Who would you move for Kovalchuk?

[Echolalia 2,961]

Kovy's not worth 11M. Frankly I don't think anyone is worth more than 8M

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

He wants more than Ovechkin? No.

[Booster313 138]

I think the Wings would entertain the idea of bringing him here and would even give up significant assets to make it happen. However it would come down to wether the Wings believed that they could get an extension done with him or not. They aren't going to give up, Flip, Kronwall, Etc for a rental player.

[Guest EZBAKETHAGANGSTA]

Thread is phrased horribly, and Atlanta will never move him, but theoretically I would be willing to move packages like these...

Filpulla+Kindl+1st (2010)+ 2nd (2011)

Filpulla + Leino + Kindl + 1st

Fipulla + Ericcsson + 3rd

Cleary+ Filpulla + 2nd

All these packages are based on the assumption we are able to sign him to a sub 5.5-6.5 millon LONG term contract. I personally think that each of these packages would make the Thrashers consider the deal seriously, as well as sacrificing a decent chunk of salary. If the Wing's somehow do manage to pull off one of the trades listed, and sign Kovy for 5.5-6.5 million, the Wings still have a decent amount of Cap Space, and if Lidstrom retires fully, would be able to possibly pursue a top defensemen and offer slightly over 6 million. Chara and Kovy for Cleary, Filpulla, and Lidstrom? I'd do it.

Kovalchuk-(6.5) Datsyuk (6.7) Holmstrom (1.5)

Franzen (3.95)- Zetterberg (6.083) - Bertuzzi (2.00)

Draper (1.5) - Helm (.800) - Eaves (800)

Leino (800) - Abs (800)- Miller (.500)

-Meech (.483)/May (.500)

Defensemen

Chara (6.5) Rafalski (6.00)

Kronwall (3.00) Stuart (3.75)

Kindl (900) Ericcsson (900)

-Janik/Meech

FORWARDS

Pavel Datsyuk — $6,700,000

* Kovalchuk — $6,500,000

Henrik Zetterberg — $6,083,333

Johan Franzen — $3,954,545

* Todd Bertuzzi — $2,000,000

Kris Draper — $1,583,333

* Tomas Holmstrom — $1,500,000

* Justin Abdelkader — $850,000

* Darren Helm — $800,000

* Eaves — $800,000

Ville Leino — $800,000

* Drew Miller — $525,000

DEFENSEMEN

* Chara — $6,500,000

Brian Rafalski — $6,000,000

Brad Stuart — $3,750,000

Niklas Kronwall — $3,000,000

Jonathan Ericsson — $900,000

Jakub Kindl — $883,333

* Doug Janik — $500,000

* Derek Meech — $483,000

GOALTENDERS

Chris Osgood — $1,416,666

Jimmy Howard — $716,666

ROSTER SIZE 22

SALARY CAP $56,800,000

PAYROLL $56,245,876

BONUSES $0

CAP SPACE $554,124

Or if Lidstrom wants to play and Holland is generous and offers a 4 million dollar deal, we can either 1) dump Williams and Bertuzzi, make Holmstrom and contracts and still pursue an elite 6+ million defensemen, or 2) Resign Miller, Eaves, and Holmstrom to a bit better contracts retain Bertuzzi and accquire a nice stay at home like Volchenkov or Hjmarlsson?

Just Imagine (yes I know lack of forward depth, but our Defense would be stacked... and this is Lidstrom recieves 4.00 Million, which personally think is the absoloute max he will ask for. If you get him 3 million and resign bertuzzi for the same exact amount we have more room for call ups/a legit 13th forward.

