Kovalchuk will not be a Red Wing

[LeftWinger 5,131]

No telling what'll happen, nobody thought we could land Hossa either, albeit for 1 year, but hey, stranger things have happened! BUt I think the day of discounts to play in Detroit are over, especially if Lidstrom retires, unless they come VERY close or actually win the Cup this season. I lowering my expectations and hope they can draft Dylan McIlrath with their first round pic this year and then sign some solid defensive and offensive help (with hopefully DOES NOT include Hudler, unless it's a trade.)

[Drake_Marcus 890]

And dont get me wrong, I dont want to see Homer go away. If he wants to come back for around 1 million a year, Im all for having a powerplay specialist on the roster at that cap hit. However, I just think having him play first line minutes hurts us more than it helps.

He scored 25 goals this year. Offering him 1 million would be spitting in his face. If he comes back for 1.5 million I'd be very happy.

Ive seen multiple posters on here admit that if it wasnt for his skill set in front of the net, he probably wouldnt even be in the AHL right now.

How is that the least bit inditing?

Look at Helm-- if it wasn't for his skating he wouldn't make an AHL team either... but that doesn't change how useful he is to the Wings outside the fantasy framework of "if it wasn't for his _____".

[sibiriak 84]

There's no way he goes to the KHL...

1. The KHL is going to fold within a few years

2. He is too competitive and wants to play in the best league in the world (NHL)

3. 8+ mil a year in the NHL > 12 mil a year in Russia

Your 1st and 2nd points may have some merit, but you lost me on the third.

How is 12 mil. AFTER taxes to play in your home country, and having your young family close to the grandmas, grandpas, uncles, aunties etc worse than about 8 mil (4 mil after taxes) to play in the US? Apart from the level of competition that you mentioned separately that is?

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Yeah, no way does Kovalchuk take 8 here when he can have 12 there. No.Way. Family and all that considered, it just wont happen. But neither would him coming here in the firts place, and nor would I want him.

Be down for Volch though, he's a badass. Gonna cost too much in the end probably.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Yeah, no way does Kovalchuk take 8 here when he can have 12 there. No.Way. Family and all that considered, it just wont happen. But neither would him coming here in the firts place, and nor would I want him.

Who would take 8 million instead of 12 million!?! he can go to Russia for 4 years, rake in the cash, then come back to the NHL as a veteran and join a contender for cheap so he can get his cup. He'd have to be a pretty terrible businessman to turn down 12 million for 8 million unless there's some other contracts involved (being a spokesman for some hockey manufacturer, for example).

Be down for Volch though, he's a badass. Gonna cost too much in the end probably.

On HNiC they were talking about contracts as high as 5 million a season for Anton... that's a steep price for a player who doesn't provide offense. I'd still consider it, though, given his shot blocking numbers.

[Hockeymom1960 5,107]

I would LOVEEE for you to dig through my posts and find where I've knocked him ALL year. I havent knocked him since last offseason.

The Datsyuk deal was a great deal, no doubt about it. But honestly, the Zetterberg deal is fair market value. I wouldnt consider 6 million a year for 12 years to be much of a break. People over exagerate the home town discounts we recieve. I didnt see Samuelsson or Hudler clamoring to give us a break.

And I know its a stretch, but loyalty also allows us to put Maltby in the lineup for Abdelkader after he scored goals in games one and two, when everybody and their brother knew that Abs would be much more effective than Maltby.

Bottom line, I wont down play how good Homer is on the powerplays, hes great. But 2 million for six minutes a game is assinine. Take off your red goggles, hes terrible 5on5. We could take that 2 million and couple it with Berts 1.5 million (Dont get me wrong, I love Bert) and get a legitimate top 6 forward.

Thank God Homer is going no where.

[Doc Holliday 1,888]

Who would take 8 million instead of 12 million!?! he can go to Russia for 4 years, rake in the cash, then come back to the NHL as a veteran and join a contender for cheap so he can get his cup. He'd have to be a pretty terrible businessman to turn down 12 million for 8 million unless there's some other contracts involved (being a spokesman for some hockey manufacturer, for example).

On HNiC they were talking about contracts as high as 5 million a season for Anton... that's a steep price for a player who doesn't provide offense. I'd still consider it, though, given his shot blocking numbers.

For five mil a season? Blech.

[Trapt1307 81]

Any love for Derek Morris? He's a UFA.

He might be OK for a Stuart-ish contract.

[zettie85 106]

Probably won't come here but we could possibly pro rate it until we lose the 6 million dollar pylon.

[Buppy 1,720]

Any love for Derek Morris? He's a UFA.

