Roger Mussa: Kovalchuk - F@&$% No!

I dunno why he would want to rejoin the devils but I doubt it's about money. He can go back to Russia and earn more if that is the case. And like you said, he wouldn't be joining the devils in order to try to win a cup so who knows what the actual reason is.

I thought Kovy was a great Devil on the ice. He tried to be a two way player and was always willing to stick up for teammates. I didn't even hate him for the retirement thing which was probably more of a benefit to the team then had he stayed.

That said, Kovy did not seem interested in doing the right thing to get back into the league when the Devils still owned his rights. He could have resigned with NJ and waited to be traded; but he wanted to control the entire process and it ultimately led to him waiting so that NJ got nothing out of the deal. He has always been a selfish person.

He's pretty done at 37 and doesn't fit this team at all. No way we should do it. That said, I loved Gomez when he came back (very different circumstances but still) and things are never boring with Kovy; so if it happens it'll just be another HOLY 2020 WTF moment.

Kovy is really only valuable to cap-strapped playoff bound teams. No offense Devil fans, but you guys aren't sniffing the playoffs just yet. Seems like a useless signing unless you're just trying to fill a roster spot.

It came from Ek. So, outside of clickbait its worthless news.

Ek is fake news. If you follow him for just one week, you realize he makes up stories as clickbait. This is no different. We sacrificed a years worth of draft picks when that front loaded contract was inked, and he still ditched the team for the KHL. No chance he returns, and I doubt he can maintain a top 6 role with any club next season. I'd rather focus our energy on the young talent that is trending up.

Players like Kovy should just retire. Leave room for new players and team development. His best years are behind him. By the time the next season starts and things get going he will show how little he has left. Put the money in younger guys and give them the ice time. He made his money already.
I doubt he has real leadership skills or any mentoring talents. Walk away.

Players like Kovy should just retire. Leave room for new players and team development. His best years are behind him. By the time the next season starts and things get going he will show how little he has left. Put the money in younger guys and give them the ice time. He made his money already.
I doubt he has real leadership skills or any mentoring talents. Walk away.
- Hipcheckforthewin

He actually still had decent production this year. For a player that will cost around $1M you can bet anything that contending teams with a cap crunch can use him. Pens, Vegas, Caps, Habs, Leafs, B's, etc...

Roger Mussa: Kovalchuk - F@&$% No!
- Devils Advocate

Someone please explain how Lou won the top GM award. He maxed out his cap, signing an already veteran roster to long term extensions while not committing a cent to his top 2 players who are now RFA's. Aside from bringing in Trotz, he failed miserably in my opinion. I love what Lou did for our Devs, but Fitz/Shero absolutely killed it this past season as sellers. I wish GM's could be recognized for making smart moves that benefit their future, rather than being a mediocre team that exceeded expectations. I do not like the Isles future going forward from this playoff.

Maybe they are considering short term options for a veteran/sniper to replace Palmieri if they end up getting an offer for him they can't say no to?
Probably fake news anyways

He actually still had decent production this year. For a player that will cost around $1M you can bet anything that contending teams with a cap crunch can use him. Pens, Vegas, Caps, Habs, Leafs, B's, etc...
- Rinosaur

He's still good on the PP, but he is not a good 200' player any longer, and he is certainly not getting younger. Pass

Kovy is really only valuable to cap-strapped playoff bound teams. No offense Devil fans, but you guys aren't sniffing the playoffs just yet. Seems like a useless signing unless you're just trying to fill a roster spot.
- Rinosaur

Appreciate you said 'no offense', but trust me, we are aware....

Roger Mussa: Kovalchuk - F@&$% No!
- Devils Advocate

Ek should of added the Atlanta Trasher's to that list, how dare Kovalchuk ignore the team that gave him his start....

I thought Kovy was a great Devil on the ice. He tried to be a two way player and was always willing to stick up for teammates. I didn't even hate him for the retirement thing which was probably more of a benefit to the team then had he stayed.

- Queenie_5_hole

Yes, he provided a lot on the ice and became a better ally round player in NJ

I can appreciate the fact that compared to 2013 a lot has changed. As Roger noted, almost an entirely different roster, different management, owners, you name it. One thing that is the same, is the fans.

Safe to say, Kovy was my favorite player in the league before he came to the devils just for the pure excitement factor. Used to always draft him in the video games and had an absolute man crush on him when he came to the devils. It felt like something that could simply never happen. To have it all go down how it did, and likely to our benefit in the long run, what really sucked was when he came back and didn't even let us get a pick or a prospect outta him or simply play for a bit. I mean, so be it he can do what he wants and I can respect that, but that was the final blow for me.

I just don't see how a large percentage of our fan base would get over it, especially since team success isn't likely next season.

How is he not playing for the devils? I thought his contract with them didn’t have an expiration date.

Hes 37. He is not looking for a contender. Remember he signed with LA .

He adds size and some skill but does not fir on the plans of the NJD , we are fast -he is not .
ONly reason to consider is we need size to offset

Hughes , Smith , Bratt and possibly Rossi . Ill take a Maroon type anyday .... but after winning the last 2 cups ( possibly ) he will be untouchable .

Lucky for you guys, Ek gets his rumors in his alphabet soup.

Kovalchuk screwed NJ. Unfortunately that happens around the league on an annual basis (not in such a dramatic fashion). Beloved players run from a team that developed them for more money and teams trade players who want to retire with the team they started with. Sometimes a return is favorable and you win a cup again (Claude Lemieux).

I would be open to a Kovalchuk return if the stars aligned properly but they didn't. He is way past his prime and this is a team that needs to be built around youth and a 3 year plan (maybe 5 year). We are not winning the cup anytime soon. The playoffs would be a fluke and we are probably better off missing one more year to get another high pick.

If we want veteran leadership we have Zajac, Palmeri and as much as he may be overpaid Subban. We could also bring Greene back (as a third pairing/PK) if we need leadership.

It is time for Hischier to step up into a leadership roll and grab the torch.

At this point I'd rather have Parise and that terrible contract over kovalchuk.

Hell No !

My thought is if believe anything Ek says, you have major issues.

Please No!!! Koval Baby brings nothing to the table. Im sure there are a lot of 37 year old vets out there that would not bring the baggage Kovalbaby does. Im not sure I want Kovalbaby influencing Gusev on how to do business in the NHL.

Hard pass on Kovy. For so many reasons.

it won't happen. i'll believe it when i see it.