite the valuable piece to the Jets. With him having to pass waivers to play in the AHL, I would expect Kovacevic to start as the 7th defender, and make his way into the lineup.
So why was he waived?
Along the right side of the blue-line, the Jets still have Dylan DeMelo, Neal Pionk, Nate Schmidt, Dylan Samberg and Kyle Capobianco, who was signed as a UFA this summer. Now, without moving any pieces out, it was going to be hard for Kovacevic to make it ahead of any of the first three listed, but it was not an impossible task. As for Samberg, he was clearly ahead of Kovacevic on the depth chart, and I don't think anyone has any issues there. When it comes to signing and keeping Capobianco over Kovacevic, there becomes a different story.
Isolated, there is nothing wrong with signing Capobianco to a one year deal, he is a solid defenseman, who can be a teams bottom-pair or 7th defender, which is the same role many predicted Kovacevic to be in. In a situation where you have an overflow of defensemen, accounting for the youth trying to make it into the NHL lineup, you can't look at this in isolation. Capobianco will now be known in Winnipeg as the guy who was the reason Kovacevic was waived, which isn't fair, but will be the reality.
Kovacevic being removed from the depth charts isn't as much of a surprise as many are making it out to be, as Samberg of Heinola will likely be sticking with the NHL club, leaving no room for him anyway, but many are calling Kevin Cheveldayoff's asset management into question. So how could this have been played out differently?
First, don't sign Capobianco, and to be clear, that has nothing to do with Capobianco himself, but there is just no room. Second, make a trade. The Jets defense may look completely different under Rick Bowness, but regardless, with so many capable, high end, young defenders waiting for their shot, you need to make some room. Trading one of Schmidt or Dillon should have been higher on the priority list to make room for Heinola, Samberg and Kovacevic. But let's say that all of these things were impossible, and the summer had to be done the way it was, the Jets should have sent their waiver-exempt prospects down, and at least let Kovacevic show he can play in the NHL past the pre-season. There was nothing wrong with Kovacevic in the pre-season, he played fine, but even if it was just for five games before you waive him and call up Samberg back, you're in a better position than your fanbase.
Are there any positives to this?
Kind of. Montreal has a right-side consisting of David Savard and Chris Wideman, who are highly unlikely to be moved or scratched anytime soon, along with Justin Barron looking to make the team. I wouldn't be surprised if Barron isn't on the team for opening night, and Kovacevic gets the third pair spot. Barron doesn't look ready to be in the NHL full-time yet, but who knows with the Canadiens and their current situation.
If the Canadiens waive Kovacevic to send him to the AHL within the next 30 days, the Jets get first claim, and could use that to their advantage.
What are your thoughts on Kovacevic being waived? Let me know your thoughts below, and have a great night!