He might be OK for a Stuart-ish contract.

I think I'd rather have Michalek, even though he's not having as good a playoffs so far. Younger, likely cheaper, and gives you pretty much the same.

[Leadzedder 4]

Ilya Kovalchuk ($6.500m) Pavel Datsyuk ($6.700m) Tomas Holmstrom ($1.500m)

Johan Franzen ($3.955m) Henrik Zetterberg ($6.083m) Dick Axelsson ($0.85m)

Jiri Hudler ($2.875m) Valtteri Filppula ($3.000m) Todd Bertuzzi ($1.500m)

Justin Abdelkader ($0.900m) Darren Helm ($0.900m)Patrick Eaves ($0.750m)

Kris Draper ($1.583m)

Drew Miller ($0.750m)

Nicklas Lidstrom ($4.000m) Anton Volchenkov ($4.000m)

Brad Stuart ($3.750m) Niklas Kronwall ($3.000m)

Andreas Lilja ($1.000m) Jonathan Ericsson ($0.900m)

Jakub Kindl ($0.883m)

Jimmy Howard ($0.717m)

Chris Osgood ($1.417m) /

ROSTER: 23; PAYROLL: $57.513m; CAP ROOM: $0.352m BONUSES: $0.165m

Damn no trade clauses. Cleary and Rafalski if you're wondering.

And yeah, I chucked a dick in there. Not for discussion just cause I'd like it. Had hoped he'd make it to the show. Might still.

But the dick thing aside, that line up is an upgrade on offense and defense. The problem with adding Kovi, and I think we could even without moving the no trade clause club is that Howard is gonna want some money year after next. I like the idea of a high skill russian to play with Dats though. I'd like Zherdev for 3 mil.

If we could turn Rafalski into Volchenkov I think we should. the cap savings and we have offensive dmen on the way. NJ needs a puck mover. I think it's worth a call. Grab some picks or Clarkson.

Edited April 27, 2010 by Leadzedder

[Drake_Marcus 890]

For five mil a season? Blech.

Shot blocking is apparently very, very expensive.

Still, if Stuart can get 3.75 million, his elite counterpart should be able to top 4.5 million, no?

But yeah, 5 million for a d-man who scored 1pt more than Ericsson while playing 28mins a night is steep. He's really good at everything not offense related, though, so he'll get it from someone.

Probably won't come here but we could possibly pro rate it until we lose the 6 million dollar pylon.

Careful now-- Lebda's agent just spit his coffee out with excitement.

I think I'd rather have Michalek, even though he's not having as good a playoffs so far. Younger, likely cheaper, and gives you pretty much the same.

Michalek will have lots of suiters too. He's got lots of potential.

[stevkrause 1,247]

Your 1st and 2nd points may have some merit, but you lost me on the third.

How is 12 mil. AFTER taxes to play in your home country, and having your young family close to the grandmas, grandpas, uncles, aunties etc worse than about 8 mil (4 mil after taxes) to play in the US? Apart from the level of competition that you mentioned separately that is?

The chance to play in a better league and a better living situation are my SOLE reasons...

For five mil a season? Blech.

Agreed... I would like to see him here, but not for anything over 4 and obviously that would only be in the event that the unfathomable occurred (Lids hanging them up)

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

People keep making comments/posts about trying to sign him in the off-season and I just don't see any way this is possible, regardless of how enticing and intriguing it is... even if Nick hangs them up at years end AND the cap goes up to the reported 57.7... there's no way we can afford him, some team will throw some INSANE contract at him (8 mil + a season), which we cannot match and even if he took a discount to come here and play with Dats, our defense would take a MAJOR hit (I'm not ready for Kindl to jump right in and play every day) by not using the new space to address the D -

Ilya Kovalchuk ($6.900m) / Pavel Datsyuk ($6.700m) / Tomas Holmstrom ($2.000m)

Jiri Hudler ($2.875m) / Henrik Zetterberg ($6.083m) / Johan Franzen ($3.955m)

Daniel Cleary ($2.800m) / Valtteri Filppula ($3.000m) / Drew Miller ($0.800m)

Justin Abdelkader ($0.900m) / Darren Helm ($0.950m) / Patrick Eaves ($0.900m)

Kris Draper ($1.583m)

Niklas Kronwall ($3.000m) / Brian Rafalski ($6.000m)

Jakub Kindl ($0.883m) / Brad Stuart ($3.750m)

Jonathan Ericsson ($0.900m) / Andreas Lilja ($1.000m)

Derek Meech ($0.500m)

Jimmy Howard ($0.717m) / Chris Osgood ($1.417m)

ROSTER: 22; PAYROLL: $57.213m; CAP ROOM: $0.087m BONUSES: $0.000m

It's pretty much a given that Kovalchuk signing here would be a pipe dream without even having to throw numbers and figures out. Would love to have him, but it's slim/none possible.

