Kovalev a Penguin

[Urkie]

This is the Sens getting even for Gonchar....

Can you take him back too? We don't want him either...

 

[evolver115]

I think that's why it took so long to deal him. Murray wanted to get more for Kovy but teams didn't want to pay it and I don't think there was that much interest in him either. I suspect Mario had a big impact in gettng Kovy back in Pittsburgh btw.

If Crosby comes back then the Pens will be a pretty strong team. Does it maybe open the door for a Malkin trade if the Pens manage to do well without him? Because the Pens are going to have to shed salary one way or another this summer.

Yeah, I agree Lemieux probably had a hand in this one. Kovy was always admired in Pittsburgh, and of course Mario has respect for him. If Kovy can't get motivated here, he can't do it anywhere.

I sincerely hope they don't trade Malkin anytime soon. Obviously, it won't be this season due to his knee, but i want to see what a guy like Neal or Kunitz could do on his wing for an extended period of time.

 

[pixburgher66]

Yeah, I agree Lemieux probably had a hand in this one. Kovy was always admired in Pittsburgh, and of course Mario has respect for him. If Kovy can't get motivated here, he can't do it anywhere.

I sincerely hope they don't trade Malkin anytime soon. Obviously, it won't be this season due to his knee, but i want to see what a guy like Neal or Kunitz could do on his wing for an extended period of time.

First off, my 8 year old self is so pumped right now. SO PUMPED. I think I may even throw in one of the Pens greatest game sets to watch Kovy play

To comment on your comment evolver, I agree. This is the only place that Kovy could work out. If he can't do it here, where he's generally liked and respected, and will hopefully have some good players/atmosphere/coaching surrounding him, and with Mario watching, he just can't do it anymore.

 

[Urkie]

Yeah, I agree Lemieux probably had a hand in this one. Kovy was always admired in Pittsburgh, and of course Mario has respect for him. If Kovy can't get motivated here, he can't do it anywhere.

I sincerely hope they don't trade Malkin anytime soon. Obviously, it won't be this season due to his knee, but i want to see what a guy like Neal or Kunitz could do on his wing for an extended period of time.

We'll see what happens with Kovalev. I think he'll do okay but I wouldn't expect too much from him.

As for Malkin, I think it would be smart to keep him too but the cap is an issue right now and it could seriously take away any depth the Pens have now. Plus I think Staal is more then capable of taking the second line duties. That would be something that would be dealt with in the summer obviously.

 

[pixburgher66]

 

[evolver115]

First off, my 8 year old self is so pumped right now. SO PUMPED. I think I may even throw in one of the Pens greatest game sets to watch Kovy play

To comment on your comment evolver, I agree. This is the only place that Kovy could work out. If he can't do it here, where he's generally liked and respected, and will hopefully have some good players/atmosphere/coaching surrounding him, and with Mario watching, he just can't do it anymore.

The Penguins have nothing to lose in this... except for a 7th, possibly 6th rounder. Kovy can go on the first powerplay and he immediately provides credibility there with Letang playing the opposite point.

What's not to like about that? Sterling for Kovalev? C'mon, that's a no-brainer! They're so wrecked with injuries, right now. Getting a end of the road goal-scorer is a win in my book. Regardless of what Kovy does, or doesn't do... at least it makes the powerplay somewhat respectable, again.

 

[Comeds]

I think its a great move for the Penguins. A 7th round pick or at worst a 6th round pick? Thats a steal IMO.

I would have liked to see Kovalev return to the Habs at some point, but he and Gainey had a close relationship so when Gainey stepped down I think that ended those chances.

 

[pixburgher66]

And the number battle begins. Craig Adams has been 27 for awhile, is a vet in the league, and been with the Pens for a few seasons. Kovy is a former superstar, goal scorer, and even more of a vet. Who gets it?

 

[evolver115]

And the number battle begins. Craig Adams has been 27 for awhile, is a vet in the league, and been with the Pens for a few seasons. Kovy is a former superstar, goal scorer, and even more of a vet. Who gets it?

All due respect to Kovy, but Adams should either tell him he wants to be paid or tell him to f-off

 

[pixburgher66]

All due respect to Kovy, but Adams should either tell him he wants to be paid or tell him to f-off

That has to be the most awkward situation. I think Kovy will just do the switch-a-roo though and go with 72. That will be odd though, just knowing that he was 27 when he played with the Pens. 26 is open!

 

[flyersfan4706]

LOL @ 7TH ROUND PICK

 

[evolver115]

Alex Kovalev Returns to Pittsburgh (2/24/11) Video - NHL VideoCenter - Pittsburgh Penguins

 

[pixburgher66]

EmptyNetters: Shero mentioned Lemieux and goaltending coach Gilles Meloche as going to bat for Kovalev's character.

Yeah, Mario was involved.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

This was a no brainer for Shero. He gave up nothing. At the very least Kovalev will make the Penguins powerplay a bit more interesting.

 

[pixburgher66]

This was a no brainer for Shero. He gave up nothing. At the very least Kovalev will make the Penguins powerplay a bit more interesting.

This is where he's the biggest impact. Our PP has been anemic at best, and having Kovy on it helps because it's a lot less work and offensively driven. He has to be responsible of course, but not nearly as much so.

 

[forty_three]

EmptyNetters: Shero mentioned Lemieux and goaltending coach Gilles Meloche as going to bat for Kovalev's character.

Yeah, Mario was involved.

Kovalev makes great deep fried butter tarts and can get unfiltered Russian cigarettes.

 

[Comeds]

Kovalev makes great deep fried butter tarts and can get unfiltered Russian cigarettes.

Have you tried his borscht? He uses tater tots instead of beets. According to Robert Lang its great!

 

[pixburgher66]

Kovalev makes great deep fried butter tarts and can get unfiltered Russian cigarettes.

So, James Neal uses Gary Roberts to train, but clearly Kyle Wellwood uses Alexei Kovalev.

 

[Vadered]

A good trade for both teams. Pitt gets a veteran presence with some short term upside for a 7th (or 6th) rounder, and they don't even have to pay him that much, nor need they commit more salary to next year when they have approximately zero wiggle room cap wise. Ottawa gets SOMETHING for Kovalev.

 

[Darkstone42]

I like it. I think Kovalev will play hard in Pittsburgh. He's got a lot of respect for Mario, and I can't see anything less from him as a result.