by Kristina Ashqar, AllHabs.net
MONTREAL, QC. — Gone are the days of mid-season blockbuster trades in this post-lock out NHL salary cap era but such does not preclude the hypothetical conversation of possible trades and acquisitions by the Montreal Canadiens.
With the arrival of Alex Kovalev back to the Bell Centre for a Tuesday night matchup against his former team why not kick around the idea of the Canadiens organization making a move to re-acquire the recently departed Artiste?
In 28 games played this season, the enigmatic right winger has amassed seven goals and seven assists for a total of 14 points. Those numbers are good enough for second in scoring behind Daniel Alfredsson on a team that is the third worst in the league in goals scored per game. In his first season as a Senator, Kovalev finished with 49 points and was the fourth leading scorer on the team.
Not too bad for a 37 year-old who has had two surgically repaired knees and has missed only nine regular season games in the last two seasons.
With the confirmation that Andrei Markov will be out for the remainder of the season, Kovalev and his $5 M yearly cap hit suddenly becomes a player with a contract that is in the realm of possibility for the Canadiens. Couple that with the fact that Kovalev is on the last year of his two-year contract, the Canadiens really have nothing to lose when considering the long-term if they were to make a move with GM Bryan Murray.
Over the last five seasons Kovalev has averaged 62 points in the regular season and collected 41 points in 51 playoff games, now doesn’t that sound like a winger the Canadiens can benefit from?
Through 27 games this season Scott Gomez has centered Travis Moen more often than any other winger on the team. Known for his grittiness and energy, it is clear that Moen does not fit the bill as a top two line winger. His career high point total of 21 points seems to say it all.
It would seem that Kovalev’s skill set, ability to score, and his undeniable talent of being a gamebreaker would be far more appropriate to help bolster the struggling Gomez as opposed to having him continue to play alongside a prototypical third line player hoping that he will find his game. Doesn’t a second line of Cammalleri – Gomez – Kovalev have a much better ring to it?
But in addition to his ability to create masterpieces as L’Artiste, Kovalev brings with him an uncanny ability to just disappear on the ice like a magicien on some nights. This perhaps has been the most perplexing and frustrating aspect of Kovalev’s game when considering his talent level.
If the price where right on a deal, is that part of his game something the Canadiens can live with, again?
There is one thing that is certain in this entire equation. Kovalev’s love for the city of Montreal and playing for the most storied franchise in the league is unequivocal. But is that love enough to motivate Kovalev to play inspired hockey if given the opportunity to pull a CH sweater over his head one more time?
Maybe AK27 would like to think so.
The Canadiens would be much better off going after Milan Hejduk.
I don’t disagree. Milan Hejduk is a legitimate top 6 winger and he is currently on pace for a 95 point season. His $3 M cap hit in the last season of his contract is also far more manageable than Kovalev’s $5 M. The price to pay for Hejduk may be too steep though…
I think the Habs are much better without Kovalev than with him. While his skill level is off the chart, his effort, intensity and consistency make him a liability. Add the cap hit, his age and his lack of speed now, and he doesn’t fit with the team we have…
Kovalev is in the twilight of his career, and considering his current ability, he wouldn’t be much of a fit on the Habs’ current roster. Couple that with the fact GM Bryan Murray may ask for a prospect like Pacioretty or Desharnais and the price is just too high.
Hedjuk is still a great player, but he wouldn’t fit on a team like the Canadiens, who have a defense first philosophy. Although Hedjuk was no slouch when it comes to defensive play early in his career, his age is starting to show a tad.
I would just wait for now.
Bringing Kovalev back might just be the worst idea the Canadiens could possibly entertain. Why would they want to bring back a guy who somehow almost became bigger than the team in the hearts and minds in the fanbase when Gainey did SUCH a great job in building a team full of guys that are pulling in the same direction?
Even if Kovalev decided to fall in line and be a “team first” guy, the wackos that protested at the Bell Center for his return would no doubt scream for him to once again become the centerpiece of the team.
No way. I wouldn’t even take him for free, or for a 7th round pick. He’s currently helping to sink a divisional opponent, why would we want to alleviate them of that anchor?
Add to that the fact that we’d have 2 players (Kovalev and Gomez) that may or may not show up and live up to their combined 12M+ salary cap hit, and it’s a recipe for disaster.
We haven’t even discussed where he fits in to the lineup. Kovalev’s greatest successes as a Hab came with Plekenec and Kostitsyn, but so were his greatest failures. Would Martin be forced to break up a great line to make l’artiste happy? He’d be insane to do that! Which means he’d have to play with Gomez. This is a bit like Lebron having to play with Wade. Both guys need the puck in order to be effective, otherwise they’re just getting in each other’s way.
As much as I admire Kovalev for his mind blowing skills and for the man he is off the ice, I can’t think of a poorer match for the 2010-2011 edition of the Canadiens.
All your points are very well taken, Kyle. I wrote the article hoping to spark comments such as yours and comments made by others , clearly I succeeded.
To be frank, I don’t think Gauthier will make a move anytime soon – he seems to be applying the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality given the Habs’ success so far, without Markov no less. I am not sure I agree with that – the need for the Habs in the lineup is a top 6 winger and a GM is much better versed making a trade when his team is winning rather then when the team is losing and he is desperate… Whether that player is Kovalev or not will remain to be seen.
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