[DatsyukownzU13 1]

do not want. Kovy will always be a puckhog.

You don't watch him, do you? Just because he shoots a lot does not mean he's a puck hog. He has one of the most elite shots in the league and is a scoring winger, that's his role. He is a great passer and runs the power play extremely well. Anyone who doesn't want Kovalchuk due to anything other than monetary reasons is being silly. On top of the skill, he's also one of the most passionate players I've ever seen play in the NHL.

[stevkrause 1,247]

You don't watch him, do you? Just because he shoots a lot does not mean he's a puck hog. He has one of the most elite shots in the league and is a scoring winger, that's his role. He is a great passer and runs the power play extremely well. Anyone who doesn't want Kovalchuk due to anything other than monetary reasons is being silly. On top of the skill, he's also one of the most passionate players I've ever seen play in the NHL.

Dead on... if he were to come here for a discounted amount (6.5 mil or less a season) I would personally roll out the red carpet... he's an elite talent and would instantly improve any team he is on...

With that said, that team will not be the Wings for monetary reasons alone...

[kook_10 1,705]

You don't watch him, do you? Just because he shoots a lot does not mean he's a puck hog. He has one of the most elite shots in the league and is a scoring winger, that's his role. He is a great passer and runs the power play extremely well. Anyone who doesn't want Kovalchuk due to anything other than monetary reasons is being silly. On top of the skill, he's also one of the most passionate players I've ever seen play in the NHL.

I have watched him plenty this year. The Devils are the local team. When he first got here they were feeding him too much to get him his first goal. Then he started dishing it too much and the team suffered. The guy needs the puck to perform his best and for the team to benefit the most. Just because a guy can pass well doesn't mean he opts for it before he opts for himself or that is what is best for the team. He is a sniper first and foremost. He would cannibalize the production of his linemates. New Jersey became a worse team for his presence.

Edited April 27, 2010 by kook_10

[DatsyukownzU13 1]

Kovalchuk is obviously a bit of a pipe-dream, unless he is extremely serious about winning the Cup (enough so to take a pay cut that he wouldn't need to take on other teams with legitimate cup chances). Unless he loved his time in the Olympics playing on Datsyuk's wing (where they both weren't as impressive as I would have expected), I don't see him losing out on cash to go to a team that isn't as dominant as they once were.

More realistic UFA's that I would love to have would be:

- Tomas Plekanek (26 years old) - Last Contract: 2.6 million: We already have a plethora of capable centers and are in dire need of scoring wingers, so I doubt this will happen. I would be surprised to see Montreal let him get away regardless.

- Alexandre Frolov (27 years old) - Last Contract: 4 million: A little expensive, but I could see him fitting in decently on Datsyuk's wing if we could fit him in. Solid 2-way player who hasn't reached his alleged offensive potential completely, but has reached 30 goals on two separate occasions.

- Alexei Ponikarovsky (29 years old) - Last Contract: 2.5 million: Big, scoring winger that is good defensively as well. Stuck in the black hole that is Toronto for a while, which may have limited his offensive capabilities (although he isn't doing any better for Pittsburgh) but he still put up respectable numbers.

- Evgeny Artyukhin (26 years old) - Last Contract: 1 million: Obviously not as offensively talented as the previous three, but he is massive, fast and likes to throw big hits. He has talent if he can put it together and we all know players have a tendency to over-achieve when they play with the Wings.

If Lidstrom leaves:

- Paul Martin (28 years old) - Last Contract: 4.5 million: Sound defenseman with some inherent offensive instincts. I think he's more of an unknown due to the lack of publicity that the Devils get (until recently with Kovy), but he seems very reliable and would have a respectable salary.

- Zbynek Michalek (26 years old) - Last Contract: 1.5 million: I've heard that he's a great defenseman for 2 years now but was among those guilty of never watching the Coyotes. I've watched him a couple times during the season this year and in the playoffs (hasn't been as good as usual) and he definitely lives up to the hype. He's going to get a big raise, though.

- Dan Hamhuis (26 years old) - Last Contract: 2.5 million: Seems like he's been around for a while but he's only 26 years old. I thought he was great when he was a rookie and 2nd year player, but haven't watched him as much recently. Solid first pass and trustworthy in the defensive zone.

