Trading for a Centreman

Fatherhab · Senior Member

Trading for a Centreman

MC Girl · Guru

Nope... I like 'im.

barry33 · Guru

Fatherhab wrote:

Just a thought here- Would you trade Kovalev for an equivalent (production wise and same salary range) Centreman?

In a heartbeat.

Key Lime · Guru

If the organization wnats to stop having a team who fights for 7th or 8th spot every year, it would be a good start. Kovalev and Abby for...

Diehardhabsfan · Veteran Member

Crosby, hahahaha

barry33 · Guru

To me, Kovalev has not shown that he cares enough to show up most nights. His attitude just plain sucks. THe other night on a 2 on one the puck was coming across to him and Komi happened to get it and shoot it before it could get to Kovalev. Kovalev proceeded to shake his head as he skated back to the bench. Look, we need a center. And real, legitimate stud centers will not come without a price (so stop throwing the "ya we will trade Bonk and Murray and Abby for a center" rhetoric). To get a game breaker you need to give a game breaker. We have more depth at wing than we do at center.

Fatherhab · Senior Member

My thoughts are for Modano- He is very unhappy in Dallas right now, management has totally embarrassed him by removing the "C" and tells me they are moving in a new direction. He has all the attributes. What do you think of that?

MC Girl · Guru

barry33 wrote:

To me, Kovalev has not shown that he cares enough to show up most nights. His attitude just plain sucks. THe other night on a 2 on one the puck was coming across to him and Komi happened to get it and shoot it before it could get to Kovalev. Kovalev proceeded to shake his head as he skated back to the bench. Look, we need a center. And real, legitimate stud centers will not come without a price (so stop throwing the "ya we will trade Bonk and Murray and Abby for a center" rhetoric). To get a game breaker you need to give a game breaker. We have more depth at wing than we do at center.

My view of the game.... had Komi not intercepted that pass (which is what everyone wants... unity between the three) we may have gotten the win.

-- Edited by MC Girl at 10:24, 2006-10-08

MC Girl · Guru

.... AND.... why bring in a center if Kovy's not gonna be on that line to play w/ him? Who's gonna take his place?

-- Edited by MC Girl at 10:16, 2006-10-08

Peart_2112 · Veteran Member

I think before I put Kovy on the block I would try some line shuffling. I would move Johnson up to the second line as he has shown a good work ethic and a willingness to take the body when needed. Move Sammy down to the third line and see what happens. I just hate to see Kovy traded even though he has that Russian disease like Malakhov had......best player on the ice.....when he wants to be.

habgirl · Guru

barry33 wrote:

In a heartbeat.

Ditto that, big guy. I like Kovy WHEN HE SHOWS UP. His attitude, in my opinion, can be just as big as his talent. That will cost us. Two games in and I can't count how many times I have hollered at my TV for him to pay attention and play the game he's paid big bucks for.

Talented? You betcha. Motivated? Nope.

MC Girl · Guru

Remember - Team scoring leader from last year?....Lazy or not... he's our best.

I can't believe we are 2 bloody games in & this is already the prognosis? Trade him? ..... To each his own I guess.

Let's look @ the stats thus far.... since these two games have decided his entire season.....

- Higgins - 1 g, 2a, 3points

- Koivu - 2 g, 1 a, 3 points

- Kovalev - 0 g, 2 a, 2 points (along with Souray, Ryder & Markov)

Hmm... let's face it.... you guys just aren't happy unless you are blamin' someone.

3 out of 4 points the season... sounds good so far.

No he doesn't have a goal yet... but he's got points on the board. If you base a players worth by # of goals in the first 2 games.... well then this league is full of worthless players.

Point is .... he's doin' some settin' up for other players to get the goal, if he didn't do that, you'd all complain that he's hoggin' the puck.

Damned if ya do & damned if ya don't.

