Kovalchuk to the Devils
by Kent Wilson on Feb 4, 2010 4:39 PM PST
117 comments
According to, well...Twitter in general. Details are coming down and should be revealed soon.
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Huh. Not surprised it wasn’t Calgary, surprised it was NJ though.
-Colin
by Colin S on Feb 4, 2010 4:42 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Aren’t the Devils deep at forward? Interesting trade nonetheless.
Hope Kotalik is traded soon!
by R O on Feb 4, 2010 4:42 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, they’re one of the deeper teams in the league.
by Kent Wilson on Feb 4, 2010 4:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
You know what? I bet NJD trades Rolston. That would be a coup, what a trade that would be for New Jersey to trade that albatross.
The bastards.
by R O on Feb 4, 2010 4:46 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
That would be a major coup. Rumors are Bergfors and Oduya are involved.
by Kent Wilson on Feb 4, 2010 4:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Bergfors eh? Rookie type, BTN all but screams “Zajac and Parise linemate” which probably makes him look good, I seem to recall he went on some sort of scoring streak a while back but his counting numbers and underliers look… alright, not great.
by R O on Feb 4, 2010 4:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Yup. He’s benfited from circumstances this year. Was never that good in the AHL.
by Kent Wilson on Feb 4, 2010 4:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Interested to see what they gave up.
-Colin
by Colin S on Feb 4, 2010 4:46 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Now Sportsnet is saying Oduya, Clarkson and a first. Hmmm.
by Robert Cleave on Feb 4, 2010 4:49 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Fighter who scored 20 last year. Kind of a Backes type.
by Kent Wilson on Feb 4, 2010 4:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah. That’s what they put up on a graphic during the Oiler pre-game. At this point, who knows, right? Clarkson is likely a better player than Bergfors if he’s healthy. As Willis noted, Bergfors never averaged a PPG in the AHL in four seasons.
by Robert Cleave on Feb 4, 2010 4:58 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m sure he’s gonna just Love playing for Lemaire.
by Parallex on Feb 4, 2010 5:00 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Of course, that there is a match made in heaven (or possibly e-harmony). I look forward to seeing Kovalchuk perform a perfectly executed trap game. :)
by Parallex on Feb 4, 2010 5:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Friedman says Oduya, Bergfors and others on his Twitter feed.
by Robert Cleave on Feb 4, 2010 5:03 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Hockey’s Future page on Nick Palmieri.
by Robert Cleave on Feb 4, 2010 5:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Yup, just saw that on McKenzie’s twitter.
by Robert Cleave on Feb 4, 2010 5:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Make up your friggin minds, boys ;-)
by Robert Cleave on Feb 4, 2010 5:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Headshots aside, is Cormier any good? I don’t follow prospects much.
by R O on Feb 4, 2010 5:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Looking at his numbers, not really. Not even PPG in the QMJHL. And he was a former 2nd rounder. Tedenby would have been better.
by Kent Wilson on Feb 4, 2010 5:19 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Where’s that TOP 4 forward Waddell was screaming for?
Not much respect for Kovalchuk but I think that team just got worse, if that was possible.
Although the writing was on the wall when they chose Kovalchuk over Hossa as the guy to pimp.
by R O on Feb 4, 2010 5:04 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
If that’s the return, he didn’t get one. Hell, he didn’t get a real top 6 guy. Maybe Bergfors gets there some day, but…
Oduya is decent value and I guess the first rounder is nice. Still, not a great return.
by Kent Wilson on Feb 4, 2010 5:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
There is no way you get better by trading your franchise player with a gun against your head.
Christ, just think back to the “Iginla for Peca” days.
You really gotta wonder if this is the death knell for the Thrashers in Atlanta though.
by Resolute on Feb 4, 2010 5:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Oh I dunno, it’s definitely a harsh blow at the moment (Longterm, if Kane can translate his junior skill to the NHL I think he’s a better face for the franchise).
by Parallex on Feb 4, 2010 5:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Also I read that Twit feed and it’s pretty funny that the choice was Oduya vs. Johnson. Waddell should have chased a forward but that particular choice is a no-brainer.
by R O on Feb 4, 2010 5:05 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I think so. LA was named, not STL, so I have to assume that’s the man.
by R O on Feb 4, 2010 5:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
NJ suddenly became a little more scary.
by SmellOfVictory on Feb 4, 2010 5:12 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
They’re a team that can properly shelter him. They are legitimately scarier. I assume Zajac and Parise will take the toughs and Langenbrunner and Kovalchuk will see the softies. Or some combination therein.
by Kent Wilson on Feb 4, 2010 5:14 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Elias practiced today for the first time since his concussion. He’s another factor in that sort of mix.
by Robert Cleave on Feb 4, 2010 5:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Good god that’s scary. They recently added Zubrus from IR.
by Kent Wilson on Feb 4, 2010 5:19 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Yup. The one guy they gave up that was useful right now was Oduya. I’d guess Lou will be shopping for a mid-level D man at the deadline.
by Robert Cleave on Feb 4, 2010 5:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Think Sutter can convince him on Sarich?