- Anton Volchenkov (27 years old) - Last Contract: 3.2 million: Great shot blocker and open ice hitter. Would probably solidify our defense as the most physical in the NHL (weird considering our perception in that area a couple years ago). Probably going to get a hefty raise, but he'd be a nice get.

Obviously none of those defensemen can fill the void left by Lidstrom (no one can besides maybe Drew Doughty or Duncan Keith for the time being), but they would round out our defense and give us three good pairings. Hopefully Kindl can live up to his draft hype.

[cupforwings 138]

New Jersey was a terrible fit for Kovy in my opinion.... Lemaire is all about a defense, like in Minnesota, and the team just has trouble scoring goals. Detroit would be a PERFECT fit for him. He would play with one of the highest skill passers/playmakers in the world with the best screener in the world in front of the net... That sounds like a good combo... Although it seems more likely he will go to a higher paying team like LA or Boston... He would be an idiot to even consider going to the "overpays crappy players and doesn't know how to build a team" Rangers. I'd certainly welcome him... who knows, maybe he'll pull a Marion Hossa

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

Kovalchuk is obviously a bit of a pipe-dream, unless he is extremely serious about winning the Cup (enough so to take a pay cut that he wouldn't need to take on other teams with legitimate cup chances). Unless he loved his time in the Olympics playing on Datsyuk's wing (where they both weren't as impressive as I would have expected), I don't see him losing out on cash to go to a team that isn't as dominant as they once were.

More realistic UFA's that I would love to have would be:

- Tomas Plekanek (26 years old) - Last Contract: 2.6 million: We already have a plethora of capable centers and are in dire need of scoring wingers, so I doubt this will happen. I would be surprised to see Montreal let him get away regardless.

- Alexandre Frolov (27 years old) - Last Contract: 4 million: A little expensive, but I could see him fitting in decently on Datsyuk's wing if we could fit him in. Solid 2-way player who hasn't reached his alleged offensive potential completely, but has reached 30 goals on two separate occasions.

- Alexei Ponikarovsky (29 years old) - Last Contract: 2.5 million: Big, scoring winger that is good defensively as well. Stuck in the black hole that is Toronto for a while, which may have limited his offensive capabilities (although he isn't doing any better for Pittsburgh) but he still put up respectable numbers.

- Evgeny Artyukhin (26 years old) - Last Contract: 1 million: Obviously not as offensively talented as the previous three, but he is massive, fast and likes to throw big hits. He has talent if he can put it together and we all know players have a tendency to over-achieve when they play with the Wings.

If Lidstrom leaves:

- Paul Martin (28 years old) - Last Contract: 4.5 million: Sound defenseman with some inherent offensive instincts. I think he's more of an unknown due to the lack of publicity that the Devils get (until recently with Kovy), but he seems very reliable and would have a respectable salary.

- Zbynek Michalek (26 years old) - Last Contract: 1.5 million: I've heard that he's a great defenseman for 2 years now but was among those guilty of never watching the Coyotes. I've watched him a couple times during the season this year and in the playoffs (hasn't been as good as usual) and he definitely lives up to the hype. He's going to get a big raise, though.

- Dan Hamhuis (26 years old) - Last Contract: 2.5 million: Seems like he's been around for a while but he's only 26 years old. I thought he was great when he was a rookie and 2nd year player, but haven't watched him as much recently. Solid first pass and trustworthy in the defensive zone.

- Anton Volchenkov (27 years old) - Last Contract: 3.2 million: Great shot blocker and open ice hitter. Would probably solidify our defense as the most physical in the NHL (weird considering our perception in that area a couple years ago). Probably going to get a hefty raise, but he'd be a nice get.

Obviously none of those defensemen can fill the void left by Lidstrom (no one can besides maybe Drew Doughty or Duncan Keith for the time being), but they would round out our defense and give us three good pairings. Hopefully Kindl can live up to his draft hype.

I'd kill myself if we got Artyukhin.He takes WAY too many stupid,unnecessary penalties.I'd like to see Detroit sign a guy like Andy Sutton.

[Guest Crymson]

I'd kill myself if we got Artyukhin.He takes WAY too many stupid,unnecessary penalties.

You don't value your life very much, do you?

[cjm502 165]

So what I have been saying since I joined this forum might just be true? Kovalchuk not a Wing? Wow, that was a tough prediction.

[Doc Holliday 1,888]

I'd kill myself if we got Artyukhin.He takes WAY too many stupid,unnecessary penalties.I'd like to see Detroit sign a guy like Andy Sutton.

Are you an expert?

[Guest REDWINGSFTW]

Why does this thread state the obvious? Might as well write ''crosby will not be a redwing''

[Red Wings 2010 9]

I only like Kovalchuk because he hates crysby.