1089 replies to this topic

[Daniel]

'you'll get nothing and like it' - chicago is the best trade partner for waddell because they have all this NHL talent that needs to go elsewhere, but i'm not sure they'll pull the trigger - they are already the best team in the league, why possibly upset that? i don't expect to see in the deal someone of zajac's caliber either; zajac for kovalchuk straight up is a win for atlanta.

If the assessment is that Kovalchuk makes the Devils a conference final lock (to the extent anyone can guarantee anything) then a trade for Zajac straight up would be win-win. You also need to take a good hard look at whether Tenenby/Josefson or a reasonably attainable free agent has the ability to fill Zajac's shoes after Kovalchuk doesn't resign, which is as close to a guarantee as it gets. I'd still ultimately be against it, but it's not something I would reject out of hand.

[Sickman]

no, the rangers really have no way of doing this. if they could get roszival off the team, maybe, but it's just not happening.

True, the chances of it happening are slim but I'm not saying never. Sather might sign players to some stupid contracts but he sure has a way of unloading the mess he makes on other teams. I just don't get it. Every single time you think they are squeezed, he pulls some rabbit out of his ass and unloads these awful deals. Eh whatever don't mind me, I'm just thinking negatively because that is all the Devils are about these last few weeks.

[devilsrule33]

Chicago is the only team that has no interest in signing Kovalchuk if they trade for him. The rest of the teams have to worry if they can meet Kovalchuk's demands, or if he even wants to stay in the NHL. That is why I think Chicago becomes the best trading partner with Atlanta.

The Bruins certainly have all the pieces to make a giant deal with the Thrashers, but is it worth going broke if they can't sign him. Same with the Kings. I think teams need one of those Roy Halladay contract extension windows before a trade is made, or it becomes too risky.

[Devil Dan 56]

If the assessment is that Kovalchuk makes the Devils a conference final lock (to the extent anyone can guarantee anything) then a trade for Zajac straight up would be win-win. You also need to take a good hard look at whether Tenenby/Josefson or a reasonably attainable free agent has the ability to fill Zajac's shoes after Kovalchuk doesn't resign, which is as close to a guarantee as it gets. I'd still ultimately be against it, but it's not something I would reject out of hand.

But that would leave the Devils with starting centers Dainus Zubrus or Dean McAmmond... or worse. Rob Niedermayer...

[Triumph]

If the assessment is that Kovalchuk makes the Devils a conference final lock (to the extent anyone can guarantee anything) then a trade for Zajac straight up would be win-win. You also need to take a good hard look at whether Tenenby/Josefson or a reasonably attainable free agent has the ability to fill Zajac's shoes after Kovalchuk doesn't resign, which is as close to a guarantee as it gets. I'd still ultimately be against it, but it's not something I would reject out of hand.

no one makes any team a conference final lock. kovalchuk is an excellent player. but he is not worth travis zajac, who i wouldn't trade for anything that isn't a center.

Chicago is the only team that has no interest in signing Kovalchuk if they trade for him. The rest of the teams have to worry if they can meet Kovalchuk's demands, or if he even wants to stay in the NHL. That is why I think Chicago becomes the best trading partner with Atlanta.

The Bruins certainly have all the pieces to make a giant deal with the Thrashers, but is it worth going broke if they can't sign him. Same with the Kings. I think teams need one of those Roy Halladay contract extension windows before a trade is made, or it becomes too risky.

i really don't think that should be a worry for these teams. i wouldn't want to sign kovalchuk or operate as though i thought i had to. i don't see the asking price as being prohibitively high where you have to think about that. if the kings offered simmonds, frolov, handzus, teubert, and a 2nd for kovalchuk, i don't think the thrashers would turn that deal down.

[Par9]

Let's end this speculation once and for all.

Instead of untouchables here are roster players we are willing to part with(if the price is right) that have value.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Johnny Oduya
Nicklas Bergfors
David Clarkson
Dainus Zubrus
Andy Greene

So now I will ask EVERYONEon this board

Can we get Kovalchuck with any of these players?

[Daniel]

The other thing I'll add is the risk of injury, which is why I would not ultimately pull the trigger on the deal for anyone who is considered integral to the team in the long term (which Zajac fits into), and which is why I'm generally against player rentals. As we all know, Kovalchuk could take an unlucky shot to the shin, which causes him to miss the rest of the season. Thus, you gave up a key player for someone who played a few games.

[Daniel]

Let's end this speculation once and for all.