Not likely but maybe Flames could get a pick they could squander away (as per team regulations).
by brisulph on Feb 5, 2010 4:48 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Wonder how long it is before Afinogenov is out the door?
by Robert Cleave on Feb 4, 2010 5:15 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Andropov too I wonder? The cast of the “convince Ilya to stay” crew.
by Parallex on Feb 4, 2010 5:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
He’s got three more years at 4 mil a season. He might not be an easy guy to move.
by Robert Cleave on Feb 4, 2010 5:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
3.5M isn’t he? 6’6 230 25+ goals the last couple of seasons… someone would bite I think.
by Parallex on Feb 4, 2010 5:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Well, if someone is willing to trade for Kotalik, then…
by Kent Wilson on Feb 4, 2010 5:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I’d swap Kotalik for Andropov in a heartbeat.
by Parallex on Feb 4, 2010 5:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
You should be the GM then. That Kotalik move might be the end of Daz.
by jessnbrown on Feb 4, 2010 5:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Hey I said I’d do it… not that Waddel would. Just saying that Andropov is a useful player is all.
Kotalik won’t be the end of Sutz, missing the post-season might, but the Kotalik deal in and of itself won’t be the end of him.
by Parallex on Feb 4, 2010 5:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I quite like Antropov, even at his 4 million cap. Useful player and strong big guy. Pierre would love him. Net presence and that garbage.
by jessnbrown on Feb 5, 2010 9:01 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
4.062 million per season, to be precise about it.
Maybe someone does take a swing at him. I just don’t think he’s that well regarded, but that’s just my perception based on how he was looked at last year when the Leafs were trying to move him as a rental.
by Robert Cleave on Feb 4, 2010 5:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
He’s good, just delicate. I do believe I’ve seen him referred to as “the glass giant” by media
by SmellOfVictory on Feb 4, 2010 9:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Now confirmed: Bergfors, Oduya, Cormier and a 1st rd pick.
by M F on Feb 4, 2010 5:20 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Not much in it though. Cormier is by no means a lock to make the league. Bergfors has a limited ceiling (might be a top 6 player at some point). The first rounder will be a late one. And Oduya is functional defender.
by Kent Wilson on Feb 4, 2010 5:21 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
The kind of trade the kids at Hockey’s Future have wet dreams about: “Your superstar for a whole bunch of our guys, none of whom are top players or prospects.”
by Resolute on Feb 4, 2010 5:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
No guarantee that Kovalchuk signs in NJ. I wouldn’t have even given up that much.
by jessnbrown on Feb 4, 2010 5:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Two penalties as well. Quite a night. 4-3 Rags half way through the second.
by Robert Cleave on Feb 4, 2010 5:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
yeah sweet game. He’s getting PP Point action and playing at evens with DUbinsky and Cally
by Rod Blogojevich on Feb 4, 2010 5:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
On the point on the PP. Novel idea.
by Robert Cleave on Feb 4, 2010 5:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Haha was that cynical? I cant remember how he was on the Flames PP. Is playing the point a good place for Joki??
by Rod Blogojevich on Feb 4, 2010 6:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
They never used him there, and that was a place where he had some success in Florida. Anyway, whatever I may have thought of him in Calgary, I hope it all works out for him in NY, and if Torts can get him going by using him on the point, fair enough.
by Robert Cleave on Feb 4, 2010 6:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
3 Minor penalties for him tonight.
-Colin
by Colin S on Feb 4, 2010 6:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
that’s the joker we know and hate. ;)
by walkinvisible on Feb 4, 2010 6:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Also a +/- 0 with his two points.
-Colin
by Colin S on Feb 4, 2010 6:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
And the Rangers managed to blow that game, awesome. Can’t wait for post game Torts.
-Colin
by Colin S on Feb 4, 2010 6:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Watching Tortorella slowly work his way towards a heart attack is one of the highlights of this season, imo.
by Resolute on Feb 4, 2010 6:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Indeed. Everyone around the league doing Calgary favors tonight, let’s hope we do ourselves one tomorrow.
-Colin
by Colin S on Feb 4, 2010 7:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
At least he’s not in the Western Conference.
Are you geeked for Kotalik?
by CofRed on Feb 4, 2010 5:27 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Lets hope the Sens don’t pull a Laugh’s.
