would I trade Kovalev ......

Forum Fan · Veteran Member

would I trade Kovalev ......

barry33 · Guru

Forum Fan wrote:

without question ! , he has not done enough to earn the $ he is being paid , and it's only a downhill slide from here , his age is becoming a factor , his production may improve next year , but only if the habs can find a big centre to fit in with Kovalev .....but personally I don't think the Habs got their money's worth and never will ...........Gainey has made mistakes and this is one of them

Kovalev is a world class player..my issue has always been that his work ethic is NOT world class.

24 Rings · Guru

He is the only player who can break the game open with his skill. Carolina simply keyed on him and took away all of Montreal's offense. There is no question that his desire is certainly lacking (except when he is going on the offensive), but we don't have anyone else to provide that offensive spark.

Key Lime · Guru

24 Rings wrote:

He is the only player who can break the game open with his skill. Carolina simply keyed on him and took away all of Montreal's offense. There is no question that his desire is certainly lacking (except when he is going on the offensive), but we don't have anyone else to provide that offensive spark.

Well, I agree that we don't have anyone YET to provide that offensive spark but by trading him with a Zednik or Ribero etc...you will definately get a player highly talented player.

My first option would to NOT trade him. If we can pickup players through free agency, all the better.

Muller93 · Guru

NO.

He was forced to play with Ribeiro. Not exactly world class help. Once Koivu went down, they just focused on a two man shadow...Even Mario Lemieux himself would have troubles with that kind of mugging.

Give the guy one year in which we have the Ryder-Koivu-Higgins line along with Kovalev along with our new center(first line).

Kovalev can crack games wide open if he is surrounded by a decent crew. I would not lose a guy like that just yet.

Ando · Guru

Muller93 wrote:

NO.

Mulsey and And-o agree completely..............and this scares the hell out of And-o!!!

norskipaul · Senior Member

Ando wrote:

Muller93 wrote: NO. Mulsey and And-o agree completely..............and this scares the hell out of And-o!!!

Never thought I'd see the day, nice one, guys!

I agree, too...

Saku11 · Senior Member

Forum Fan wrote:

without question ! , he has not done enough to earn the $ he is being paid , and it's only a downhill slide from here , his age is becoming a factor , his production may improve next year , but only if the habs can find a big centre to fit in with Kovalev .....but personally I don't think the Habs got their money's worth and never will ...........Gainey has made mistakes and this is one of them

So are you saying Koivu should also be traded???? Because if you look at stats and compare the two, KOvalev had less games and more points, on the other hand Koivu had more games less points!!!! This is a mute point in my opinion. No disrespect intended Forum!

JohnM · Guru

No we shouldn't trade Kovy, he is one of the guys on this team who can bring it when it matters. We need other guys who can step up there game at crucial times and show the younger kids what it takes to succeed.

So let's get rid of the soft players like well you know and bring in more heart...

plouf · Guru

Saku11 wrote:

Forum Fan wrote:
without question ! , he has not done enough to earn the $ he is being paid , and it's only a downhill slide from here , his age is becoming a factor , his production may improve next year , but only if the habs can find a big centre to fit in with Kovalev .....but personally I don't think the Habs got their money's worth and never will ...........Gainey has made mistakes and this is one of them
So are you saying Koivu should also be traded???? Because if you look at stats and compare the two, KOvalev had less games and more points, on the other hand Koivu had more games less points!!!! This is a mute point in my opinion. No disrespect intended Forum!

This is a pretty superficial analysis. Kovalev is there to put up points, period. Koivu is there for a variety of reasons.
Obviously Kovalev is a more talented offensive player than Koivu. In fact, he can be a total force, and I agree with Muller and And-o that we should keep him and get another good centre so we can have two convincing lines.

rwp2le · Guru

Kovalev isn't going anywhere, well except to the top of our scoring chart again, and next year will be another filled with contreversy surrounding Alexei. Neither Ribs not Bulis can bring out even a fraction of the talent he has, bring him a good center and he could score 90 to 100 points, I would say 80, but according to his stats, which seem to be quoted an awful lot, he would have had 79 points if he had played 82 games, maybe that will shut some of you up.

Jay1982 · Guru

As GM, I'd concentrate on bringing in a top centerman, a good d-man, and replacing one of the 2 goalies (by bringing up Danis) who won't be here next season. All the while unloading on a few wingers, as well as making trades for those wingers.

skov1044 · Member

absolutely

4.5 million for 65 points

habs did not get there money worth ,i have ranted about this since they resigned him ,i thought the contract was a horrible move by gainey considering he will be 36 the last yr of his contract

i have even gone as far as saying he is way over rated ,

get rid of him now when he has value

AB Habman · Guru

Do you guys think it's really a matter of playing with a top centerman? I think alot of the problem is his style. The guy didn't play any better with Saks than Ribs. He's a one man show and doesn't use his linemates well and doesn't go to the net without the puck well. Very skilled but lacking some hockey sense.

