bconnan

The idea is that they move Campbell, Sharp or Huet in return for Kovalchuk. Kovy obviously wouldn't re-sign, it would purely be the ultimate playoff run. Brian Burke apparently said earlier today that the number for Kovalchuk being floated around is 10 years, 85 million. Which puts him in the realm of possibility IF Lidstrom retires and Filppula is traded.

Ovechkin-Fedorov-Semin Kovalchuk-Malkin-Afinogenov Zaripov-Datsyuk-Morozov I don't think its a matter of love, its a matter of only having so much puck to go around.

Source: Anyone that watches the national team. Ovechkin-Fedorov-Semin has been their best line over the last three years. Datsyuk is the best center for a checking role.

You see it constantly on this site, people talking about Fedorov like he was riding Yzerman's coattails or that he was an overpaid second rate player or the most ridiculous that he couldn't play on this team any longer. Fedorov is going to be centering Ovechkin and Semin in Vancouver. Datsyuk is going to be on the "checking line" with Morozov and Zaripov. Anyone who thinks Canada stands a chance is out of their minds.

Holmstrom should NOT be on the top line. Cleary or Miller should get that spot until Franzen comes back.

If anything Datsyuk should be getting more ice time.. Every other super star in the league is routinely playing 24 minutes a game.

Keyword being "rumor". I actually wouldn't have a problem paying Kovalchuk $9 million a season but only if Franzen was moved. Kovalchuk at or around Lidstrom money is affordable and do-able if you move Filppula and Lidstrom and Holmstrom retire.

Miller needs to be signed long term. A Miller - Helm - Eaves line going forward is great to me.

Jiri Hudler was playing on the third line.. Franzen was scoring goals in bunches as was Zetterberg. Remove Lidstrom from that team and they're a contender. This alleged talent gap that Lidstrom retiring leaves cannot be proven. People were saying the same thing about Yzerman and Fedorov. In the cap world, Lidstrom is replaceable. If he were playing at an insanely discounted price, you may have a point but being one of the top paid players in the league and highest on this team dictates some sort of responsibility for its PRESENT performance. The past has nothing to do with it. Of course, im sure Nick will think about "Raising his kids in Sweden" when new contract talks start...

Other players have nothing to do with the discussion, when Lidstrom regresses or gets visibly worse, his past performance is brought up. If Datsyuk struggles, hes terrible and should be traded but Lidstrom is going to be average and plays "Stellar defensively" so its perfectly fine that the captain of the team and highest paid player isn't playing up to par. While that greedy Russian floats around the ice, tied to the Golden Sweede's(Zetterberg) ankle. Age, teammates and comparable players were never brought up when he signed a two year deal @ $7.5 per. Lidstrom is being paid to be THE BEST defenseman in the league and he has not, for some time now.

Earn nearly $100 million dollars over twenty years playing a child's game?

The only player on this team I would want Williams taking a spot from is Leino. Willliams is like Samuelsson but with less skill.

I find it amusing because even when Datsyuk isn't scoring, his defensive play is still above Zetterberg's. When Zetterberg isn't scoring, you could go all night without hearing his name. Datsyuk is stripping the puck 4-5 times a game, breaking up plays in his own end and winning crucial faceoffs. All Datsyuk needs is for players like Zetterberg for example, to actually start scoring. Put Adam Oates on a team full of third liners with hands of stone and see how well he produces..

$250,000 makes up for the fact that hes having a horrendous season? "Steller defense" isn't going to win games. Lidstrom is being paid to be effective at both ends of the ice, consistently. The key word being consistency, not occasionally. Defensive defenseman do not get paid $7.5 million per season.