-- Edited by MC Girl at 11:19, 2006-10-08

barry33 · Guru

It is nothing personal, simply addressing a need. All I want is for the guy to show that he wants to play here. He has not. And yes it is only 2 games in but he is simply picking up here he left off last season. Yes he lead theteam in scoring last year. But there were several players on the team that had more goals than he did (Ryder for one). With the talent that Kovy has, he needs to hang is head in shame that a boy from Bona Vista Nefoundland who was playing in the east coast leage a coupel years ago...outscores him

MC Girl · Guru

barry33 wrote:

It is nothing personal, simply addressing a need. All I want is for the guy to show that he wants to play here. He has not. And yes it is only 2 games in but he is simply picking up here he left off last season. Yes he lead theteam in scoring last year. But there were several players on the team that had more goals than he did (Ryder for one). With the talent that Kovy has, he needs to hang is head in shame that a boy from Bona Vista Nefoundland who was playing in the east coast leage a coupel years ago...outscores him

That sounds insultin' to Ryder. Regardless of where he's from or where he was playin' a few years ago. I say good for Ryder... not bad for Kovalev.

& you made it a point to mention Komi's interception & Kovy's reaction. Well the team wants Kovy to produce & gets a beautiful set-up chance & Komi's steps in... I'd be miffed if I was Kovy too.... I'd be shakin' my head too.

Not sayin' it's the same level or anythin' ..... but.... The Highlight of the Canadian Cup (can't remember the year) How pissed would Canadian fans & the team mates have been if Larry Murphy intercepted the pass for Lemieux?

Again... not sayin' it the same level.... but it's a sim. situation. 3 on 1 w/ a centerman, defensman & your team sniper.......

-- Edited by MC Girl at 11:28, 2006-10-08

Fatherhab · Senior Member

Ouch- Sniper lol- got to make those crossbars smaller lol

wright · Veteran Member

Kovalev has immense talent. I would be very willing to overlook his me first attitude, and even his desire to take periods and games off, if the overall production was there. Last year 23 goals, sorry that is below par even in terms of the games he missed due to injury. His reaction to Komi accidentally intercepting a goalmouth pass in game one, was unacceptable, but that is pat of the Kovalev attitude. There are times when Kovalev does not feel accountable for his lack of effort, frustrating. With the first line clicking the way it is, if the second line go could get going as a cohesive unit, the Habs could really be on to something. With Kovalev though you see glimpses of what he can do, but for some reason he seems unwilling to play to his great talents consistently.

MC Girl · Guru

It don't matter, it's all opinions.... I couldn't care less who says what about him. I'm tired of gettin' worked up 'cause I'm hearin' the same crap all the time.

If it's not Rib's, it was Koivu, not koivu, it's Kovy, not Kovy it's Souray...... Don't matter. I'm done with havin' my game excitement trashed because some think 2 games is enough to judge his degree of playin' this year. Crossbars.... that's just nitpickin'.... Koivu lost the puck ... nothin' said 'bout that... TILL NOW.

No worries... you guys go ahead & debate or hate all ya want. I'm taggin' out.

-- Edited by MC Girl at 12:06, 2006-10-08

MC Girl · Guru

wright wrote:

Kovalev has immense talent. I would be very willing to overlook his me first attitude, and even his desire to take periods and games off, if the overall production was there. Last year 23 goals, sorry that is below par even in terms of the games he missed due to injury. His reaction to Komi accidentally intercepting a goalmouth pass in game one, was unacceptable, but that is pat of the Kovalev attitude. There are times when Kovalev does not feel accountable for his lack of effort, frustrating. With the first line clicking the way it is, if the second line go could get going as a cohesive unit, the Habs could really be on to something. With Kovalev though you see glimpses of what he can do, but for some reason he seems unwilling to play to his great talents consistently.

P.S... Second line got "clickin' in last weeks preseason... but that don't count. That wasn't 2 games or sooner...

-- Edited by MC Girl at 11:38, 2006-10-08

barry33 · Guru

wright wrote:

Kovalev has immense talent. I would be very willing to overlook his me first attitude, and even his desire to take periods and games off, if the overall production was there. Last year 23 goals, sorry that is below par even in terms of the games he missed due to injury. His reaction to Komi accidentally intercepting a goalmouth pass in game one, was unacceptable, but that is pat of the Kovalev attitude. There are times when Kovalev does not feel accountable for his lack of effort, frustrating. With the first line clicking the way it is, if the second line go could get going as a cohesive unit, the Habs could really be on to something. With Kovalev though you see glimpses of what he can do, but for some reason he seems unwilling to play to his great talents consistently.