Fowards

Kovalchuk-(6.5) Datsyuk (6.7) Holmstrom (1.5)

Franzen (3.95)- Zetterberg (6.083) - Bertuzzi (2.00)

Draper (1.5) - Helm (.800) - Eaves (800)

Leino (800) - Abs (800)- Miller (.500)

-Meech (.483)/May (.500)

Defensemen

Lids (4.00) Rafalski (6.00)

Kronwall (3.00) Stuart (3.75)

Volchenkov (3.00) Ericcsson (900)

-Kindl/Meech

Forwards

Pavel Datsyuk — $6,700,000

* Kovalchuk — $6,500,000

Henrik Zetterberg — $6,083,333

Johan Franzen — $3,954,545

* Todd Bertuzzi — $2,000,000

Kris Draper — $1,583,333

* Tomas Holmstrom — $1,500,000

* Justin Abdelkader — $850,000

* Darren Helm — $800,000

Eaves — $800,000

Ville Leino — $800,000

* Drew Miller — $525,000

*Brad May - $500,000

Defensemen

Brian Rafalski — $6,000,000

* Nicklas Lidstrom — $4,000,000

Brad Stuart — $3,750,000

* Volchenkov — $3,000,000

Niklas Kronwall — $3,000,000

Jonathan Ericsson — $900,000

Jakub Kindl — $883,333

* Derek Meech — $483,000

Chris Osgood — $1,416,666

Jimmy Howard — $716,666

ROSTER SIZE 23

SALARY CAP $56,800,000

PAYROLL $56,745,876

BONUSES $0

CAP SPACE $54,124

People who are saying we move Kronwall or Rafalski for him are insane, Kronwall is an incredible steal and will be a Wing for life, whereas Rafalski would instantly make Atlanta disinterested. They are not going to move their franchise player for a 36 year old declinding defensemen making 6 million. The only teams that would ever have legitment trading for Rafalski were contenders with cap room and an established team. Rafalski is still a great complementing player, but his salary is overpaid, and is not someone you trade a top player for.

Edited December 13, 2009 by EZBAKETHAGANGSTA

[Finnish Wing 110]

Thread is phrased horribly, and Atlanta will never move him, but theoretically I would be willing to move packages like these...

Filpulla+Kindl+1st (2010)+ 2nd (2011)

Filpulla + Leino + Kindl + 1st

Fipulla + Ericcsson + 3rd

Cleary+ Filpulla + 2nd

All these packages are based on the assumption we are able to sign him to a sub 5.5-6.5 millon LONG term contract. I personally think that each of these packages would make the Thrashers consider the deal seriously, as well as sacrificing a decent chunk of salary. If the Wing's somehow do manage to pull off one of the trades listed, and sign Kovy for 5.5-6.5 million, the Wings still have a decent amount of Cap Space, and if Lidstrom retires fully, would be able to possibly pursue a top defensemen and offer slightly over 6 million. Chara and Kovy for Cleary, Filpulla, and Lidstrom? I'd do it.

Kovalchuk-(6.5) Datsyuk (6.7) Holmstrom (1.5)

Franzen (3.95)- Zetterberg (6.083) - Bertuzzi (2.00)

Draper (1.5) - Helm (.800) - Eaves (800)

Leino (800) - Abs (800)- Miller (.500)

-Meech (.483)/May (.500)

Defensemen

Chara (6.5) Rafalski (6.00)

Kronwall (3.00) Stuart (3.75)

Kindl (900) Ericcsson (900)

-Janik/Meech

FORWARDS

Pavel Datsyuk — $6,700,000

* Kovalchuk — $6,500,000

Henrik Zetterberg — $6,083,333

Johan Franzen — $3,954,545

* Todd Bertuzzi — $2,000,000

Kris Draper — $1,583,333

* Tomas Holmstrom — $1,500,000

* Justin Abdelkader — $850,000

* Darren Helm — $800,000

* Eaves — $800,000

Ville Leino — $800,000

* Drew Miller — $525,000

DEFENSEMEN

* Chara — $6,500,000

Brian Rafalski — $6,000,000

Brad Stuart — $3,750,000

Niklas Kronwall — $3,000,000

Jonathan Ericsson — $900,000

Jakub Kindl — $883,333

* Doug Janik — $500,000

* Derek Meech — $483,000

GOALTENDERS

Chris Osgood — $1,416,666

Jimmy Howard — $716,666

ROSTER SIZE 22

SALARY CAP $56,800,000

PAYROLL $56,245,876

BONUSES $0

CAP SPACE $554,124

Or if Lidstrom wants to play and Holland is generous and offers a 4 million dollar deal, we can either 1) dump Williams and Bertuzzi, make Holmstrom and contracts and still pursue an elite 6+ million defensemen, or 2) Resign Miller, Eaves, and Holmstrom to a bit better contracts retain Bertuzzi and accquire a nice stay at home like Volchenkov or Hjmarlsson?