I think he would produce a little better with an elite center but it may not be respective to the skill the center brings.

I've said this many times but Kovy is a selfish player that plays his best when stroked properly. Gainey traded for him and probably knew this but may not of stroked him just right during these playoffs. He's a finnicky player!

After saying all that, he's our most talented player

Saku11 · Senior Member

I cant believe this.....Kovalev has singled handedly won games for us this year, and you guys are pointing fingers at him???? Getting Rid of KOvalev is no way at all a solution, This guy is unbelievable, just get someone that can keep up with him......not Ribeiro!

Habs and Avs Fan · Veteran Member

Saku11 wrote:

I cant believe this.....Kovalev has singled handedly won games for us this year, and you guys are pointing fingers at him???? Getting Rid of KOvalev is no way at all a solution, This guy is unbelievable, just get someone that can keep up with him......not Ribeiro!

I frickin know man. LISTEN he was even playing injured and STILL led us in points, he's a big game player, scores important goals. He was our best player in the playoffs maybe not the season because it was all about Huet and his majic. OMG I can't believe you guys pointing fingers at Kovy...... GIVE HIM a star sniper not Bulis or Zed and give him a good center no ribs. = 100 pt. season like he almost had in Pittsburgh with 96pts. 44goals. Enough of Kovy talk, Montreal will sign him before anyone else.

Cleghorn · Veteran Member

He quit in Game 6 - if Mario Tremblay was coaching or Nilan was still in uniform he would have been physically assaulted!! I am not joking.

Fatherhab · Senior Member

Personally, I think Kovalev has a heart problem, he has a valve that intermittently turns on and off depending on his mood. It might be contagious, as I see Markov was not always into giving 100%. Nothing better than good ole Canadian boys in the lineup----go get'em BG

Saku11 · Senior Member

Cleghorn wrote:

He quit in Game 6 - if Mario Tremblay was coaching or Nilan was still in uniform he would have been physically assaulted!! I am not joking.

as i recall he was benched by Gainey, he didnt quit. Who does he have to play with???? NOBODY!!!!!!!!!!

redlightmike · Member

This is exactly what i'm talking about........... everyone taking shots at people who don't deserve it. Kovalev has been the one shining star for us this year and some of you are still on his ass. If i want to keep just ONE player on this team, it's AK

Fatherhab · Senior Member

Fooled ya, I actually got you to read what I said and respond to it. Never had an opportunity to take Marketing 101, had to work for a living!

MC Girl · Guru

redlightmike wrote:

This is exactly what i'm talking about........... everyone taking shots at people who don't deserve it. Kovalev has been the one shining star for us this year and some of you are still on his ass. If i want to keep just ONE player on this team, it's AK

Beautifully put redlightmike.

Cleghorn · Veteran Member

Saku11 wrote:

as i recall he was benched by Gainey, he didnt quit. Who does he have to play with???? NOBODY!!!!!!!!!!

I watched the 6th game - he had his ice time reduced - when he got ice time he seemed to me to intentionally not put out. When your benched for a shift or two, you've got two options when the tap on your shoulder finally comes, the one you look for in a competitor - the adult decision, prove him wrong, prove your damned good at your profession - the other option is often the choice of the petulant child - he chose the wrong option.

You think a team like our Habs that will not blame others for the loss - will not hide behind bad reffing or an upsetting injury to their leader - is going to keep Alexi Kovalev, who I believe quit because he didn't like what the coach did??

I've never criticized him before - just always saw him as hot and cold - but in Game 6 he reacted to his coach's discipline by quitting. I'll shed no tears when he's gone.

MC Girl · Guru

Cleghorn wrote:

I've never criticized him before - just always saw him as hot and cold - but in Game 6 he reacted to his coach's discipline by quitting. I'll shed no tears when he's gone.

Regardless of what's been said in this thread, he's done the best thus far.

He is amazingly skilled, can make the puck do what he wants (providing his knee holds up) & has shown more heart in the first two games of the playoffs then some guys have all year. If he had talent along side him, he might have been able to do more. Remember how much we missed him in early winter???? Take him out of the equation & what's left? A team with a kick ass goalie.... but not much else.

You need not shed a tear... he's not going anywhere (unless of course that makes you cry) Lord don't let me eat my words LOL

Habtastic · Guru

I am with you, Clegger. Kovy is a world-class TALENT, but until he brings it every game and starts showing some maturity, he will not be the consistent game breaker we need. I am really on the fence with him; I would like to see how he reacts with a room-making center, but I also wouldn't be upset to see him go if the return is solid.

