The enigmatic Alexei Kovalev

[dash]

has been dumped to the Sens 4th line...

Alexei Kovalev has landed on the fourth line.

The Senators had a full complement of players for only the second time this season and it wasn't hard to notice the troubled Russian winger skating with Ryan Shannon and Jesse Winchester.

While scratching Kovalev against the New York Rangers won't happen, the possibility exists that it could happen at some point if the veteran doesn't get his act together. He had been with Mike Fisher and Milan Michalek.

"It's indicative that we haven't scored," said Senators' coach Cory Clouston. "That line has had nothing (since the Toronto game). You can't have nothing. We need something. We need to see if somebody else can produce. I don't want to say we need to shake things up but we need some guys to go out there and produce."

Kovalev was nowhere to be found after practice so he wasn't available to speak to the media.

The Senators have only one victory in their last five games and are 3-9-1 in their last 12. They play back-to-back games against New York Thursday and the New Jersey Devils Friday.

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

Yeah, that guy really is unbelievable.

In terms of pure hockey talent, he's pretty high on a lot of lists, but seems to have so much trouble making it work for him properly.

Gotta be in his head.

 

[Jimmy_the_Tongue]

Yeah, that guy really is unbelievable.

In terms of pure hockey talent, he's pretty high on a lot of lists, but seems to have so much trouble making it work for him properly.

Gotta be in his head.

That's what we always hear about Kovalev....all that talent and all this...blah blah blah...now if you do have "all that talent" but you can never put it to proper use...does it really count as talent?....does that make sense?....what good is it if you can't use it...

 

[Comeds]

I wouldnt mind the Habs making an offer for Kovalev for a playoff push. With Gainey no longer in charge I am not sure it would happen though.

 

[dash]

I wouldnt mind the Habs making an offer for Kovalev for a playoff push. With Gainey no longer in charge I am not sure it would happen though.

Maybe they could send LaPierre to the Sens for Kovalev, comeds?

 

[KennyBanyeah]

Maybe they could send LaPierre to the Sens for Kovalev, comeds?

Over my dead body.

We will take that healthy scratch Subban off of your hands though Comeds!!

 

[Comeds]

Over my dead body.

We will take that healthy scratch Subban off of your hands though Comeds!!

I think the Habs still have the rights to Gino Odjick. Maybe they can send them the Sens for Alexei.

 

[Urkie]

Kovalev sucks.

People talk about all this skill that he has but I have only seen him utilize those talents once or twice in two years.

I'll happily trade him to anybody for a 2nd round pick.

 

[forty_three]

I would rather have Derek Roy.


Yeah. I said it.

 

[Urkie]

I would rather have Derek Roy.


Yeah. I said it.

Now that's saying something...lol

 

[Automattic]

They tell tales in small villages high up in the mountains somewhere that say he has hands that rival those of Pavel Datsyuk's...

 

[Urkie]

They tell tales in small villages high up in the mountains somewhere that say he has hands that rival those of Pavel Datsyuk's...

I bet...LOL

Now if only Kovalev had the desire that Datsyuk has...

 

[quoipourquoi]

That's what we always hear about Kovalev....all that talent and all this...blah blah blah...now if you do have "all that talent" but you can never put it to proper use...does it really count as talent?....does that make sense?....what good is it if you can't use it...

I'll lend you my Alexei Kovalev training DVD, and you'll see all the things that he can do and just isn't- because he's an even bigger mental wreck than Giguere. After thirty seconds of that DVD, you'll do just what I did: Look down at your hockey stick and feel inadequate as a man. :p

 

[Urkie]

Kovalev is pissed about demotion to fourth line...

Angry Kovalev: I'm a scapegoat | Hockey | Sports | Ottawa Sun

 

[dash]

“It looks like it right now,” said Kovalev. “There’s nothing I can do about it. I’m not the only one not playing well and he decides to pick me. It’s been happening my whole career. I accept that.”

Might I suggest show more effort and play better?

 

[Urkie]

“It looks like it right now,” said Kovalev. “There’s nothing I can do about it. I’m not the only one not playing well and he decides to pick me. It’s been happening my whole career. I accept that.”

Might I suggest show more effort and play better?

Yeah, but I guess that would be too much to ask for Kovalev...

All he knows, is how to go out on the ice and float around. But there's nothing he can do about it.

 

[Urkie]

And now Clouston's reaction...

Kovalev says he's being singled out for Senators struggles

"He is not being picked on," said the coach. "It's not about under performance. It's not about expecting everyone to have a good performance every night. We just want the effort. We want the consistency of effort. That's all it comes down to."

When asked if he felt that the Senators are getting their money's worth on a player that is currently tied for fourth in team scoring with seven goals and seven assists in 30 games, Clouston said that the team got what they thought they were getting.

"This is about what we expected," he said. "We are very happy with his game some nights and very disappointed with his game other nights."

Clouston admitted that the team needed more from Kovalev if they hope to return to the post-season once again.

"Fine for me isn't quite good enough," said Clouston. "We need him to be more than fine. It's just about consistency. When he bring a consistent effort he's a very good hockey player."

 

[Urkie]

I wouldn't be surprised if Kovalev asks for a trade very soon if he hasn't already.

He is at fault here but when you make this kind of statement, it's basically like asking for a trade.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

And now Clouston's reaction...

Kovalev says he's being singled out for Senators struggles

"He is not being picked on," said the coach. "It's not about under performance. It's not about expecting everyone to have a good performance every night. We just want the effort. We want the consistency of effort. That's all it comes down to."

When asked if he felt that the Senators are getting their money's worth on a player that is currently tied for fourth in team scoring with seven goals and seven assists in 30 games, Clouston said that the team got what they thought they were getting.

"This is about what we expected," he said. "We are very happy with his game some nights and very disappointed with his game other nights."

Clouston admitted that the team needed more from Kovalev if they hope to return to the post-season once again.

"Fine for me isn't quite good enough," said Clouston. "We need him to be more than fine. It's just about consistency. When he bring a consistent effort he's a very good hockey player."

Clouston is pretty much spot on.

I want this team to rebuild now and let Clouston mold a bunch of good young players. He is a very good coach, IMO.

 

[Urkie]

Clouston is pretty much spot on.

I want this team to rebuild now and let Clouston mold a bunch of good young players. He is a very good coach, IMO.

Lets hope so. I have a feeling Murray's going to be in his spot behind the bench in the near future though.

I like Clouston, he's got a good system. It's just that Murray needs to bring in players who excel in that system. Not bring in guys like Kovalev or Gonchar who don't fit his system.

But Murray is going to have to cover his ass soon and he'll do it by firing Clouston and taking his spot. I pretty much guarantee that.

And I want to make it clear that I don't like that move at all.