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.
- MABster

So you didn't watch kovy play for New Jersey, he was a completely different player from his thrasher days.

So you didn't watch kovy play for New Jersey, he was a completely different player from his thrasher days.
- shvingter88

He gets a bad rap but for those years and probably the Russian stererotype that he only cares about himself. But he's definitely a team-first guy.

I think a pick is more likely, absolutely. Especially from a presumed contender where that pick is later in the round.
- jersey1414

Yes, but the Devils can not wait three years to see what this kid does, they need one now.

Also, Rick Nash's contract ends next year. I don't see CBJ beating the NYR and getting Kovalchuk.

He gets a bad rap but for those years and probably the Russian stererotype that he only cares about himself. But he's definitely a team-first guy.
- jersey1414

Once he changed his game in New Jersey he became one of my all time favs

The dude was a wrecking machine

Yes, but the Devils can not wait three years to see what this kid does, they need one now.

Also, Rick Nash's contract ends next year. I don't see CBJ beating the NYR and getting Kovalchuk.
- Devils9503

I just have a hard time believing the devils would do business with the Rangers on this type of deal. History has shown us it doesn't happen.

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

The Ducks are pretty deep in defenders so trading some D for O makes sense if it's Vats or someone else. If you wait for Kovy to be a free agent you need to compete with every other GM for his services and then you're signing him to a 35+ contract which is less desirable.

There is no point in arguing what his value is. We will find out soon enough...

Elsewhere on this site it's rumored Columbus, Buffalo and LA are interested in Kovy. I'll bet there are even more teams interested. And I'd guess it's possible if nothing happens Kovy will play for NJ and take a chance on getting traded at the deadline.

Wow, Friedman reporting : , Connor McDavid is likely to sign an eight-year extension worth more than $13 million per season. That is insane. They will price themselves out of contention. Still have Draisaitl to sign.

Wow, Friedman reporting : , Connor McDavid is likely to sign an eight-year extension worth more than $13 million per season. That is insane. They will price themselves out of contention. Still have Draisaitl to sign.
- redmonsters

I hope he's right

Need to find a team that is looking to dump salary; i.e. TB (Callahan) or LA (Gaborik). Devils take on bad contract and team gets top scorer. Putting these two things together should get Devils a better return.

Shero's off-season plan will be, sign bonino and trade for maatta. Possibly go after vrbata.

Shero's off-season plan will be, sign bonino and trade for maatta. Possibly go after vrbata.
- shvingter88

I would hate all of that. Vrbata wasn't even able to be traded at the deadline.

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

id rather the cbj stay away from Kovalchuck , before management talks about winning a stanley cup , they should look to see if bob can get them past round one .....

No interest in Murray whatsoever. I'd want the guy who just had the hip surgery before Murray (Nutivaara). I don't want either of them that much.

If they don't one-for-one for Johnson, just pluck two prospects and a pick from them and call it a day. Dubois had a real disappointing year for them, but I don't think they're going to sell low on him. So you take Milano, Nutivaara, and a 2nd in 2018, and call it a day.

As for the guy saying "he's worth nothing if he waits in Russia for a year"... a year in NHL time is like a decade for a team looking to win now. Teams don't get this window very often. I bet you CBJ is looking to get Radulov or maybe Duchene but after those fall through, they're looking at Kovy.

I also have my doubts Kovy ends up in Columbus. I'm still looking at Montreal. We'll see in three or four days, though...

By the way, I'm happy now that this is the APPROPRIATE time to talk about Kovy... when the expansion and entry drafts are done

I just have a hard time believing the devils would do business with the Rangers on this type of deal. History has shown us it doesn't happen.
- jersey1414

What? Kovalchuk can sign anywhere next season, without the Devils approval.

Also, the Devils can do something that signing Kovalchuk next season can't be done and that is retain up to 50% cap, which if we look at ANA would be Vatanen,a 1st, and one of Ritchie/Steel for retaining 50%.

Shatty
https://www.fanragsports....ably-bid-ufa-shattenkirk/

If we do a deal with CLB for Kovy, I think Hartnell would have to be 1 piece that's included in our return. Not because I want him but CLB needs to get rid of his salary so they can fit Kovy in. Unless we retain some of Kovy's salary. Either way that should increase the return as we'd be helping them out cap-wise and they'd be getting a top 6 winger.

Shatty
https://www.fanragsports....ably-bid-ufa-shattenkirk/
- CaptCrankypants

I don't want Shattenkirk, but if we do sign him, anything more than 6 million/yr will make me absolutely sick.

I just have a hard time believing the devils would do business with the Rangers on this type of deal. History has shown us it doesn't happen.
- jersey1414

It won't happen. That would be a huge PR disaster for the Devils, and as much as we can sit here and say "well that doesn't impact the hockey operations side of things" I don't think that's entirely true. Baring the Devils absolutely fleecing the Rangers, it would be impossible to sell trading Kovy to the Rangers to Devils fans.

Even if the alternative is Kovy signs there as a free agent next year, at least in that scenario Kovy is the bad guy ala Scott Gomez, but if Ray trades Kovy to the Rangers for some mid-round picks/average prospects, it'll make the backlash from the new jerseys last week look like nothing.

I know this isn't a great, practical way of looking at things, but if 1) Kovy refuses to play for the Devils and 2) the Devils can't get anything more than a couple mid-round picks/mediocre prospects for him, I'd tell him to f-off and he can sign a 35+ contract (when for multiple reasons his value will be lower) as a UFA next year. Again, I understand that's not a great practical way to run a team (if you can get a free 4th round pick then why not), but as a fan to me there is value to not going out of our way to help Kovy out unless it really benefits us. Especially if we're trading him within the division.

It won't happen. That would be a huge PR disaster for the Devils, and as much as we can sit here and say "well that doesn't impact the hockey operations side of things" I don't think that's entirely true. Baring the Devils absolutely fleecing the Rangers, it would be impossible to sell trading Kovy to the Rangers to Devils fans.
- MannySilvers

If Ray traded Kovy to the Rangers and god forbid they won the Stanley Cup there would be absolute mutiny and mayhem among the Devils faithful. And I think it would really damage the fanbase which is already enduring years of mediocrity.

Not to mention I can't even believe the Rangers have anything to trade that we want that badly. Just can't see it happening.

Get him on Washington with Ovi, in Montreal with Radulov or out west with the Ducks or Kings. There are 29 other hockey towns we'd rather trade him to.

I don't want Shattenkirk, but if we do sign him, anything more than 6 million/yr will make me absolutely sick.
- mcjags

It'll be 7 years 7.5 million per. I'm ok with that.

It'll be 7 years 7.5 million per. I'm ok with that.
- CaptCrankypants

I am too if we can trade him. But if it's a no trade or no movement clause and we're married for that long I don't like it. Might still do it....

It'll be 7 years 7.5 million per. I'm ok with that.
- CaptCrankypants

You have to think we would have to overpay him in order to land him. The market, and more importantly the team, just isn't that appealing right now.

It'll be 7 years 7.5 million per. I'm ok with that.
- CaptCrankypants

At that term/price, yeah he would look great as a Ranger (enjoy watching the decline). no way should Devils touch that.

It'll be 7 years 7.5 million per. I'm ok with that.
- CaptCrankypants

No

Shat will be at least $7 mil for 6-8 years. I want it done. He is far and away better than any D man on our roster and is ready to assume a big role immediately. We have the money right now, why not? A shut down D man would be required also, but there aren't any worth going after at the moment. Maybe trade for one, but otherwise Shattenkirk is the target and should be.