Just Imagine (yes I know lack of forward depth, but our Defense would be stacked... and this is Lidstrom recieves 4.00 Million, which personally think is the absoloute max he will ask for. If you get him 3 million and resign bertuzzi for the same exact amount we have more room for call ups/a legit 13th forward.

Fowards

Kovalchuk-(6.5) Datsyuk (6.7) Holmstrom (1.5)

Franzen (3.95)- Zetterberg (6.083) - Bertuzzi (2.00)

Draper (1.5) - Helm (.800) - Eaves (800)

Leino (800) - Abs (800)- Miller (.500)

-Meech (.483)/May (.500)

Defensemen

Lids (4.00) Rafalski (6.00)

Kronwall (3.00) Stuart (3.75)

Volchenkov (3.00) Ericcsson (900)

-Kindl/Meech

Forwards

Pavel Datsyuk — $6,700,000

* Kovalchuk — $6,500,000

Henrik Zetterberg — $6,083,333

Johan Franzen — $3,954,545

* Todd Bertuzzi — $2,000,000

Kris Draper — $1,583,333

* Tomas Holmstrom — $1,500,000

* Justin Abdelkader — $850,000

* Darren Helm — $800,000

Eaves — $800,000

Ville Leino — $800,000

* Drew Miller — $525,000

*Brad May - $500,000

Defensemen

Brian Rafalski — $6,000,000

* Nicklas Lidstrom — $4,000,000

Brad Stuart — $3,750,000

* Volchenkov — $3,000,000

Niklas Kronwall — $3,000,000

Jonathan Ericsson — $900,000

Jakub Kindl — $883,333

* Derek Meech — $483,000

Chris Osgood — $1,416,666

Jimmy Howard — $716,666

ROSTER SIZE 23

SALARY CAP $56,800,000

PAYROLL $56,745,876

BONUSES $0

CAP SPACE $54,124

People who are saying we move Kronwall or Rafalski for him are insane, Kronwall is an incredible steal and will be a Wing for life, whereas Rafalski would instantly make Atlanta disinterested. They are not going to move their franchise player for a 36 year old declinding defensemen making 6 million. The only teams that would ever have legitment trading for Rafalski were contenders with cap room and an established team. Rafalski is still a great complementing player, but his salary is overpaid, and is not someone you trade a top player for.

You just don't understand how valuable Filppula is this team do you? Babcock won't be letting him go.

[Feldmarschall 9]

You just don't understand how valuable Filppula is this team do you? Babcock won't be letting him go.

Babcock has no control over it, that's Holland's job.

But still, it'd be stupid to trade for Kovalchuk. The guy thinks he's worth 11 million in today's cap world, while Crosby, Malkin, and Ovie are making less? No way. He won't be a Wing.

[Guest EZBAKETHAGANGSTA]

You just don't understand how valuable Filppula is this team do you? Babcock won't be letting him go.

No, I realize he is a good player, unfortunatly though trades have to enitce both teams, and his salary and ability are the only things that would make any trade proposal to them realistic, well either him or Kronwall, but Kronwall is far more valuable to this team then Filppula is.

If you honestly can't put your nationalistic homerism for Filppula aside and realize that Kovalchuck> Filppula + Cleary for essentailly the same cap hit would not benifit the wings, than I have no Idea what to tell you. This thread was about potential packages for Kovalchuk, I'm sorry that I didn't throw in the generic

ZOMFG RAFALSKI FOR KOVY STRAIGHT UP" response.