Instead of untouchables here are roster players we are willing to part with(if the price is right) that have value.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Johnny Oduya
Nicklas Bergfors
David Clarkson
Dainus Zubrus
Andy Greene

So now I will ask EVERYONEon this board

Can we get Kovalchuck with any of these players?

Depends on what the competition is offering, but I would say, all things being equal, yes. Considering what Atlanta got for Hossa, a deal that involves Bergfors (who despite his recent slump, is still one of the better rookies this year) and Oduya, a Swedish olympian with a more or less reasonable contract should work.

[maxpower]

Depends on what the competition is offering, but I would say, all things being equal, yes. Considering what Atlanta got for Hossa, a deal that involves Bergfors (who despite his recent slump, is still one of the better rookies this year) and Oduya, a Swedish olympian with a more or less reasonable contract should work.

no, unless someone is totally and completely in love with Andy Greene

[sundstrom]

Depends on what the competition is offering, but I would say, all things being equal, yes. Considering what Atlanta got for Hossa, a deal that involves Bergfors (who despite his recent slump, is still one of the better rookies this year) and Oduya, a Swedish olympian with a more or less reasonable contract should work.

bergfors/oduya/rolston/vasyunov/2010 1st for todd white/kovalchuk/kaberle.

that's what i'd do.

now get back to work.

also, i agree with triumph - zajac cannot be dealt for anything that doesn't bring back a center under control for at least 2 years that could legitimately be considered a #2 centerman at worst. next to parise, he is the most important player on this team - and i include brodeur and elias in that statement.

[devilsrule33]

bergfors/oduya/rolston/vasyunov/2010 1st for todd white/kovalchuk/kaberle.

that's what i'd do.

now get back to work.

also, i agree with triumph - zajac cannot be dealt for anything that doesn't bring back a center under control for at least 2 years that could legitimately be considered a #2 centerman at worst. next to parise, he is the most important player on this team - and i include brodeur and elias in that statement.

I am guessing you mean Kubina and not Kaberle. Why do the Thrashers want to take on Oduya and Rolston's large salaries?

[aylbert]

It doesn't make sense for the Devs to give up anything meaningful to pick up Kovalchuck...
Maybe a 2nd rounder... but I fail to see why we would want to trade Bergfors++ for 3 months or so of Kovy.

[Triumph]

I am guessing you mean Kubina and not Kaberle. Why do the Thrashers want to take on Oduya and Rolston's large salaries?

they have to take on one big salary in a kovalchuk deal because they may have trouble reaching the salary floor next season.

[ThreeCups]

bergfors/oduya/rolston/vasyunov/2010 1st for todd white/kovalchuk/kaberle.

that's what i'd do.

now get back to work.

also, i agree with triumph - zajac cannot be dealt for anything that doesn't bring back a center under control for at least 2 years that could legitimately be considered a #2 centerman at worst. next to parise, he is the most important player on this team - and i include brodeur and elias in that statement.

I wouldn't mind something like that. To the people saying to trade Zajac...are you INSANE? Trade our best center that is signed at a great rate for a RENTAL WINGER that we have NO CHANCE or resigning? Lou will never do that. I also would not want to deal Clarksonm Parise or Elias. (and obviously Marty) If we can get Kovalchuk without sending those guys that other way, I would take a hard look at it.

[maxpower]

they have to take on one big salary in a kovalchuk deal because they may have trouble reaching the salary floor next season.

they always find someone to overpay for. I think they'd rather do it on their terms rather than get sent crap with a big contract

[Daniel]

For what it's worth, and Ottawa sports writer says the Devils are the frontrunner.

[Devil Fan]

I just watch Bob McKenzie's analysis on tsn that don Waddell wants roster players over draft picks and prospects because Atlanta is still in the playoff hunt and the GM cannot say this prospect would be good 2-3 years later or we're focusing on the draft.

So, I think Salvador, Bergfors, Zubrus and Clarkson are the 3 Waddell targeting.

[ThreeCups]

For what it's worth, and Ottawa sports writer says the Devils are the frontrunner.

It's worth nothing, lol.

[sykkie15]

especially since it's friggen bruce garrioch.

[ThreeCups]

I just watch Bob McKenzie's analysis on tsn that don Waddell wants roster players over draft picks and prospects because Atlanta is still in the playoff hunt and the GM cannot say this prospect would be good 2-3 years later or we're focusing on the draft.

So, I think Salvador, Bergfors, Zubrus and Clarkson are the 3 Waddell targeting.

I would not want to trade Bergfors AND Clarkson (would prefer to keep them both if possible) for a Kovalchuk rental. Now if somehow we COULD resign him and KNEW that.....that would be a "horse of a different color"