Habtastic

Fatherhab · Senior Member

MC Girl- Exactly what we've been talking about, he shows up for 2 games,and then disappears, we missed him the remaining 4 games of this series. He turns it on and off, how else do you explain his cameo appearances. At least Huet shows up game in and game out. There is no question about it, Kovy is the most talented player on this team, but when the boss sends you out there to lead the team, as from time to time has proven he can do, and he doesn't because he is miffed, what kind of example does he show the young guys on this team. Kovy is no rookie, and should show leadership when Saku is out. You need your best players to play there best, and Kovy didn't. Stop making excuses for him. Bottom line is, he gave up. We also know that he from time to time can show emotion(Tucker)...........hmm just another turn it on/turn it off example.

MC Girl · Guru

Fatherhab wrote:

MC Girl- Exactly what we've been talking about, he shows up for 2 games,and then disappears, we missed him the remaining 4 games of this series. He turns it on and off, how else do you explain his cameo appearances. At least Huet shows up game in and game out. There is no question about it, Kovy is the most talented player on this team, but when the boss sends you out there to lead the team, as from time to time has proven he can do, and he doesn't because he is miffed, what kind of example does he show the young guys on this team. Kovy is no rookie, and should show leadership when Saku is out. You need your best players to play there best, and Kovy didn't. Stop making excuses for him. Bottom line is, he gave up. We also know that he from time to time can show emotion(Tucker)...........hmm just another turn it on/turn it off example.

No excuses needed by me.

OK, so the long answer didn't work. Question was... Would you trade Kovy... my short answer is NO!!! There are about 10+ others players I'd trade long before Kovalev.

& don't bring Huet into this.... I LOVE HUET!!! HE IS OUR FUTURE... but I (along with others) saw some fluky goals & bad rebounds during the playoffs (& some in reg. season) from him. Don't get me wrong, Huet rocked too, kept us in it... but so did Kovy. If you are gonna bag on Kovy for not bringing 100% consistently to the playoffs (reg. season) then don't praise another player for not bringing 100% consistently. Kovy & Huet had the biggest roles in bringing us to & keeping us in the playoffs. Without him, we would've been golfing right along side Tucker.

IMHO, Rib's was little (to no) help for the guy... I'd be a bit miffed if I kept setting someone up with beauty passes all season just to have him screw up the chances for a goal. Then, when he doesn't pass, he gets flack for being a puck hog. Damned if you do damned if you don't.

As for him not being hurt, this worries me. If he was not hurt (like it's been said) there might be something else up. I saw him favoring his knee starting at the end of game 2 right through to game 6 & he also fell down more in game 6 than in any other game I've seen all year. (Even before his surgery) Either he is hurt & isn't saying it, or there is issues with his ego/Bob.

Rest assured, if the latter is true, he's not the only player in the NHL to have an ego & come to heads with the coach.... not a reason to trade him. He's got the entire off season to mull over what just happened & why. Especially since the word now is that Carbo is the coach. People play differently when changes like this are made. He has the talent, he's proven his ability (visually & statistically) & we know he can show heart when it matters (i.e. vs the Leafs).... don't cast aside a great player because he showed "lack of heart" from time to time this season, if we did... there'd be no one left on our team.

redlightmike · Member

hey Fatherhab....... who scored the only hab goal in game 5 all by himself, at a point where it was impossible for any of the other hacks on this team to get one by Ward? that's right. Kovalev. He had an amazing point total this season. What more do you want from the guy..... kill penalties? go in net? He probably could have made that save on Brind'Amour that cost us the series, or that wonderful OT goal that sent us packing (speaking of Huet, the supposed man who never lets us down).

Habs and Avs Fan · Veteran Member

Fatherhab wrote:

MC Girl- Exactly what we've been talking about, he shows up for 2 games,and then disappears, we missed him the remaining 4 games of this series. He turns it on and off, how else do you explain his cameo appearances. At least Huet shows up game in and game out. There is no question about it, Kovy is the most talented player on this team, but when the boss sends you out there to lead the team, as from time to time has proven he can do, and he doesn't because he is miffed, what kind of example does he show the young guys on this team. Kovy is no rookie, and should show leadership when Saku is out. You need your best players to play there best, and Kovy didn't. Stop making excuses for him. Bottom line is, he gave up. We also know that he from time to time can show emotion(Tucker)...........hmm just another turn it on/turn it off example.

You obviously don't know anything ..... Kovy is the man in Montreal him and Huet make up our team..... HELLOOOOOOOOOOO he was playing hurt too WTF do you want from him Goddamn..... Put Kovy and ANY other team I'm sorry but the habs have no set up man for him since he doesn't play with Saks., any other team he'll be a lot better and he's already a 1 man show, imagine.

Fatherhab · Senior Member

Redlight- First you would have to give Kovalev a map to find the the defensive zone. It would be considered foreign territory requiring Kovalev to show his passport to enter the area. Give me a break, great year-thats a laugh-- 24 goals wow, for a guy that plays every powerplay, maybe we should re-acquire Tucker who had more goals and has a semblance of a heart at least.

Bottomline - trade him