[b-random 0]

Personally, I think our only hope to sign him is via free agency, and it seem unlikely that he'd make it there. If Atlanta or the KHL can't sign him, anyone else that makes a big deal for him (won't be us) is gonna have plans of locking him up long-term.

Personally, I hope he stays in Atlanta. It's a shame to see a super talented player "rot" on a crappy team/market, but he's likely to never be a thorn in our side if he spends his whole career in ATL. And as much as I'd love to see him play for the Red Wings, I'd rather he remain a non-factor than come to a WC team.

Sorry I didn't answer your question but I can't envision a realistic trade. EZBAKETHAGANGSTA's suggestions seem decent enough.

[Guest ZetterbergFourty]

Rafalski + Cleary + Eaves + 1st rounder + 2nd rounder

for

Kovalchuk + Antropov + 1st rounder

I didnt bother to check if the numbers would work, seems like a decent trade to me. I dont really wanna see Cleary go anywhere, but he's nice tradebait IMO.

Edit: Maybe replace Antropov with a dman, I'm not too familiar with Atlanta's team.

Edited December 13, 2009 by ZetterbergFourty

[cjm502 165]

Babcock has no control over it, that's Holland's job.

But still, it'd be stupid to trade for Kovalchuk. The guy thinks he's worth 11 million in today's cap world, while Crosby, Malkin, and Ovie are making less? No way. He won't be a Wing.

You think Kenny doesn't talk things over with our teams coach? Babs has plenty of control.

[rage 24]

lol.

Cleary - No Trade Clause

Rafalski - No Trade Clause

[Guest ZetterbergFourty]

You think Kenny doesn't talk things over with our teams coach? Babs has plenty of control.

You are right. GM's talk to the coaches about trades and s*** for sure. Who knows a player better than the coach?

[rage 24]

Daniel Cleary, DET - NTC [in effect until 30 days prior to the 2011-12 trade deadline]

Pavel Datsyuk, DET - NMC [until end of 2010-11 season, then has a partial NTC]

Kris Draper, DET - NTC

Nicklas Lidstrom, DET - NMC

Brian Rafalski, DET - NTC

Brad Stuart, DET - NTC [for 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons]

[Guest ZetterbergFourty]

lol.

Cleary - No Trade Clause

Rafalski - No Trade Clause

No kidding? Back to the drawing board. They're not gonna waive those for Atlanta..

[tommingthepuck96 1]

Frolov is the only ideal player that holland would pick up if he felt datsyuk needed someone to play with.

Kovalachuck is not coming to detroit but for those of you who are having fun playing ken holland on this topic, dont let me ruin your fun.

[Jesusberg 1,256]

Frolov is the only ideal player that holland would pick up if he felt datsyuk needed someone to play with.

And if not, he can keep playing with himself.

[chrisdetroit 189]

Is this the NHL '10 thread because some of these posts are just fantasy stuff.

[Jake Ryan 1]

The guy that I think brings the LEAST amount of value for his worth at this point in his contract is Brian Rafalski. I wish we could get rid of him. 2 more years after this one, though. At 6 mil per. Absolutely killing us.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

You just don't understand how valuable Filppula is this team do you? Babcock won't be letting him go.

Filppula's a valuable piece but you're crazy if you think he's an impact player on a level even close to that of Kovalchuk.

Babcock has no control over it, that's Holland's job.

But still, it'd be stupid to trade for Kovalchuk. The guy thinks he's worth 11 million in today's cap world, while Crosby, Malkin, and Ovie are making less? No way. He won't be a Wing.

You are aware of how contract negotiations work, right? Of course his agent was demanding the max contract.

Rafalski + Cleary + Eaves + 1st rounder + 2nd rounder

for

Kovalchuk + Antropov + 1st rounder

I didnt bother to check if the numbers would work, seems like a decent trade to me. I dont really wanna see Cleary go anywhere, but he's nice tradebait IMO.

Edit: Maybe replace Antropov with a dman, I'm not too familiar with Atlanta's team.

