Ilya Kovalchuk (Rumor Update: 01/02/10) Post #432

[RangerFan10]

Originally Posted by f2d

If that's the case then they can probably use it to make him waive the no trade clause (if we found a team dumb enough to take him...).

"Either waive the no-trade or you're playing in the minors"

Redden sure doesnt play like he wants to be in the NHL. The effort level isn't there.

He's still an NHL player, but no one is going to want him even at $3.25 mil. He's the type of player who would get $1.5-2mil maximum, and no longer than 2 years if he hit the FA market. Someone would pick him up as their 5th or 6th d-man, but not at a great price.

No one is going to trade for him at $6.5 for 4 years, nor do I think anyone will take him at $3.25 through re-entry waivers(and why not just buy him out and only have to deal with the cap hit of $3mil+ for 4 years and spread the hit out?

[RangerFan10]

Originally Posted by f2d

The effort level isn't there.

And how would you really even know this? You don't see the practices, there's not exactly a ton of reports saying Redden's halfassing it...he clearly does care about playing considering when he was a scratch he was pretty annoyed to not be in the lineup and wanted to do what was necessary to get out there.

I feel as though fans have a difference telling the difference between just being slow and not trying. Redden was never fast to begin with. Just because he lacks some speed doesn't mean he's not trying.

[Radek27]

Originally Posted by RangerFan10

And how would you really even know this? You don't see the practices, there's not exactly a ton of reports saying Redden's halfassing it...he clearly does care about playing considering when he was a scratch he was pretty annoyed to not be in the lineup and wanted to do what was necessary to get out there.

I feel as though fans have a difference telling the difference between just being slow and not trying. Redden was never fast to begin with. Just because he lacks some speed doesn't mean he's not trying.

All I know he is not the same player I seen break in with the Isles and play in Ottawa for a decade. He's lost something along the way here and I don't think it's speed.

I'm not sure which is more scary. That we didn't bother to scout this guy before giving him this insane contract, or that we did scout him and felt he was worth being one of the highest paid defenders in the sport.

[Khelvan]

Originally Posted by D713B

I feel like I'm rambling because I need to get some sleep right now. My point boils down to, it's possible for Kovy to get a max contract and play for a competitive team.

I believe that if his goal is to play on a team that has the best chance of winning, seeking a max contract is not in his best interest. The question is not if the team can be competitive...assuming his goal is to have the best chance of winning the Cup, the question is whether the team can be a contender while paying him the salary cap max.

I don't think the answer is yes, especially considering that the players you name, who will be getting better, will be seeking their own high-value contracts.

[D713B]

Originally Posted by Khelvan

I believe that if his goal is to play on a team that has the best chance of winning, seeking a max contract is not in his best interest. The question is not if the team can be competitive...assuming his goal is to have the best chance of winning the Cup, the question is whether the team can be a contender while paying him the salary cap max.

I don't think the answer is yes, especially considering that the players you name, who will be getting better, will be seeking their own high-value contracts.

Kane is signed for three seasons and won't get much of a raise from his $3.1M as an RFA. Same for Bogosian who is an RFA in two years and already makes $3.375M. Their core isn't going anywhere, they've locked them up and they're shedding dead weight. Johan Hedberg has displayed how good that team can be when they get average goal tending.

Theoretically they could give Kovy his max contract today, still have enough cap space to trade for Jean-Sebastian Giguere and I guarantee that team would be a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs.

I don't understand the logic that if they're freeing up ~13M in dead space this off-season, with the cap rising ~1M, that they can't get a goal tender, a 4-6 defenseman and re-sign Colby Armstrong and Afinigenov. All that can be accomplished with the ~14M and Kovalchuk already signed to $10M.

That's honestly as good of a team he'll be apart of wherever he chooses to go. How many teams can even offer him an $8-9M (market value) contract right now and be as competitive? Not many, if any.

I'm not campaigning for him to stay in Atlanta but the ideas that a max contract kills his chances of playing for a competitive franchise are unfounded.

Edit: Are the Capitals a contender?

[nyr2k2]

This sucker is over 1000 posts now, gotta close it. Do you guys want another Kovalchuk thread now, or should we just wait until there's actual news?

[BrandNewDream]

Originally Posted by nyr2k2

This sucker is over 1000 posts now, gotta close it. Do you guys want another Kovalchuk thread now, or should we just wait until there's actual news?

Personally, I don't see any more than mere speculation from here until something actually breaks. Keep it for those who want to debate. New thread upon news.

[we want cup]

I'd just make one. Otherwise there will be "GET KOVY!!!!!!!!!11" threads popping up everywhere within a couple of hours, anyway. Having a designated thread at least controls the madness.