[Rumour] Kovalchuk returning to the NHL???

[lifetime_flamesfan]

I know its Eklund, but the thought of Kovalchuk coming back to the NHL just doesn't seem right to me.

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Eklun...-Buzz1/1/75021

[loob job]

Believeable until he says the Leafs are one of two teams. No way does he go to the Leafs.

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

Wouldn't he have to clear waivers? Maybe that's why TO would sign him - to be sure they can get him and then trade him to the 'actual' team he wanted to sign with?

I might have how this works all wrong.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by lifetime_flamesfan

I know its Eklund

There's your answer.

[icecube]

The best players in the world should play in the best league in the world. I'd be excited to have him back and I hope it's true. He could still be a top three goal scorer in this league.

[Locke]

I think he needs unanimous consent of all 30 GMs and then he'd have to clear waivers?

I dont remember all the details but the Leafs would probably be the only team that could afford him and that would want him.

I'm guessing that Kovalchuk probably doesnt care where he goes but no one in Russia can either afford to, or want to, pay him.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by icecube

The best players in the world should play in the best league in the world. I'd be excited to have him back and I hope it's true. He could still be a top three goal scorer in this league.

You really think so? He's barely top 40 in the KHL for goal scoring.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by lifetime_flamesfan

I know its Eklund

And that was where I stopped caring.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by icecube

The best players in the world should play in the best league in the world. I'd be excited to have him back and I hope it's true. He could still be a top three goal scorer in this league.

Uh, not a chance.

For one, he's 33 years old, and he's apparently slowed down considerably.

Two, it's not like Kane, Ovechkin, Benn, and Seguin are going to leave the NHL or anything.

Three, Kovalchuk hasn't scored 45 goals in the NHL since 2007, and scored only 11 in 37 games in his last season. He's not even his KHL team's leading scorer.

So, nope.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by Locke

I think he needs unanimous consent of all 30 GMs and then he'd have to clear waivers?

I dont remember all the details but the Leafs would probably be the only team that could afford him and that would want him.

I'm guessing that Kovalchuk probably doesnt care where he goes but no one in Russia can either afford to, or want to, pay him.

Lou would probably be the first GM to block Kolvalchuk from returning. And he definitely wouldn't sign him to his rebuilding team.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by icecube

The best players in the world should play in the best league in the world. I'd be excited to have him back and I hope it's true. He could still be a top three goal scorer in this league.

I think the best hockey players should play in the NHL. But players should also honour the contracts they sign. Fact is, he signed one of the largest contracts in NHL history. I don't remember if it was heavily front loaded, but if it was he made a huge chunk of change right off the bat. He then walked out on it to play in another league for another bushel of money.

I get that many employees in the corporate world will jump ship when offered mega-bucks. But many of us aren't binded by working contracts like hockey players are. Kovalchuk clearly broke his contract to jump ship.

If the rumors are true about him wanting back, I hope the league takes a long and hard look at why he shouldn't be allowed back. I'm no lawyer when it comes to matters like this, so maybe I'm wrong in what I'm saying. But I don't imagine too many owners will be very happy with him coming back.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by codynw

Lou would probably tell Kovalchuk to #### off if he tried to come back, hahaha. Let alone sign him, a 33 year old floater, to his rebuilding team.

Um. Lou is pretty much Kovalchuk's biggest fan. Kovy isnt in the NHL at the moment despite Lou's best efforts.

[Ashasx]

Hopefully New Jersey gets re-penalized if he does.

[dino7c]

all 30 teams would have to give permission? F that I would say no

sick of certain teams getting away with cap circumvention, league imposed penalties, when the Flames always get the book thrown at them

[Locke]

Originally Posted by dino7c

all 30 teams would have to give permission? F that I would say no

sick of certain teams getting away with cap circumvention, league imposed penalties, when the Flames always get the book thrown at them

Why? I say yes and hope a rival gives him a stupid contract that hamstrings them for eternity.

Get him to Edmonton for 7 years x $10M.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Locke

Why? I say yes and hope a rival gives him a stupid contract that hamstrings them for eternity.

Get him to Edmonton for 7 years x $10M.

we all know that isn't happening

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by Locke

Why? I say yes and hope a rival gives him a stupid contract that hamstrings them for eternity.

Get him to Edmonton for 7 years x $10M.

I don't think even they are that stupid. $10M? Are you kidding?

He'll be lucky to get $7M.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by dino7c

we all know that isn't happening

Well, I'll admit that the likelihood is low, but we can dream.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by Locke

Um. Lou is pretty much Kovalchuk's biggest fan. Kovy isnt in the NHL at the moment despite Lou's best efforts.

Is he still a big fan after he bailed and caused them to lose a draft pick?

(I know they got it back, but still)

I can't see it.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by codynw

Is he still a big fan after he bailed and caused them to lose a draft pick?

(I know they got it back, but still)

I can't see it.

Kovalchuk 'bailing' on that contract was the biggest favour he could do for Lou.

That contract was HORRIBLE. I think if you asked him Lou would trade a draft pick to to get out of that contract 11 times out of 10.