Wright..you are right. The reason we fans get so frustrated with him is because he has such WASTED potential. He has no idea how many Canadian kids would give their right arm to have half the talent he does. And his reaction to Komi the other night was unacceptale. Komi does not have eyes in the back of his head and was simply skaiting hard to the net when the puck came to him. Apparently he did not realize that God was on the ice wearing #27 or he would have let him have the puck.

As for my comment on Ryder it is not an insult. It is a compliment. Kovalev is supposed to be a world class player. Team Captain for Russia. Olympics etc etc. Ryder played minor hockey in Nfld and came up the hard way. 23 goals last year by Kovy is simply a lack of effort and nothing less. Higgins had 20 as rookie.

Andy · Veteran Member

This board is always so negative. It sounds like I am listening to AM 640 after a leaf game when they loose. At least Leaf fans are happy and praise their team when they win. On this board that is not good enough.

Kovalev will be fine this year. Heck where was Alex Ovechikin in washingtons first game????? This board would of traded him because he didn't produce in his first game. You guys need to relax and watch the game and not over analyize and pretend your analysists. For crying out loud it is a game not a war.

wright · Veteran Member

Andy wrote:

This board is always so negative. It sounds like I am listening to AM 640 after a leaf game when they loose. At least Leaf fans are happy and praise their team when they win. On this board that is not good enough.

Kovalev will be fine this year. Heck where was Alex Ovechikin in washingtons first game????? This board would of traded him because he didn't produce in his first game. You guys need to relax and watch the game and not over analyize and pretend your analysists. For crying out loud it is a game not a war.

Not trying to be negative, there are a lot of positive things happening with the Habs. Koviu,Higgins,Ryder line are playing very well,Komi is really developing one defence, Abby got the job done last night, and yes it is only two games into the season. Nonetheless when a player is getting paid 4.5 million a year, and there is a historical record of performance, and underacheivement do not think it is out of line to comment on that, that is what the gohabs board is all about.

habgirl · Guru

As I said, I like Kovy. I liked when we got him, but was concerned even then about the fact that he does not consistently play up to his talent. He probably has the most pure talent on the team, so his tendency to be invisible just doesn't cut it.

I'm not referring to Kovalev in the first two games of this season. I am referring to Kovalev since he came to Montreal (and even before...remember him in NY?)

Maybe splitting Samsanov and Kovalev up would help, I dunno. You have to admit, though, that this has been a recurring theme since Kovy donned the Habs jersey for the first time.

MC Girl · Guru

barry33 wrote:

Wright..you are right. The reason we fans get so frustrated with him is because he has such WASTED potential. He has no idea how many Canadian kids would give their right arm to have half the talent he does. And his reaction to Komi the other night was unacceptale. Komi does not have eyes in the back of his head and was simply skaiting hard to the net when the puck came to him. Apparently he did not realize that God was on the ice wearing #27 or he would have let him have the puck.

last thing about it from me (to you)....

... I just reviewed the overtime on Fri.... & Komi looked right @ Kovy as he R-E-A-C-H-E-D to get the puck....

rwp said he'll cut the reel of the OT (it was less than a min in) & I'll post it later. (after our Thanks givin' dinner.... I know I'll be sayin' I'm Thankful for Kovy)

-- Edited by MC Girl at 12:55, 2006-10-08

Fatherhab · Senior Member

When I started this thread, my intent was to really discuss trading for Modano- Is that to far fetched an idea? I threw Kovalev's name in there, because of the salary cap match. It could have been a combo of different players, not necessarily Kovalev.

MC Girl · Guru

habgirl wrote:

As I said, I like Kovy. I liked when we got him, but was concerned even then about the fact that he does not consistently play up to his talent. He probably has the most pure talent on the team, so his tendency to be invisible just doesn't cut it.

I'm not referring to Kovalev in the first two games of this season. I am referring to Kovalev since he came to Montreal (and even before...remember him in NY?)

