Kovalchuk traded to New Jersey

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

Anyone thinking he will go to the KHL after this season?

Is there a chance? In a word, yes.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

He's an olympian too... he'll get his game back i'm sure of it. He's a puckmoving defense-first shutdown guy when you "scan" him tbh

Puck moving defenseman put up better numbers.

Besides, it's stupid to trade one of the best players in the world just for a shutdown defenseman as the primary player going the other way in the trade. Defensive defenseman aren't hard to find.

[VM1138 1,921]

So Atlanta picked up a guy that isn't the same anymore and is hampered by an injury? That's not good.

Come on mindfly, 4 points in 40 games? It's one thing to struggle because of an injury, but those numbers are worse than just struggling. That's downright pathetic, especially since New Jersey is a really good team with many offensive players.

Atlanta should have waited this out and looked for a better deal. They panicked and took the first crap that came their way. No wonder their franchise has been so bad. Poor management is what this is.

I don't know if the Thrashers have a fan forum, but if they do, there must be some interesting stuff going on there today, which would put LGW to shame.

Their hfboards forum thread only has 9 pages to our 19. But I think Hfboards has a lot fewer members. At any rate, they seem (judging from the last few pages) to be HAPPY about the trade, and all think that Kovie will go back to Atlanta in the offseason.

I understand thinking he'll go back, but to think Atlanta actaully improved by losing a superstar for a couple of role players? Yikes.

[dat's sick 1,002]

Some of you (a lot of you) overestimate the worth of getting 25 games + playoffs out of a guy.

If Kovalchuk had a year (or more) left on his contract, this deal would have been terrible. Now it's not. With NJ's 1st pick and Bergfors they're in a good situation for the future, since they already have a good pool of talent.

And Oduya is a lot better than his numbers this year show. Take a look at his previous 2 years. I'd compare him to a Rafalski-light, maybe a bit better defensively and a bit worse offensively.

I could see him being a really good partner to Tobias Enstrom in Atlanta, the guy they're probably going to build their defense around.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

So Atlanta picked up a guy that isn't the same anymore and is hampered by an injury? That's not good.

Come on mindfly, 4 points in 40 games? It's one thing to struggle because of an injury, but those numbers are worse than just struggling. That's downright pathetic, especially since New Jersey is a really good team with many offensive players.

Atlanta should have waited this out and looked for a better deal. They panicked and took the first crap that came their way. No wonder their franchise has been so bad. Poor management is what this is.

I don't know if the Thrashers have a fan forum, but if they do, there must be some interesting stuff going on there today, which would put LGW to shame.

Kovy Trade: What a joke!!!!

[Finnish Wing 110]

Some of you (a lot of you) overestimate the worth of getting 25 games + playoffs out of a guy.

If Kovalchuk had a year (or more) left on his contract, this deal would have been terrible. Now it's not. With NJ's 1st pick and Bergfors they're in a good situation for the future, since they already have a good pool of talent.

And Oduya is a lot better than his numbers this year show. Take a look at his previous 2 years. I'd compare him to a Rafalski-light, maybe a bit better defensively and a bit worse offensively.

I could see him being a really good partner to Tobias Enstrom in Atlanta, the guy they're probably going to build their defense around.

You're obviously biased!

Just kidding. Waive Leino.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

You're obviously biased!

Just kidding. Waive Leino.

Please.

[Tommy_Like_Wingy 25]

[Finnish Wing 110]

Win.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

If things don't work out in the defensive swamp they've built up, I easily see him bolting.

[Rufio 29]

Ewwwwwwwwwwww he's so creepy!

As for NJ, this is the first time I wanna see them play. Maybe I'll make a trip out there.

I know, right? Fancy wanting to watch the New Jersey Devils huh?

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Kovy Trade: What a joke!!!!

Some of those guys reminded me of myself.

It's good to see what some of my Thrasher twins look like.

[SaCkaveli20 275]

Kovy 2 assists in his debut tonight!

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Kovy 2 assists in his debut tonight!

That's it??? Trade fail!!!!!!!!!!

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Some of those guys reminded me of myself.

It's good to see what some of my Thrasher twins look like.

