There's no point in discussing any possible scenario where Kovalchuk goes to the Flames. IMO, there's pretty much only 2 scenarios possible for his return.
1) Comes back to New Jersey and plays for a bad, rebuilding team.
2) Is re-signed by New Jersey and then traded to either the New York Rangers (who probably can't fit him in their cap) or the Florida Panthers (who can DEFINITELY) fit him in their cap. These are the ONLY two teams he's been reported to want to play for.
I don't see him coming back to play for New Jersey, but if he does, it will only be for part of the year so NHL GMs can see what he can offer, and then he'll be dealt at the deadline.
While the Rangers are the most appealing success-wise, they also have a limited amount they can pay him, but they could find a way if they let a lot of their free agents go. However, guys like Zibanejad, Fast, and Lindberg will all get healthy raises. They could fit him, but it's probably going to be tight. $9.2 cap space for next year at the moment, and I think those three players will probably get increases of 5 million total between them. That leaves about $4 million for Kovalchuk barring any other moves.
The Panthers make more sense in some ways. Young team that had a setback last year with injuries, some poor performances, and horrible management decisions. Tallon is back in charge, so I imagine the team will get back on track in terms of management. However, it's been reported that Jagr won't return to the Panthers, so that opens up a prime spot on the top line to play alongside Barkov and Huberdeau. The Panthers also have a better cap situation with the departure of Jagr and the unlikely re-signing of Vanek, so they only have Pysyk and Petrovic to re-sign as RFAs, and they're not going to get substantial raises. That leaves about $9-10 million for the Panthers to play with for next year, and a guy like Kovalchuk could drastically improve the offense for them overnight. They've always had playmakers in Barkov and Huberdeau, but have lacked finishers to play with them as Jagr had also become a playmaker more than a finisher in the last couple years.
I would be thrilled to see Kovalchuk in Florida. It would be a good fan draw to have a dynamic player like Kovalchuk on the team as well.
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"You know, that's kinda why I came here, to show that I don't suck that much" ~ Devin Cooley, Professional Goaltender
There's no point in discussing any possible scenario where Kovalchuk goes to the Flames. IMO, there's pretty much only 2 scenarios possible for his return.
1) Comes back to New Jersey and plays for a bad, rebuilding team.
2) Is re-signed by New Jersey and then traded to either the New York Rangers (who probably can't fit him in their cap) or the Florida Panthers (who can DEFINITELY) fit him in their cap. These are the ONLY two teams he's been reported to want to play for.
I don't see him coming back to play for New Jersey, but if he does, it will only be for part of the year so NHL GMs can see what he can offer, and then he'll be dealt at the deadline.
While the Rangers are the most appealing success-wise, they also have a limited amount they can pay him, but they could find a way if they let a lot of their free agents go. However, guys like Zibanejad, Fast, and Lindberg will all get healthy raises. They could fit him, but it's probably going to be tight. $9.2 cap space for next year at the moment, and I think those three players will probably get increases of 5 million total between them. That leaves about $4 million for Kovalchuk barring any other moves.
The Panthers make more sense in some ways. Young team that had a setback last year with injuries, some poor performances, and horrible management decisions. Tallon is back in charge, so I imagine the team will get back on track in terms of management. However, it's been reported that Jagr won't return to the Panthers, so that opens up a prime spot on the top line to play alongside Barkov and Huberdeau. The Panthers also have a better cap situation with the departure of Jagr and the unlikely re-signing of Vanek, so they only have Pysyk and Petrovic to re-sign as RFAs, and they're not going to get substantial raises. That leaves about $9-10 million for the Panthers to play with for next year, and a guy like Kovalchuk could drastically improve the offense for them overnight. They've always had playmakers in Barkov and Huberdeau, but have lacked finishers to play with them as Jagr had also become a playmaker more than a finisher in the last couple years.
I would be thrilled to see Kovalchuk in Florida. It would be a good fan draw to have a dynamic player like Kovalchuk on the team as well.
Is Jagr rumored to retire, or sign elsewhere? Which teams is he expressing interest in? Would love to see him play on a Canadian team. I think many years back he stated in an interview that he would like to one day play for a Canadian team before his career is over.
Everyone else is 6'1" or taller. Heck, Lazar is six feet.
Yeah it would be a problem. Gaudreau can be pushed out of the game by strong, physical players. So can Cammalleri. We already tried that with Hudler/Gaudreau vs the Ducks two years ago and our offense was shut down so hard.
We need to be harder to shut down, not easier.
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How about Patrick Marleau if he'd sign a 1 year deal? Can he play right wing?
I mean, everyone knows what Marleau is..still a good player even at 37.
Fast
Big at 6'2 220lbs
Good defensively
Wicked shot
Still put up 27 goals last season, 25 the year before
Can play center too if need be, and usually above 50% in the dot
Pretty good at staying healthy too
Grew up in western Canada
Why do you assume I am referring to his previous time in the NHL?
He is 34 years old and has played in the KHL for the last 4 years ... he's going to be a floater when (if) he returns to the NHL ... and he will be expensive.
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Why do you assume I am referring to his previous time in the NHL?
He is 34 years old and has played in the KHL for the last 4 years ... he's going to be a floater when (if) he returns to the NHL ... and he will be expensive.
That is a pretty baseless assumption. Kovalchuk has always been more of a Hossa style player, not sure why you would expect that would magically change just because he was in the KHL a few years.
Why do you assume I am referring to his previous time in the NHL?
He is 34 years old and has played in the KHL for the last 4 years ... he's going to be a floater when (if) he returns to the NHL ... and he will be expensive.
This makes absolutely zero sense. I wish I never read this post.
Friedman on 960 speculating that a lot of teams will be inquiring about Saros and Preds' plans fro him.
Also said he doesn't have any information that the Flames are involved in acquiring Bishop's rights but wouldn't be surprised if the Flames did end up trading for Bishop.
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Everyone else is 6'1" or taller. Heck, Lazar is six feet.
2 out of our top 6 would be under 6' tall if we acquired Squid. Way to small to compete in the west with the top teams. Size matters now in the NHL, Look at Edmonton - they're able to physically compete with the Ducks.
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