Well done Ilya! After all, he himself told Hartley that he wanted to be the best player in the NHL, and I don't mean in a cocky way- he just wanted to do his best.
1 goal, 2 assists. Not too shabby for a 20 yr old!
Randy Robitaille has looked very good centering Ilya - he has definite skills and just might do a servicable job on our top line in Savard's absence.
I'm just wondering if Patrik Stefan shouldn't get the opportunity. He was the No. 1 overall pick in 1999, and the Thrashers have invested a lot more time and money in him than Robitaille. But has Stefan used up all his opportunities in Atlanta?
Stefan got his chance to center Ilya through the first seven games or so and didn't do much with the opportunity.
I wouldn't say he's used up all his chances, but he's definitely getting close. He may need a change of scenery in order to really unlock his potential, ala Jokinen, Naslund, etc.
This guy just continues to keep amazing me, very exciting to think that we could witnessing a kid thats so young that could develop into the best Russian player ever.
While I do appreciate this kid putting the franchise on his shoulders and running with it, people are not to happy with continual posts about players accomplishments on a nightly basis.
Me... I couldn't care less cause I am a huge Kovolchuk fan... but others might not like it so be warned.
Uuh.. Spezza is a rookie, Kovalchuk is in his 3rd year. If you want to compare stats, take Kovalchuk's rookie stats and compare those to the current numbers Spezza is recording.
Uuh.. Spezza is a rookie, Kovalchuk is in his 3rd year. If you want to compare stats, take Kovalchuk's rookie stats and compare those to the current numbers Spezza is recording.
Not even then. Spezza doesn't have the franchise resting on his shoulders. With Heatley two years back, they made up the only major offensive threat on the team. Spezza's overshadowed (I use this term loosely) by a lot more star power, which as people have already said, takes his role down along with his (powerplay) minutes.
Not even then. Spezza doesn't have the franchise resting on his shoulders. With Heatley two years back, they made up the only major offensive threat on the team. Spezza's overshadowed (I use this term loosely) by a lot more star power, which as people have already said, takes his role down along with his (powerplay) minutes.
Never said it would be close then, just take more factors into account when comparing stats of 2 certain players. It's like:
Any comparisons between Kovalchuk and Spezza are unfair at this point.
1. Kovalchuk plays a lot more minutes
2. Spezza is surrounded by much better talent
3. Kovalchuk is in his 3rd year, Spezza is a rookie
4. Kovalchuk is carrying the franchise on his back, Spezza is one of the foot soldiers.
Completely different situations. Who knows how Kovalchuk would have reacted had he been treated by the organizationa like "any other guy" (although I strongly believe that he would have made the Sens at 18, and would have been an impact player for them). And who knows how Spezza would have reacted if the hopes of an entire franchise rested on his sholders.
Now to Kovalchuk. WOW. His stats are impressive. But his hard work is even more impressive. He is a man (a boy?) on a mission.
He is the man, plain and simple. A 20 year old kid carrying this team on his back through tragedy and injury. He is accomplishing something spectacular this year. Keep up the good work Ilya!
Any comparisons between Kovalchuk and Spezza are unfair at this point.
1. Kovalchuk plays a lot more minutes
2. Spezza is surrounded by much better talent
3. Kovalchuk is in his 3rd year, Spezza is a rookie
4. Kovalchuk is carrying the franchise on his back, Spezza is one of the foot soldiers.
Completely different situations. Who knows how Kovalchuk would have reacted had he been treated by the organizationa like "any other guy" (although I strongly believe that he would have made the Sens at 18, and would have been an impact player for them). And who knows how Spezza would have reacted if the hopes of an entire franchise rested on his sholders.
Now to Kovalchuk. WOW. His stats are impressive. But his hard work is even more impressive. He is a man (a boy?) on a mission.
Agreed. Kovalchuk has clearly distinguished himself as one of the league's best talents. Let's stop the comparisons with Spezza. Kovalchuk should be compared with the Forsberg's, Thorton's and Naslunds in the league. Quite simply, he is in their category already (perhaps exceeding?).
Spezza still has to work his way there, and needs the opportunities to do so, which he's now starting to get. I think he will eventually, but until then, he should be compared with other "future stars" of the league, not the "superstars" like Kovalchuk.
Well you can't really say Spezza will gain on Kovalchuk simply because Spezza is a rookie and Kovy is in his 3rd year.
They are the same age. Kovalchuk is all of 2 months older. They went in the same draft. Simple fact is, kids who start dominating early on in age in the NHL often become the truly special players. The fact that Kovy is in his 3rd year and Spezza is in his first should just be another sign that they aren't the same caliber of talent.
Two guys who started dominating at age 20 in the NHL were some fellas named Gretsky and Lemieux. Well Gretsky was dominant at 18 but you know what I am saying. Guys who develop at extremely young ages often become true superstars.
Kovalchuk, at the same age, is far more advanced then Spezza and I don't think Spezza is going to close the gap anytime soon. If anything, I think Kovalchuk will develop even more of a gap between Spezza and himself these next few years.
I was one of the guys that picked Kovalchuk over Heatley although it was a very anguished choice on my part. I think he's the most talented out of the young talented crop in the NHL.
After all, he himself told Hartley that he wanted to be the best player in the NHL, and I don't mean in a cocky way- he just wanted to do his best.
