Why Passing on Kovalchuk Was the Right Move
February 4th, 2010 by puremetal33In the past several days, the situation surrounding (by the time you read this he’ll be forrmer) Thrashers’ winger Ilya Kovalchuk has gotten heated. Elliot Friedman of Hockey Night in Canada said earlier today that he felt the Kings were out of the Kovalchuk race due to asking price. Atlanta GM Don Waddell was rumored to be looking for 2-3 roster players, plus a prospect or high draft pick. When you further consider that Waddell was unwilling to allow teams to negotiate a potential contract extension, that asking price seems more than a little steep. Then, today TSN reported that Kovalchuk turned down a 12 year, $101 Million contract offer to remain in Atlanta.
Based on what it would’ve cost to land the sniper in Los Angeles, and on top of that, what it would cost to keep him there, it’s clear to me that Dean Lombardi made the right decision by taking a pass on Kovalchuk. My reasoning is as follows:
1. The Kings are a playoff team right now, as it stands. To give up 2-3 roster players and a first round pick would be to risk putting a chink in the armor of what has been a successful team this season.
2. Kovalchuk is one of the most talented offensive players in the league, but in Terry Murray’s system, everyone is expected to assume some defensive responsibility. I’m not convinced that Kovalchuk would do just that, and I’m not convinced his new teammates would like the idea of one player getting a free pass from backchecking (which makes his trade to New Jersey even more baffling).
3. With the contract offer Kovalchuk rejected from Atlanta, he’s heading to Russia to play in the KHL next season. If 12 years/$101 million isn’t enough, the only place your’e going to get more than that is good ol’ Mother Russia. This may explain in part Don Waddell’s refusal to allow other GM’s to negotiate a contract. While it’s been speculated for some time, any reliable word that Kovalchuk has the intention of playing overseas for 2010-2011 would’ve effectively neutered his trade value drastically.
When you look at what New Jersey has reportedly given up for Kovalchuk: defenseman Johnny Oduya, forward Niclas Bergfors, prospect Patrice Cormier and a 1st round pick in the 2010 draft - all for a player who’s bolting for Russia come July.
Dean Lombardi has kept intact a red-hot team, and still has the assets and cap space to pursue other options via trade between now and the March 3rd Deadline. TSN’s Bob McKenzie already reported that the Kings and Carolina had reached a deal for Ray Whitney to the point where Dean Lombardi was allowed to speak with Whitney’s agent, J.P. Barry about a potential contract extension. When the Whitney/Barry team demanded a 3 year extension in order for Whitney to waive his No Trade Clause for LA, Lombardi killed the deal. Another Smart move - Whitney as a rental or even for one season would be a nice addition, but not for 3 years as a soon-to-be 37 year old. I don’t believe Lombardi is done shopping, and I have little doubt that he will make a small number of quality additions to the Kings’ roster without sacrificing current roster talent.
Kings and Ducks play the third installment of the Freeway Face-Off tonight at 7:30.
Go Kings!
-JS
Posted in Kings, NHL
2 Responses to “Why Passing on Kovalchuk Was the Right Move”
By Ian on Feb 5, 2010
if we look at what the Devils gave up and then look at something comparable off the Kings then perhaps it may be reasonable to say that Moller, Purcell, Johnson and a pick would’ve got this done. it’s pure speculation on my part but that looks like a deal that the Kings could’ve done and not seen a blip in their production this season. isn’t something like that reasonable? again, it’s pure speculation on my part.
By puremetal33 on Feb 5, 2010
Hi Ian,
I think if Atlanta would’ve given Kovalchuk up for that, it would’ve been a done deal a week ago. Rich Hammond reported HERE that Atlanta was asking for one of Brown, Johnson or Simmonds. Given Johnson’s history with Lombardi I thought he would be the linchpin of any deal for certain. Apparently though, Lombardi isn’t willing to part with Johnson in what would essentially be a rental deal. Purcell has never really led up to expectation and at 25 is the equivalent of a spare part. Realistically, if you’re trying to find an equivalent to New Jersey’s package on the Kings’ org chart, you’re probably looking at Johnson/Moller/Schenn(or Hickey)+ pick(s). As much as I tend to think Johnson is expendable, that just seems too steep a price for a guy who is likely to head for Russia in several months.