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Rambo2305
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
546 Posts |
 Posted - 06/15/2010 : 06:04:28
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Seeing as Ilya Kovalchuk will be one, if not the most sought after free agents this off season, lets take a moment and focus on him.
Where will he go? Will he realize he's not worth $10 M, or is he? What do you think?
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Rambo2305
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
546 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2010 : 06:09:32
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So....I say he's not worth $10 M / year...maybe $8 at the most. He's amazing offensively when you keep feeding him the puck. Other then that, he's just another sniper.
He's well under par defensively, and for them money he wants, better realize theres two ends of the ice. However, he'll do the smart thing and sign with a team that would allow him to be the clear cut #1 guy, and also allow him to do his own thing. So we can probably rule out any of the contending teams simply because their systems work already without a puck hogging...i mean handling drifter.
Also, look for him to go somewhere with more of his country men from Russia (Not named Ovechkin or Malkin)... |
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whereismykovalchuk
Top Prospect
Canada
19 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2010 : 09:34:43
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Well Rambo, Kovalchuk, at only 27, is worth 10 million a year for the next 4 or five years, Briere makes 7, gomez makes 7 kovalchuk is miles better than both of them, Offensively only Malkin and Ovechkin are in his league in terms of talent. He is underrated defensively because at the very least he backs off the defense making the pressure less on the defense and other forwards. and puck hogging? did you really watch very many of his games he was usually the only one up on the rush. he will get a contract in line with that of alex ovechkin. he is one of the most exciting players in the league. period.
He will hopefully come back to atlanta but realistically i feel russia is the most likely option followed by a team like LA who is a gambreaking player away from serious contention, maybe atlanta will offer him the contract offer they had before they traded him. wouldnt that be nice to see
bring back the franchise player or the team will leave like the last one |
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n/a
deleted
4809 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2010 : 09:38:02
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Word is New Jersey is after Kaberle, so I would think that they might not re-sign Kovalchuk . . . but who knows, lately New Jersey has been all over the map in terms of personnel acquisitions. I can't see them fitting in Kovie because of salary, even if it goes down to 7 or 8 million . . .
I would look at teams like San Jose that might miss out on re-signing key players . . . if they don't keep Marleau, Kovalchuk could be headed there. If the Rangers have cap space available (or if they can get rid of Gomez in a trade) then that might be the place. Those are my two guesses.
But oddly enough, it seems very silent in terms of where Kovalchuk might sign.
"Take off, eh?" - Bob and Doug |
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Guest2115
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Posted - 06/15/2010 : 10:24:40
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quote:
Originally posted by slozo
Word is New Jersey is after Kaberle, so I would think that they might not re-sign Kovalchuk . . . but who knows, lately New Jersey has been all over the map in terms of personnel acquisitions. I can't see them fitting in Kovie because of salary, even if it goes down to 7 or 8 million . . .
I would look at teams like San Jose that might miss out on re-signing key players . . . if they don't keep Marleau, Kovalchuk could be headed there. If the Rangers have cap space available (or if they can get rid of Gomez in a trade) then that might be the place. Those are my two guesses.
But oddly enough, it seems very silent in terms of where Kovalchuk might sign.
"Take off, eh?" - Bob and Doug
Gomez plays for MTL they did get rid of him,,,,, did you mean redden? |
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Deaner
Rookie
Canada
107 Posts |
Posted - 06/16/2010 : 16:21:41
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| i would love to see kovalchuk wearing a leafs jersey. im thinking he won't be in the nhl but if he is then im going with LA. |
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bounty2k3
Top Prospect
Canada
33 Posts |
Posted - 06/17/2010 : 11:13:25
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I have said for a long time now. He is not worth the money he is asking for. A great player indeed, but still only worth the 7-8 million a year range. I see him going back to Russia to play for the reported $20 million a year contract that I heard he was offered. I don't think he will realize what he is worth in the NHL and he is not interested in winning the Stanley Cup. As most Russian players, he is only interested in the money. I can see Malkin leaving as well and going back to Russia when his contract is up.
GO HAWKS GO!!! |
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Rambo2305
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
546 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2010 : 06:53:15
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quote:
Originally posted by bounty2k3
I have said for a long time now. He is not worth the money he is asking for. A great player indeed, but still only worth the 7-8 million a year range. I see him going back to Russia to play for the reported $20 million a year contract that I heard he was offered. I don't think he will realize what he is worth in the NHL and he is not interested in winning the Stanley Cup. As most Russian players, he is only interested in the money. I can see Malkin leaving as well and going back to Russia when his contract is up.
GO HAWKS GO!!!
$20 M...bahahaaha...he's so signing with whatever team offered that lol
He doesn't know how to play D, evident with his play in NJ. Well, he had a good run in the NHL :)
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ReyR
Top Prospect
13 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2010 : 12:28:40
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quote:
Originally posted by Rambo2305
quote:
Originally posted by bounty2k3
I have said for a long time now. He is not worth the money he is asking for. A great player indeed, but still only worth the 7-8 million a year range. I see him going back to Russia to play for the reported $20 million a year contract that I heard he was offered. I don't think he will realize what he is worth in the NHL and he is not interested in winning the Stanley Cup. As most Russian players, he is only interested in the money. I can see Malkin leaving as well and going back to Russia when his contract is up.
GO HAWKS GO!!!
$20 M...bahahaaha...he's so signing with whatever team offered that lol
He doesn't know how to play D, evident with his play in NJ. Well, he had a good run in the NHL :)
I agree, for $20M of tax free money, I doubt there would be very few people willing to stay in the NHL. Kovalchuk is still young enough though to come back after a few years in the KHL as well, so he could go over, make his money and then come back.
I would not blame him at all if that happened. |
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Deaner
Rookie
Canada
107 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2010 : 13:42:25
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| Yea i wouldnt blame him for taking 20 mill a year.....too bad working at a grocery store don't pay up like that lol |
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leafsfan_101
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
1530 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2010 : 14:32:53
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Players in Russia don't wake up in the morning, go to their local hockey rink, and dream about playing for AK Bars Kazan. Ok, maybe some do, but I am betting that most dream about a life in the NHL, which is why most good talent from Russia defects and tries to make it in the NHL.
What is the difference between 10 mil and 20 mil to Kovalchuk. He is already loaded, so it's not like he needs an extra 10 mil. Sure, it's nice, but to a millionaire like him that 20 mil probably wont be a decidng factor. The quality of league play will, as well as leaving a longer lasting legacy. If Kovy leaves, he is just another forgotten name here in North America, the hockey Mecca of the world.
I doubt Kovalchuk will leave to go back to Russia. My best bet is that he stays in the NHL. |
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irvine
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
1315 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2010 : 15:57:22
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What's another $10M per year? (tax-free, at that)?
A lot.
We're not talking about him
A) Making $10M in the NHL
or
B) Making $12-13 in the KHL.
That, isn't a huge difference. But, for a Russian born player to go back to his home Country and earn $20M per season, $10-13 million more (and tax free at that), than he'd earn in the NHL...
why not?
Sure, growing up he likely dreamed of playing in the NHL. And, he has. He has played well there too.
He has realized his dream, except for (likely) the Cup.
$10 Million is a huge difference, very huge. To any player.
He plays in Russia for a couple of season, secures he and his families future even more. Returns to the NHL, and continues his 'dream'.
However, I'm unsure how real this $20M per year offer is. If it has happened, I truly see him accepting it. In fact, I see about 95% of NHL players taking it. Even more so, those Russian speaking.
Irvine/prez. |
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Where will Kovalchuk go? 
