Since Ilya Kovalchuk went to the Montreal Canadiens and started producing at a high level again, rumors have swirled about his fate at the 2020 trade deadline. The veteran forward agreed to a league minimum $700K contract making him an inexpensive option for teams at the deadline, but just two days ago Frank Seravalli of TSN wrote that the Canadiens would only be able to get a mid-round pick for him–and his availability wasn’t even a guarantee.
Today in a column examining all of the Canadiens’ trade candidates, Eric Engels of Sportsnet reports that the Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames all have some interest in the former superstar.
You can bet Kovalchuk understands the possibility of a trade. Earlier this week he told reporters that he didn’t want to talk about a future in Montreal just yet, indicating they needed to focus on the next few weeks to try and claw back into the playoffs. With his help and some stellar goaltending from Carey Price, the team has at least raised the question of postseason contention. Montreal is 8-3 in the 11 games since the long losing streak that started in late December, moving them back within five points of the final Atlantic Division playoff spot (with three more games played than the Florida Panthers).
Still, Kovalchuk remains one of the more interesting names to watch over the next several weeks. His minuscule cap hit will be very interesting for teams pushed up against the ceiling, and Montreal may well try to get a bidding war started over a player that was available to the whole league earlier this season.
Woe be to the sad, sad team that gives up draft picks and/or prospects for 2 months of an elderly, overrated, 37-year-old Russian they could have had for the price of admission 5 months ago.
Have you watched him in Montreal? He’s been really good.
It has been just a few games. He will return to his coasting ways.
I’m a Boston fan and I would rather have Krieder than this guy
You’re paying a lot more for Kreider than Kovalchuk.
Would Montreal trade him to Boston ?
@peterdipersio06 – with the upcoming UFA and RFA w/arb situations that BOS will be facing, you’d be looking at losing two or maybe even three guys to bring Kreider in. If the B’s wait for July 1, maybe they would have decided to let Halak walk (not smart – see TOR when it comes to throwing away good backup goalies), or maybe Nordström, or even Miller. They’d probably still have to shed some $$$ for Kreider. Their cap situation is a little tough to make bigger deals happen, without sending out a big piece themselves. Only The Demon Barber knows…
Really? That needs to be said?
This year’s Habs version of Kovy:
5G + 6A = 11 pts. in 14 games (good)
Shooting %: 14.7 (a bit high, but happens with a new team)
ATOI: 19:23 (2nd- or borderline top-line minutes? May not get that on a contender)
Giveaways to Takeaways: 14 to 2 (Ooof!)
+/- = +6 (surprisingly good, considering)
Verdict: *May* be worth a low-end pick, and nothing more, simply because of age-risk and diminished mobility. (Hear that screaming? That’s Bergevin getting p’d-off at one or more of us here on PHR!)
He will get a 2nd or a 3rd, watching him play is like when he was 26 he will be a big part of a playoff run for someone! I hate the Habs but it was a good move and will get them a good pick
Could somebody overpay for him? Sure, that may happen a couple of times before the deadline, but some teams are learning that overpaying for a rental isn’t a good strategy if they feel an ELC guy in their own org can get the job done equally well.
Not many on an ELC can provide what Kovalchuk can for the playoffs
Yeah, but there might not be many GMs who believe they would get their money’s worth. It is still the hard cap era, and throwing around picks for a rental that is not a certain difference maker won’t make sense to many teams. That said, it only takes one to make the deal with Bergevin, if the Habs want to trade him.
We payed a first and 2 solid prospects last year for muzzin, he will get a 2nd or a 3rd the lists of teams interested is growing
Muzzin’s had a helluva lot more impact than Kovalchuk, though. Muzzin’s not at the end of his career, either.
Does he? Lol I watch every game muzzin plays and Kovalchuk would have a bigger influence going into the playoffs than muzzin ever will
I think we’ve beat this dead horse into the ground and have to settle with “agree to disagree”…