As for the Kovi deal the Devils definitely win this deal. They get a Top 10 NHLer for Oduya sure he might be a good defensman but nothing big, Cormier has problems, Bergfors might be the only one that becomes something big and the Draft Pick will be very late..
Are you geeked for Kotalik?
by CofRed on Feb 4, 2010 5:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
If they re-sign Kovalchuk its a win. Otherwise.. it’s close to neutral, IMO.
by jessnbrown on Feb 4, 2010 5:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
They win it this year for sure… that’s the nature of rental deals. I just wanna see how Kovalchuk will adjust to playing for a guy like Lemaire.
by Parallex on Feb 4, 2010 5:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I think if ATL got even one moderately priced real NHL forward, it’s a good trade for them.
Let me explain.
Their season looks like it’s in the shitter so they should be looking to next season. And they’ve committed to not resigning their star, so the next best way to keep the fans is to win.
How do they do this? Add one real forward now, stick with their current group, then add, say, Marleau for soft minutes and another real forward (Whitney let’s say, for his 2 year demand).
Doesn’t have to be those names but you get the picture. Roll into 10/11 with a deep squad and win for once.
This trade stinks though. Oduya’s decent and he’ll delight the local sportswriters but damn they’ve just made a competitive 10/11 season farther out of reach.
Of course it would be different if Kovalchuk was, say, Hossa instead. Then from a winning-team perspective no quantity-for-quality trade would be good for ATL.
by R O on Feb 4, 2010 5:41 PM PST via mobile reply actions 0 recs
Ansi Salmela to New Jersey as well. Never heard of the kid… not even sure where he plays, lol.
by Resolute on Feb 4, 2010 5:45 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
And the teams swap 2nd rounders – i.e.: Atlanta moves way down, New Jersey moves way up.
by Resolute on Feb 4, 2010 5:46 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Wow, devils get him relatively cheap then.
by Parallex on Feb 4, 2010 5:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
That’s actually funny. Lou traded him for Niclas Havelid last year.
by Robert Cleave on Feb 4, 2010 5:46 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Don’t worry Lou would have never made this deal if he doesn’t have a deal lined up for him.
Kovi wanted a contender and he’s got one in New Jersey.
Are you geeked for Kotalik?
by CofRed on Feb 4, 2010 5:51 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Don’t bank on that. The Devils didn’t give up anything that isn’t replaceable. He’s gunning for another Cup. The future will sort itself out.
by Resolute on Feb 4, 2010 5:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
The devils look pretty tough now (even more so). They will probably pick up a defender before the playoffs. Hey Lou ? How about Sarich???
by 44stampede on Feb 4, 2010 6:01 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Actually I forgot that Martin will be back at some point…NJ, Caps are in the east final.
by 44stampede on Feb 4, 2010 10:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
woop woop the sens beat the nucks!!!!
by Rod Blogojevich on Feb 4, 2010 7:02 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
11 in a row for the Sens. That’s absurd.
by Kent Wilson on Feb 4, 2010 7:05 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Elliot the real deal, or lucky streak?
-Colin
by Colin S on Feb 4, 2010 7:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Or a combination of both, for that matter.
-Colin
by Colin S on Feb 4, 2010 7:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
They have had luck
but they now play a full ice game, and they do it as a unit. Basically, they are a more talented version of what the Flames used to be back in the 04/06 seasons.
by brisulph on Feb 5, 2010 4:52 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Canucks couldn’t possibly have lost, they have The Best Player in Hockey™ who is both for real, and was a good bet to keep scoring at a 2 PPG pace for the rest of the season and possibly his career.
by R O on Feb 4, 2010 8:21 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Did you guys see all the offers he turned down from ATL? What exactly does he want? He says he loves the city of ATL…they maxed out his contract and he still turned it down. Simply winning? I don’t know. Flames fans…you sure you seriously wanted this guy?
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=308935
"Where do you go from here, Dion?" "I go to Toronto."
Spreading that Calgary Flames, Montreal Expos, The U, and Orlando Magic love.
by KingJafi on Feb 4, 2010 8:27 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I don’t disagree with Kent’s take.
I think he wanted out, and this was his way to force Waddell to move him. What do you think Bouwmeester did in Florida last year? He could have re-upped, and chose not to. That was his choice, and Kovalchuk’s as well. I didn’t notice JB holding the Flames up for ransom once they had his rights. I have no special insight into Kovalchuk’s mindset, but I wouldn’t blame anyone for wanting out of that messed-up organization.
by Robert Cleave on Feb 4, 2010 8:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with Kent, he’s right. I don’t think he’s greedy either. The only thing I didn’t like was Kovi making statements that he wanted to be a Thrasher for life. At least JB didn’t hold himself out that way…so there’s no bs. It was obvious he wanted out of FL. You see those type of comments really sting the fans when the guy actually peaces out. It’s devastating to them…I know first hand…Shaquille O’Neal did that to Magic when I was young…it sucks. Says he’s coming back and then dips out overnight. That was worse too cause the Magic were legitimately a contender.