They might do that if Rafalski was 10 years younger. But now? You've got to be kidding me.

[Leadzedder 4]

I'd be willing (and very much want to) to move.....

$6.5m a year for 12 years. In the offseason.

As for getting him earlier than that (the deadline) that would take lots of assets. So offseason, is so much better. But the truth is if we're fitting that contract in, some moves have to take place anyway. I'm all in support of getting Kovalchuk on Pavels wing.

Ok, so thinking ahead to next year, the main things I'm thinking are 1. we need someone to play wing for Pavel. 2. We have too many top 4 dman (in which too many of them are offensive) 3. A net clearing dman is in order.

The players I want are Kovalchuk and Volchenkov. I have them at a combined 10 mil. (6.5 & 3.5) ACtually I'll step back for a minute, forget Volchenkov for abit. Here's fitting Kovalchuk in as an offseason signing.

FORWARDS

Pavel Datsyuk — $6,700,000

* Ilya Kovalchuk — $6,500,000

Henrik Zetterberg — $6,083,333

Johan Franzen — $3,954,545

Valtteri Filppula — $3,000,000

Daniel Cleary — $2,800,000

Kris Draper — $1,583,333

* Todd Bertuzzi — $1,500,000

* Tomas Holmstrom — $1,000,000

* Darren Helm — $900,000

* Justin Abdelkader — $900,000

* Patrick Eaves — $900,000

Ville Leino — $800,000

DEFENSEMEN

Brian Rafalski — $6,000,000

* Nicklas Lidstrom — $4,000,000

Brad Stuart — $3,750,000

Niklas Kronwall — $3,000,000

Jonathan Ericsson — $900,000

Jakub Kindl — $883,333

* Doug Janik — $500,000

GOALTENDERS

Chris Osgood — $1,416,666

Jimmy Howard — $716,666

BUYOUTS

NONE

LOST VIA REENTRY WAIVERS

NONE

CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS

ROSTER SIZE 22

SALARY CAP $58,000,000

PAYROLL $57,787,876

BONUSES $0

CAP SPACE $212,124

Ideally what I'd like to see is Rafalski moved. This would enable more needed changes. It's a longshot with the NTC but I think it would be very helpful. He's a great dman. I mean in what he brings. We know his faults. But we have alot of offensive dman. We'd be ok with removing him. And teh 6 mil would be huge. If there's a team out there looking for a elite puckmoving dman to run a powerplay, he's their guy. 6mil for 2 years. That's not bad. We may see it as a negative but if our team had that hole to fill and only had to commit for 2 years, not bad. He'd get a decent return in picks and stuff. If we could move him this is what I'd want.