Here's a pretty good quote from one of them over there:

People are slamming this trade for the sake of slamming it. Face facts, Kovy forced a trade and we didn't have many options. We got back great value for a rental.

1. Bergfors has scored 14 goals as a rookie, at 22 years old, playing in a defensive system under Lemaire. That is roughly half of Kovy's goal production immediately replaced and he is a RFA until he is 28 and currently making 825k per season. Solid addition that will only get better.

2. Oduya is a Swedish Olympian on the blue line. It isnt as if the Swedes don't have plenty of good dmen to choose from. He makes us better on the blue line and makes the impending trade of Kubina easier. He is also younger than Kubina and 1.5 million cheaper.

3. Cormier made the Devils in camp as an 18 year old. Thats right, he made the Devils. They optioned him to junior because they felt that for development purposes he would have more playing time there. He might be joining our line up post Olympice break. Don't discount that as a possibility.

4. A first round pick, speaks for itself.

What did we give up, well, not much in my eyes.

1. Kovy, a guy that we were going to lose for nothing in a month and a half. We made a huge offer and he turned it down, that forced our hand. So we had the choice of enjoying watching him play for a month and a half and then having him leave for nothing or something like this.

2. Salmela, who couldn't make it into our line up consistently. I was high on him last year, but he is now 25 and has never been a consistent NHLer. His window is closing and fast.

Overall, this deal made us younger, gave us more balance, security in lengths of contract terms and RFA status. Face it, we are a better team on paper than we were two hours ago. We aren't done dealing either, and for people to summarily dismiss this as a bad trade simply because Kovy was their favorite player is absurd. We got two pieces that will immediately help us, a third that might help us this season or definately will next season, and a 1st round pick. Given the circumstance, and the return, I think its a pretty good deal.

[Doc Holliday 1,888]

Yeah I don't see how Atlanta lost this trade considering Kovy forced them to cut their losses with him.

The fact that they got something out of him is huge.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

On another note, if he really rejected $100 million, then maybe he is really after the Cup.

[Pucks 66]

L.A. offered prospects (Schenn, Teubert, Moller and a 1st)and Waddell wouldn't budge from wanting one of Brown, Johnson or Simmonds.

Anyone else think this was a much better offer? This obsession to get a couple roster players instead was retarded IMO. Surely the organization knows even if they make it in the playoffs, it's a one and done situation? I understand how Waddell keeps his job.

I mean if Kenny all of a sudden traded Zetterberg I'd want that package from L.A instead of the one from the Devils. Not that I'd want to trade Z, just saying, Waddell is moronic.

Edited February 8, 2010 by Pucks

[CMatt89 63]

Anybody think its all strategic? They knew they were going to get some good players in return for Kovy, so, being a struggling team, they get some good young players, and a draft pick with a trade..but what if the real intentions are to resign Kovy in the offseason. Add the new guys with Kovy, and you have a pretty good looking team for next season. Who knows?

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=309999

Kovie scores his first goal and the Devils fans react as if its a hat trick.

[Finnish Wing 110]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=309999

Kovie scores his first goal and the Devils fans react as if its a hat trick.

Talk about failing...

[Doc Holliday 1,888]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=309999

Kovie scores his first goal and the Devils fans react as if its a hat trick.

Yeah how dare Devils fans get excited that their new acquisition scored his first goal for the franchise...

I can remember a few Wings fans relatively excited when Hossa got his first last year.

[MannyK 16]

Yeah how dare Devils fans get excited that their new acquisition scored his first goal for the franchise...

I can remember a few Wings fans relatively excited when Hossa got his first last year.

not trying to "disprove" your point, but Hossa's goal was an OT-winner, and also his 300th of his career.

but either way, I was excited that Kovy got his first goal with the Devils... and I don't even particularly like them! (though I do have Brodeur, Parise, and Zubrus on my fantasy hockey team haha)

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Yeah how dare Devils fans get excited that their new acquisition scored his first goal for the franchise...

I can remember a few Wings fans relatively excited when Hossa got his first last year.

I don't recall anyone throwing hats on the ice, though.

The Devils are 2-3-1 in 6 games with Kovie, and he only has 1 goal. Is he just starting slow, or is Jersey's defense first attitude really hindering him?