I gotta hand it to Waddell though and being so straightforward, that will do a lot to at least appease some fans. I guess Kovi just wanted to be on a legit contender for once…
"Where do you go from here, Dion?" "I go to Toronto."
Spreading that Calgary Flames, Montreal Expos, The U, and Orlando Magic love.
by KingJafi on Feb 4, 2010 8:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I actually disagree that his method really stings the fans. Having him say “I love this place, I wish there was some way I could stay here” and then basically shooting down any attempt to resign him is a much better way to leave than flat out saying that he wants to be traded. Compare the fans reaction to Kovi leaving to the fans reaction to Heatley leaving, for example. I realize there are some extenuating circumstances, but in general the fans handle it better when the superstar doesn’t verbally spit in their face.
Even if he ends up signing for significantly less somewhere else (and I can pretty much guarantee he isn’t going to be worth over 10 million/yr for any team) it’ll be months from now and many of the fans will have moved on.
by Avalain on Feb 5, 2010 8:20 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Wait, so the Flames aren't getting Kovy?
I want to see Kotalik play before I judge.
"Hey, why dont you give your balls a tug you fucking pussies". - Alexandre Burrows #14
by Chuckles Canuckles on Feb 4, 2010 9:24 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Go buy a kite…and fly it…stupid tree hugging Nucklehead…
"Where do you go from here, Dion?" "I go to Toronto."
Spreading that Calgary Flames, Montreal Expos, The U, and Orlando Magic love.
by KingJafi on Feb 4, 2010 9:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Why am I tree-hugging?
"Hey, why dont you give your balls a tug you fucking pussies". - Alexandre Burrows #14
by Chuckles Canuckles on Feb 4, 2010 10:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Probably because you’re from BC, is my guess. Just like Albertans are rednecks. =D
by SmellOfVictory on Feb 4, 2010 10:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Lame.
I suggest better insults, King Jafi.
We’ll trade you Wellfed for Matt Stajan, straight up. He got a goal tonight. You know you want to.
"Hey, why dont you give your balls a tug you fucking pussies". - Alexandre Burrows #14
by Chuckles Canuckles on Feb 4, 2010 10:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
It’s your blog and all Kent, but I really don’t see why we should have to put up with retards like this. Please just ban his worthless ass.
by Resolute on Feb 5, 2010 7:03 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Something like that was bannable? That seems a little harsh considering he stayed fairly reserved with all the hostility directed towards him.
Maybe I’m just too used to the idiots that frequent the CBC boards (and trust me, we NEVER want people like that here).
by Avalain on Feb 5, 2010 8:06 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
He has been trolling for a while
This is not his first rodeo (as they say).
by brisulph on Feb 5, 2010 8:12 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, he’s never really bothered to contribute to the conversation. He was also banned by PPP recently.
by Kent Wilson on Feb 5, 2010 8:30 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
What happened to my Calvin with a Flames jersey peeing on the Canucks logo? lol. I assume it was inappropriate for the site. I just wanted to get the message across to that tool. Good looking out Kent.
"Where do you go from here, Dion?" "I go to Toronto."
Spreading that Calgary Flames, Montreal Expos, The U, and Orlando Magic love.
by KingJafi on Feb 5, 2010 9:40 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Oh well maybe the hyperlink of the picture is firewalled at my office. I haven’t checked from my laptop at home yet.
"Where do you go from here, Dion?" "I go to Toronto."
Spreading that Calgary Flames, Montreal Expos, The U, and Orlando Magic love.
by KingJafi on Feb 5, 2010 10:20 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
So far he’s done a good job of not pissing the fans off, so that’s good news
by SmellOfVictory on Feb 4, 2010 9:52 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Back to the topic at hand.
Mirtle Twittered that Kovalchuk is playing with Langenbrunner and Zubrus. Curious move, given how NJD’s forwards have been deployed. Parise and friends are probably seeing the best oppsoition (hesitant to bring QC into the picture here for a team I never watch) but also getting the most offensive opportunities.
That’s a gig tailor-made for Kovalchuk, lots of shifts starting with the puck moving north north north. There might be a big big shift here in terms of how the Devils bench is going to be run. If not, Kovalchuk might disappoint them until they learn how to properly use him.
by R O on Feb 5, 2010 10:54 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
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