FORWARDS

Pavel Datsyuk — $6,700,000

* Ilya Kovalchuk — $6,500,000

Henrik Zetterberg — $6,083,333

Johan Franzen — $3,954,545

* Nikolai Zherdev — $3,500,000

Valtteri Filppula — $3,000,000

Daniel Cleary — $2,800,000

Kris Draper — $1,583,333

* Todd Bertuzzi — $1,500,000

* Darren Helm — $900,000

* Justin Abdelkader — $900,000

* Patrick Eaves — $900,000

Ville Leino — $800,000

DEFENSEMEN

* Nicklas Lidstrom — $4,000,000

Brad Stuart — $3,750,000

* Anton Volchenkov — $3,500,000

Niklas Kronwall — $3,000,000

Jonathan Ericsson — $900,000

Jakub Kindl — $883,333

* Doug Janik — $500,000

GOALTENDERS

Chris Osgood — $1,416,666

Jimmy Howard — $716,666

BUYOUTS

NONE

LOST VIA REENTRY WAIVERS

NONE

CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS

ROSTER SIZE 22

SALARY CAP $58,000,000

PAYROLL $57,787,876

BONUSES $0

CAP SPACE $212,124

FORWARDS

* Ilya Kovalchuk / Pavel Datsyuk / * Nikolai Zherdev

Johan Franzen / Henrik Zetterberg / Daniel Cleary

* Todd Bertuzzi / Valtteri Filppula / Ville Leino

* Darren Helm / Kris Draper / * Patrick Eaves

* Justin Abdelkader ($0.900m) /

DEFENSEMEN

* Nicklas Lidstrom / Jonathan Ericsson

Brad Stuart / Niklas Kronwall

* Anton Volchenkov / Jakub Kindl

* Doug Janik

GOALTENDERS

Chris Osgood / Jimmy Howard

So... some thoughts on that. The D is still plenty good. Better mix of offense and defensive guys. And as you can see the forward group is downright scary good. I put Zherdev in there but you could go with some others. I just meant a russian winger to compliment the other 2. Zherdev wants to come back and those linemates would entice him. Other names could go in there, not sure who... Afinoganov, ummm. Hudlerov, Probably wouldn't get Frolov at that price. Ummm, not sure. I actually want the Russian 5 back in action. That would give us 4. Lids retires after next year and Markov hits UFA... hmmmm. Ice 5 russians. 5 swedes. Lil friendly competition and ******* awesome hockey to watch.

Edited December 13, 2009 by Leadzedder

[Leadzedder 4]

As for the original question.... I'll give it a go.

Detroit wont give up the assets that it would require without knowing he'd sign a contract we could handle. So, this is based on knowing or strongly believing he'll sign. I don't know anything about Atlanta's prospects for this either so.... Also, as I'd like to move Rafalski in my fantasy happenings so including him makes sense. Actually what makes more sense is to move him at the deadline and get a phat return. Ship him east. Help make up for the loss we'd take in aquiring Ilya. The other thing about getting him at teh deadline is capspace. s***... maybe even tagging rule might frig this up, don't know. But we'll havdone all our guys back by deadline. We have negative cap space. We have to move large contracts to make it happen. Rafalski in himself gets it done though. I'm not positive but I think Kovalchuk's hit is 5.8 or 6.2, i forget.

Rafalski. Filppula, 1st

for

Kovalchuk, somethign else good (prospect that the brass likes)

But I think moving Rafalski in a seperate deal makes more sense. So...

Filppula, Ferraro, 2nd, 1st (from Rafalski trade)

Or to stop picking on Rafalski.....

Flip, Cleary, 2nd

[Drake_Marcus 890]

I'd be willing (and very much want to) to move.....

$6.5m a year for 12 years. In the offseason.

As for getting him earlier than that (the deadline) that would take lots of assets. So offseason, is so much better. But the truth is if we're fitting that contract in, some moves have to take place anyway. I'm all in support of getting Kovalchuk on Pavels wing.

Ok, so thinking ahead to next year, the main things I'm thinking are 1. we need someone to play wing for Pavel. 2. We have too many top 4 dman (in which too many of them are offensive) 3. A net clearing dman is in order.

The players I want are Kovalchuk and Volchenkov. I have them at a combined 10 mil. (6.5 & 3.5) ACtually I'll step back for a minute, forget Volchenkov for abit. Here's fitting Kovalchuk in as an offseason signing.

FORWARDS

* Nikolai Zherdev / Pavel Datsyuk / * Ilya Kovalchuk

Johan Franzen / Henrik Zetterberg / * Todd Bertuzzi

Daniel Cleary / Valtteri Filppula / Ville Leino

* Darren Helm / Kris Draper / * Patrick Eaves

* Justin Abdelkader ($0.900m) /

DEFENSEMEN

* Nicklas Lidstrom / Jonathan Ericsson

Brad Stuart / Niklas Kronwall

* Anton Volchenkov / Jakub Kindl

* Doug Janik

GOALTENDERS

Chris Osgood / Jimmy Howard

*Post cropped down a bit to reduce the amount of page taken up*

First of all, this line up looks fearsome. If Holland could put that team together we'd be scary, scary good.