Maybe splitting Samsanov and Kovalev up would help, I dunno. You have to admit, though, that this has been a recurring theme since Kovy donned the Habs jersey for the first time.

Exactly... the team knew what they were gettin' when they bought him.

Let's trash a guy for playin' the way he's always played.

I guess leadin' the team is good enough for me 'cause I get that he's just "that way". If there were no points on the board... ok... if he took no shots... yep.... but he's alright in my books...

Go Kovy Go !!!!!!

MC Girl · Guru

Fatherhab wrote:

When I started this thread, my intent was to really discuss trading for Modano- Is that to far fetched an idea? I threw Kovalev's name in there, because of the salary cap match. It could have been a combo of different players, not necessarily Kovalev.

You mentioned nothing of Modano 'til later on & said Kovalev in your first post.

-- Edited by MC Girl at 12:14, 2006-10-08

Fatherhab · Senior Member

u're right

Fatherhab · Senior Member

From Another Board:

LEFT POST...CROSSBAR...RIGHT POST —I HATE IT WHEN KOVY STARTS TO CLANK IRON. I HATE IT! I HATE IT!! I HATE IT!!!!

Once he starts, he doesn’t stop. As soon as the guy came into the NHL, he should have hired a sports Psychiatrist- because he is a freaking, looney cosmonaut! The guy has so much frigging talent, he can hit a crossbar and post any time he wants.

AND I swear to god, once he hits a post, he starts aiming for the post- AND IT’S ALL SUB-CONSCIOUS- he doesn’t even realize he’s doing it! The guy can go 18-20 games in a row pinging pucks off posts. BELIEVE ME- 14 years I’ve watched this guy- and once he starts pinging - he can’t freaking stop!

I don’t mind when he doesn’t score- I could care less when he takes stupid penalties. Doesn’t bother me a bit, when his cross ice passes get intercepted for breakaway goals..no problem when he misses an empty net...all of that is cool.

BUT NOT THE FREAKING POSTS!!!!!! NOT THE THOSE DARN LOUSY STUPID INSANE FREAKING POSTS!!!!! I CAN’T SLEEP. I HEAR THE PUCKS RICOCHET IN MY DREAMS! PING! PING PING!! PING PING PING !!!!!

THE GUY’S A NUT!!!! AND HE BETTER DEEP SIX THAT “WARRIOR” STICK- EVERY TIME HE DESIGNS ONE OF THESE NEW STICKS, HE HAS TO PROVE THEY’RE GREAT- THEN, HE TIGHTENS UP AND WHAT HAPPENS??? POSTS! CROSSBARS! POSTS! PING !! PING!! PING!!!!

AHHHHHHHHH, there, I’m glad I said that. There now I feel much better. Just had a little too much wine and Dice was Loaded.

Really. I’m fine now and feel so, so so much better.

MC Girl · Guru

It's just another post of Blah Blah Blah....

if he missed the net completely..... that would be better? If he missed the empty net... that would be ok??? Interception... fine in his books? ....... but to miss by a 1/4 inch.... LET'S SHOOT HIM!!!!! Pffft... whatever!!!!

Just another board with the same..... crap.

-- Edited by MC Girl at 13:01, 2006-10-08

plouf · Guru

I'll weigh in with one other point:

-I agree 100% with Barry, wright, etc... that Kovalev is probably poisonous to the team spirit some of the time, has a pretty piss-poor attitude some of the time, and just plain doesn't produce nearly as much as he should. I also agree that we are so deep at winger and thin at centre that exchanging Kovalev for a centre of equal ability is pretty much a no-brainer.

-But....during the playoffs Kovy has consistently shown the desire and ability to step it up. This guy can be a real intimidator out there, and I guarantee that other teams are even more distracted by him than his own teammates are (don't think Carolina has forgotten him). Knowing that you are facing a guy who could at any minute walk through your team at will has a key intangible effect. Inconsistency can sometimes be unpredictability, in the good sense of the word. And at this point there is NO other Hab who comes close to having that value; among our more talented guys, Koivu and Markov are much more the hardworking, solid but usually not spectacular "you know what you're getting" types.