Sens sign Kovalev!!

Dave, don't forget that Neil, although overpaid, is only overpaid by about $500K. So it's $5M for Kovalev, plus the $500K overpayment for Neil. Or best case we replace Neil with a younger, less-experienced player for a savings of $1M or so.

Point is, we had $6M to spend, not $7M, and even so, Hossa was not coming back here for a 1-2 year deal; the contract he signed pretty much confirms what he was looking for.

Cammalleri signed for 6x5 years. Again, there is no indication tat he would have signed on for the same money for a 2 year term.

davetherave wrote:

Neely4Life wrote:

davetherave wrote:You don't have to defend Alex, as I'm not attacking him.

As I said, I like watching Kovalev, and I respect his abilities. My question was, was he the best choice for the Senators for that kind of money.

You're the hardcore Sens fan. You tell me.

With what Heatley has done Dave, Kovy was 100% the best short term solution for Ottawa. Thats all it is, a short term solution.

Neely, I totally get it...I just wonder why if BM had $7Mm to spend, he went out and paid Kovalev $5MM and Neil $2MM when the same money might have bought Cammalleri or even (if he had the seven large to play with) Hossa.

For less dough, there were more than a few other shooters around Murray could have signed, and probably even on one year deals.

But hopefully Alex works out for you all. He's certainly fun to watch.

Murray has mentioned he was in on some players but had to back out. I suspect Cammie was one of them. Hossa wanted the cap hit and I dont think Murray was willing to go that long. I am happy that Murray signed someone but I am sitting on the fence until I see which Kovie plays. I do like the term though. The only other player out there that I think could have been a good fit for out top 6 would be Tanguay and the longer he goes unsigned the cheaper I think he becomes and it might make him an another option depending on what Murray gets back in a heatley trade.

I don't think there is much risk associated with Kovalev at $5-million for two years. Considering the circumstances, Heatley WILL be moved at some point. There are just too many scenarios that prevent him from staying -- attitude towards the coach, perception amongst teammates, rift with management, Ottawa sports media's panache for beating the proverbial dead horse, etc.

What Kovalev brings is a well-known quantity of elite NHL skill. That is without question. And it was also evident, that when put in a position to succeed [2007-08 season] that he can excel and be a premier player in the league. To get that known skill quantity for an amount that would seem to be just slightly under market value compared to other players of his scoring and skill calibre is justifiable in my mind.

As for Neil, well I'm one of the few who doesn't agree with the signing. I don't think he brings anything to the table for this team anymore to be honest, and find it absolutely absurd that for someone who posted such low numbers and brought such dismal play all year that he could in fact double his previous salary.

I outlined in another thread several comparable players who all brought the same dimension, as well as other facets, and who were making less.

However, given the landscape of the division -- the toughness of the Leafs and Bruins and the energy line players in Buffalo -- that it was potentially necessary to retain Neil simply due to his familiarity with the system in Ottawa and for his service to the organization over the years. And I hope that he can prove me wrong by improving his play and bringing some of the scoring dimension back this year.

^Good post

I just don't understand what risk we are talking about here? Who was the last team who got "burnt" by signing Kovalev?

If we're talking stats he had a weak season a few years ago with MTL where he compiled 47 pts in 73 games. If that's the worst case scenario, I'll take it @ 5 Mil for 2 years.

Don't forget... 5 all star games and a cup

beerandsens wrote:^If we're talking stats he had a weak season a few years ago with MTL where he compiled 47 pts in 73 games. If that's the worst case scenario, I'll take it @ 5 Mil for 2 years.

Beer>That Stanley Cup you mentioned...Alex won it in 1993-94 with the Rangers...but let's be generous. A Champion is a Champion.

If you're talking stats, Kovalev has had one strong season of the four he's been in Montreal; two respectable seasons (his first and last, good for about 25 markers each), and one lousy one (last year). But then, Gainey swapped Josef Balej to pry him loose from the Rangers' grasp after a crappy campagn in Manhattan (just 14 tallies that year).

If you're talking price relative to stats, there were certainly alternatives. UFA Mike Knuble and RFA Tuomo Ruutu scored as many goals as Kovalev (who ranked 52nd among NHL forwards in goals) last year. Knuble was signed at 2.8MM for 2 years; Ruutu is still unsigned (he earned 2.25 last year). Nik Antropov, who scored more goals than Alex the Artist, signed for a lower yearly amount (about 4MM cap hit--albeit a longer term, but then nifty Nik is eight years younger).

Are any of these players as talented, or exciting, as Kovalev? Few would dare argue the point.

When you start talking about 'elite' skill...objectively, in terms of scoring performance, AK27 is now bested by youngsters like Phil Kessel, Brian Little, David Booth, Alexander Frolov, David Backes and Bobby Ryan, just to name a few.

So is this signing about value, or about entertainment?

One thing you can be sure of about Alexei Kovalev...he'll look great in a Sens uniform. He'll dazzle fans with his ability to make the puck do tricks, and will score highlight goals.