But the numbers are a bit too optimistic. Kovalchuk sees himself as on par with Ovechkin, Crosby, Malkin, Datsyuk, etc. So he'd be looking for a salary around 9 million a season (noting that Datsyuk's cap hit is an absolute steal). Yes you could get it lower by locking him up even longer term, but getting it down to 6.5 million is a real stretch. I suppose it's possible given how much Hossa was willing to take long term, and front-loading it would allow you to give Kovy his huge salary early on. But in the end it'd be a work of sheer brilliance to get him signed for 6.5 million. I'd lose my s*** if Holland could do that!

Volchenkov will not come here for 3.5 million and he certainly won't come here to play on the 3rd pairing.

Komisarek signed a deal with the Leafs for 5 years at 4.5 million per. Now if you look at their numbers, Volchenkov and Komisarek have virtually identical stat lines aside from the fact that Komisarek has about triple the PIMs. Komisarek seems to be able to stay a bit healthier than Volchenkov, but it's not a huge difference in their relative games played. Both players are 27 years old.

Volchenkov's agent will be using Komisarek's contract as a starting point for negotiations. So you'd have to sign Anton for a much longer term to get him down to 3.5 million.

[Guest Lidstromboli]

ewww, zherdev?

[Leadzedder 4]

*Post cropped down a bit to reduce the amount of page taken up*

First of all, this line up looks fearsome. If Holland could put that team together we'd be scary, scary good.

But the numbers are a bit too optimistic. Kovalchuk sees himself as on par with Ovechkin, Crosby, Malkin, Datsyuk, etc. So he'd be looking for a salary around 9 million a season (noting that Datsyuk's cap hit is an absolute steal). Yes you could get it lower by locking him up even longer term, but getting it down to 6.5 million is a real stretch. I suppose it's possible given how much Hossa was willing to take long term, and front-loading it would allow you to give Kovy his huge salary early on. But in the end it'd be a work of sheer brilliance to get him signed for 6.5 million. I'd lose my s*** if Holland could do that!

Volchenkov will not come here for 3.5 million and he certainly won't come here to play on the 3rd pairing.

Komisarek signed a deal with the Leafs for 5 years at 4.5 million per. Now if you look at their numbers, Volchenkov and Komisarek have virtually identical stat lines aside from the fact that Komisarek has about triple the PIMs. Komisarek seems to be able to stay a bit healthier than Volchenkov, but it's not a huge difference in their relative games played. Both players are 27 years old.

Volchenkov's agent will be using Komisarek's contract as a starting point for negotiations. So you'd have to sign Anton for a much longer term to get him down to 3.5 million.

K, yeah you're probably right. But here's my thoughts. If we think it takes 9 (cap hit) to get Kovalchuk than we don't need to make any more threads about him coming here. Not even worth considering. That's what a team like atlanta pays to get those players. We don't. s***, neither does Chicago. 5.25/per... wow.

Like this isn't like offering him 5 years at 9. This is much better and on a much better team. If you do the 12 year deal which is 78 million. It'll have the Holland special 2 years of garbage at the end. So it's really 7.5 over 10. That's not far off 9. Atlanta for 10 years @ 9 or Detroit for 10 years @ 7.5? Can't speak for the man but I know what I'd do.

As for Volchenkov's value.... ok. I wasn't sure. But in the only way we can really fit Volchenkov is getting rid of Rafalski. Cap wise and roster space. A d group of

Lids

Raf

Kron

Stu

Volchenkov

Ericsson

is ridonkulous. And unnecessary. As for putting Anton on the 3rd pairing, I was just chucking names down. I'll let Babcock decide that. Anyway, back to his value, if it's 4.5, no problem. Greedy russian forward #3 can be a 2.5 guy. The priority would be Volchenkov, the other guy is just a luxury we can have due to the extra money freed up by Raf leaving.

[ComradeWasabi 109]

I didn't even read much of this thread... that being said, any notion of Kovalchuk coming here is a pipe dream for more than one reason. One, we don't want an ego like that here. Two, we will not give up significant assets to get him. Three, he wants more money than we can afford. Its just never gonna happen.

Edited December 13, 2009 by ComradeWasabi