Re: The NHL Thread
 

What a drama queen

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Not so sure that's the case. Sounds like if he obtains the 30 team approval he's a UFA. I think.

It's stupid complicated. Or maybe I'm just dumb.

Would the Devils even want him back? Clearly there was hurt feelings when what went down 3 years ago went down. That said, it's not like NJ couldn't use the offense.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

In those two reports Barbs linked I couldn't see why exactly they benched him and stripped his captaincy. Seems a dramatic move for a just a poor performance (seems more average performance). Has there been any more information on why this happened? If it's just a performance thing, suck it up and put your frustrations out on the ice. Show that you are worth fighting for. I have no respect for a professional, in any business, whining to get what they want.

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It's weird because it's hard to know exactly what is happening between him and his Russian team and why, but I tend to agree with you. Drama has followed him for several years now

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I fee like I saw something on some site that said he was benched initially for a rules violation, but I also saw it could be performance related on a team level and his benching is supposed to be a wake up call to the whole team. Statistically this hasnt been a particularly strong year for him.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

from one of the reports: "Earlier in the week, Kovalchuk was benched following a poor performance in Game 1 of St. Petersburg’s playoff series against Lokomotiv. The team reportedly also informed Kovalchuk he would be a scratch in Game 3 and Game 4 of the series as well. The 32-year-old led SKA to its first Gagarin Cup in 2015 and took home playoff MVP honours but his performance dipped this season. He finished 12th in league scoring (16 goals, 33 assists) but had a minus rating for the first time in his KHL career."

Taking him out of all those games during the playoffs seems big to send a message. I can see 1 game. Sounds like there's more to it than not having a strong year. He finished 12th in the league, it's not like he was at the bottom. But Russia is pretty nuts with hockey so....

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Well that is a given.

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:lol:lol

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I forget where I saw it was a rules violation. There's so many conflicting stories. And Russia really is nuts with hockey. It'll be interesting to see if anymore comes of this. I wasn't in here quite as often as I am now back when left so I don't remember how guys felt, but I remember thinking to myself this likely wasn't the absolute end of his NHL career.

One thing I do agree with: the NHL is offense starved and he's still a truly elite offensive talent, so it's not like the on ice product couldn't use a little Ilya Kovalchuk.

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Was wondering which one of you was gonna make this joke

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http://www.si.com/nhl/2015/03/24/ily...bylaw-loophole

This makes it sound like 30 votes is for UFA but he might be able to sign back with the Devils.

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Wow. Again, would the Devils want him? They could certainly use him. You're a pretty good cap guy, could they fit him?

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Well, according to this:

http://www.generalfanager.com/teams/new-jersey-devils

They could take on a total cap hit of 38mil so I'll go with yes. No matter what he signed for, it would be prorated. So he signs for $10mil and there would be 21 games left, his cap hit would be something like 2.5mil for the rest of this season. I do not want this to happen as the Devils are right there around the Wings for one of the wild card spots.

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I would be skeptical if I were the Devils front office..remember the Devils taking penalties because of Kovalchuk's contract when he signed with them? Then a few years later he ditches them for "family"? To me it just seems like a lot of potential trouble.

I put my money on him not returning to the NHL.

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As for if they'd want him, I dunno. The bad blood there with all of that has to be something. But if you can have him back down the stretch and it could mean playoffs vs not playoffs? Tough one.

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The other interesting thing I learned from this article is the K is in financial trouble. That's an important bit I think, and I wasn't aware of that. If we factor in selfish financial motivations for Ilya, now how do we feel about having him on our team?

I just don't know about this guy. I'm not sure I'd want him anywhere near mine.

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And this can't be ignored. Not by any team, not just the Devils.

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That whole situation it was like he was trying to hit up every cliche/stereotype of the selfish Russian player.

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He left the team for money before, why wouldn't he do it again?

Can you tell I don't like him? Must be the Rangers blood in me!

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con·tract
1.
a : a binding agreement between two or more persons or parties; especially : one legally enforceable
b : a business arrangement for the supply of goods or services at a fixed price <make parts on contract>

Kovy be like.........nahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Re: The NHL Thread
 

My thoughts exactly as I've been following this little saga.

He signs a mega contract with the Devils (that ends up getting them in trouble), and he skips out on it not even like halfway into it. At the time, he said it was for family and I believed him. Now? eh....

Because here he is, a few years into the KHL and threatening to come BACK to the NHL. Ha!

I remember chatting about this here when it was all going down, and we laughed at the prospect of all 30 GMs banding together just for this one time to block Kovy from coming back. :lol

But in the end, if he wants to come back eventually, there will be teams that will sign him. His drama-ness outshines just how big of an offensive weapon he is. He's big, has a wrist shot on par with Ovie's, is remarkably slick for his size, and has some of the softest mitts you'll see in hockey today. He's not the perfect player, but he'd be an asset to quite a few teams.

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Devils also have a new hockey front office since he left. So who knows?!?!

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Andrew Ladd traded back to Chicago, Jets paying over 36% of his remaining contract so no cup hit. No details yet, just saw it breaking on the NHL network.

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Dano, a 1st, and a conditional 3rd (3rd goes to the Jets if the Hawks win the Cup this year...lol ok, gladly)

I fuckin' love it. Welcome back Ladd!

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Yes!!!!!!!

That makes me happy.

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Yeah, just saw that - though CSN is reporting Dano and 2 Prospects. Nice damn move!!!!!!

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Good trade for both clubs. The Jets got more than I thought they would.

Now that Ladd has moved and established a bar, moves leading up to Monday could start coming quickly!

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Amazing deal, but a steep price that's more than worth it if you win the cup.

Are Fraser and Harrison worth anything? They are coming back with Ladd.

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Like Lebrun just said on Twitter, Arizona is probably loving this move, knowing that they can get at least a first for Boeddker

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Bow down to the king.