Caps pick up Kovalchuk for a 3rd.

TRADE

To Washington #Capitals
F Ilya Kovalchuk

To Montreal #Canadiens
2020 3rd round pick
- walleyeb1

Gotta say a good move for the Caps and I usually stay clear of Russian for the most part. I cant stand Kovy but Ovie is an actual real hockey player, he may get Kovy's best.

TRADE

To Washington #Capitals
F Ilya Kovalchuk

To Montreal #Canadiens
2020 3rd round pick
- walleyeb1

Arms race among the elites in the East. Pens got Zucker, TB got Coleman, BOS got Kase, now WSH gets Kovalchuk. Will any of them make one more move?

Stop fighting everyone. Take it offline if you have a problem with each other... just don't subject everyone else to your bickering.

Thank you.
- Tyler Cameron

But this is a hockey forum, fighting is an inherited aspect of our community. Now...

Let’s get it on!

Gotta say a good move for the Caps and I usually stay clear of Russian for the most part. I cant stand Kovy but Ovie is an actual real hockey player, he may get Kovy's best.
- kwolf68

Wolfie, I enjoy hearing about your coaching and your son's hockey fortunes. What's up with that lately?

But this is a hockey forum, fighting is an inherited aspect of our community. Now...

Let’s get it on!
- gifman

You wanna go?

I'd be shocked if Stan doesn't have something in the works for Gus. I think mothballing Gus was a move to signal to teams that "he's hot property". Saad has been in the rumor mill, but he hasn't been mothballed. I think there is something with Gus. I don't believe Saad will be moved and I am fine with that.
- kwolf68

Regarding Saad perhaps Stan is not actively shopping him or has not been blown away by the deal offered by anyone calling about him. Hence his playing the past two games. Got a feeling Saad won't be traded at the TDL.

Has Stanley waited too long?

TRADE

To Washington #Capitals
F Ilya Kovalchuk

To Montreal #Canadiens
2020 3rd round pick
- walleyeb1

I thought he’d bring back more, considering how well he’s looked in his short time with the Habs.

Wow - Russia to LA to Montreal to Washington in about 18 months.

Has Stanley waited too long?
- TJYTJY

Yup.... as usually Stan’s timing is off.

Has Stanley waited too long?
- TJYTJY

Or more accurately, has a deal that has value for Chicago not materialized.

I realize JC is an outstanding young coach, and I know nothing about hockey.

That said, he can’t continue to play Carpenter as the center between Kane & Saad. He’s an offensive black hole, but is a good 4th line center, and PKer.

On the other hand, Dach was outstanding with Kane & Saad for the 4 periods they played together.

Nylander is a waste on the 4th line. He does not have the skill set to play that role. The times he’s had success he’s been playing with other skilled forwards.

The 4 centers are Toews, Dach, Strome & Carpenter. In that order. Build the line up around them.

Nylander . Toews. Kubalik
Saad . Dach . Kane
DCat. Strome. Caggiula
Highmore. Carpenter . Kampf

One critical mission for a HC is to put his players in positions where they can succeed. JC continues to play guys in roles to which they are not suited.

#FireColliton
- scottak

Excellent critique Scott. JC was Stans project and clearly it's not working . Chicago has talented players , strome and cat seem to be struggling in their numbers as well as other guys ,

JC should realize strome is a center and serves no purpose playing wing
While carpenter is playing center to Kane

Nylander should be put on the 3rd line and left alone to grow and mature his skill and game.

If Kovalchuck gets a third Gus is not worth much.
- paulr

Gus will get a 5th and Lehner a 3rd thanks to Stan’s timing.

But this is a hockey forum, fighting is an inherited aspect of our community. Now...

Let’s get it on!
- gifman

Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here - this id the War Room....

Gus will get a 5th and Lehner a 3rd thanks to Stan’s timing.
- DarthKane

(frank)ing Stan always finds a way to screw up!

Or more accurately, has a deal that has value for Chicago not materialized.
- paulr

That's possible , but it's also possible Stan held out to long and teams weren't Willing to pay that price.

Regarding Saad perhaps Stan is not actively shopping him or has not been blown away by the deal offered by anyone calling about him. Hence his playing the past two games. Got a feeling Saad won't be traded at the TDL.
- boilermaker100

I think more teams prefer krieder over saad , from the constant articles with his name being mentioned.

That's possible , but it's also possible Stan held out to long and teams weren't Willing to pay that price.
- Taylorst1

At the TDL wouldn’t holding out till the last second making the trade partner panic increase the return?

At the TDL wouldn’t holding out till the last second making the trade partner panic increase the return?
- paulr

That's the hope . However I just think with most teams already having limited cap space , a deep draft and being more wiser in their pickups cheap low end , I'm guessing Stan waited to long to decide if he was selling or buying and any deal early on talked about has fell apart.

At the TDL wouldn’t holding out till the last second making the trade partner panic increase the return?
- paulr

Know when to fold them and when to hold them.

I think more teams prefer krieder over saad , from the constant articles with his name being mentioned.
- Taylorst1

The Rangers are on a roll lately, just a few points out of a playoff spot. They may hold on to him.

Wolfie, I enjoy hearing about your coaching and your son's hockey fortunes. What's up with that lately?
- mohel

Thanks Mo:

I have an older son and a daughter, the youngest son has huge goals, but he's so (frank)ing small. He is a first year Midget (U16) and is playing on a team that's on a bit lower level than he is used to. He is having a good year, but the team is pretty bad. His coach moves him all around from game to game he plays C, D, Wing.

Ever since squirts I thought he had the "instincts" for D, and he does. I knew it then and I know it now, but he wants to play forward. Also, his size is really a struggle down by the blue paint.

In 25 games I guess he has 40 points or so. He is actually in a bit of a slump. In his last 3 games he has no points, he has played C once and D twice. Hell, not sure he even has a shot on goal. Although 2 or 3 games ago he did win 22 of 23 faceoffs, which is completely insane. So there' that. LOL

Gus will get a 5th and Lehner a 3rd thanks to Stan’s timing.
- DarthKane

I'm wondering if the expansion draft coming up next year is playing a role in these GMs minds with over paying

The Rangers are on a roll lately, just a few points out of a playoff spot. They may hold on to him.
- boilermaker100

I heard their trying to resign him but its not going well. Maybe they bite the bullet and keep him.

At the TDL wouldn’t holding out till the last second making the trade partner panic increase the return?
- paulr

And there were more injuries last night, we'd all be saying he should have waited had he done something sooner.