If he's motivated, and he buys in to Master Cory-San's ZenSen System, you could have yourself a terrific addition to the team.

I agree with Neely that Kovalev can provide a short term solution. On a one year deal, AK would be a no-brainer IMHO. For a two year committment, there's no 'out' in case he doesn't deliver the pizza.

So, is this a 'great' signing, as others suggest?

The results will speak for themselves.

Dave, at the end of the day Kovalev signing in Ottawa for only 2 years is way better then Murray just standing pat, waiting for something to happen.

Kovalev, whether he puts up 80 points or not, gives The Sens a legit scoring threat aside from Alfi, Spezza, (and for now) Heatley.

Kovalev being on that roster will help way more then the actual cap hit hurts. It's only 2 years and is a short term fix for now.

we seem to keep forgetting the kovalev isnt just a scorer like heatley he can and will actually set up others for a goal

Hockeyhero22000 wrote:we seem to keep forgetting the kovalev isnt just a scorer like heatley he can and will actually set up others for a goal

True, I predict he'll get about 40 assists, and about 25 goals. They will be nice goals lol

Neely4Life wrote:Dave, at the end of the day Kovalev signing in Ottawa for only 2 years is way better then Murray just standing pat, waiting for something to happen.

Kovalev, whether he puts up 80 points or not, gives The Sens a legit scoring threat aside from Alfi, Spezza, (and for now) Heatley.

Kovalev being on that roster will help way more then the actual cap hit hurts. It's only 2 years and is a short term fix for now.

Neely>what you say makes sense.

HH correctly points out Alexei can also playmake with his new playmates.

And as Howie says, AK27 will score some very nice goals.

We'll see what happens...soon...

beerandsens wrote:I just don't understand what risk we are talking about here? Who was the last team who got "burnt" by signing Kovalev?

I see the risk as being money spent on a player that has a lot of questions around his commitment to the team and consistency of performance and heart. We're in the process of trying to get rid of yet another head case, and I think the skeptics like me are worried AK will turn into another issue... but no one knows what the future will hold, and perhaps with him not having the same pressure as he did in Montreal, he'll shine... who knows.

I understand the position BM was put in... we need scoring, especially if we lose Heatley. AK brings that for sure - no question, he's got mad skill... but will it "gel" with the Sens? We'll see...

i think the main difference here is the fact that Kovalev was exoected to be the man in montreal where in ottawa whether we like it or not it is expected to be spezza i think kovalev might actualyl have one of his better seasons when all he is expected to do is contribute and give some balanced scoring

As long as we keep Heatley, Kovalev can stay on the 2nd line and kick the Dung out of opponent's D.

Or...as I've been fantasizing about recently:

Foligno - Spezza - Alfredsson
Heatley - Fisher - Kovalev

:drooling:

SpezDispenser wrote:As long as we keep Heatley, Kovalev can stay on the 2nd line and kick the Dung out of opponent's D.

Or...as I've been fantasizing about recently:

Foligno - Spezza - Alfredsson
Heatley - Fisher - Kovalev

:drooling:

haha you take foligno out and put me in and you have my NHL 09 be a pro sens team

SpezDispenser wrote:As long as we keep Heatley, Kovalev can stay on the 2nd line and kick the Dung out of opponent's D.

Or...as I've been fantasizing about recently:

Foligno - Spezza - Alfredsson
Heatley - Fisher - Kovalev

:drooling:

In your fantasy, what happens to your signature?

Any team lead by Heatley is doomed for failure. He's so dumb that you could stick him in a corner and water him as a plant.

shabbs wrote:

beerandsens wrote:I just don't understand what risk we are talking about here? Who was the last team who got "burnt" by signing Kovalev?

I see the risk as being money spent on a player that has a lot of questions around his commitment to the team and consistency of performance and heart. We're in the process of trying to get rid of yet another head case, and I think the skeptics like me are worried AK will turn into another issue... but no one knows what the future will hold, and perhaps with him not having the same pressure as he did in Montreal, he'll shine... who knows.

I understand the position BM was put in... we need scoring, especially if we lose Heatley. AK brings that for sure - no question, he's got mad skill... but will it "gel" with the Sens? We'll see...

If Murray didnt bring in Kovy, what would we be talking about? People would be screaming because we didnt take any risk at all.

Who is more of a sure thing? Kovy or Camelleri? Who is les of a risk in terms of length and salary? Great move by Murray if you look around the league.

davetherave wrote:
In your fantasy, what happens to your signature?

Any team lead by Heatley is doomed for failure. He's so dumb that you could stick him in a corner and water him as a plant.

I dunno, I'm bored it of already to be honest. :^^^^: I could leave it though, because Heatley will never again be considered a leader of this team. I'd like to keep him for next year and see what our offence can do, but I want him out next summer - hopefully before July 1 so we can shop.

But as much as I denounce Heatley, his actions and ultimately his leadership ability, that's a pretty crazy card for Murray to put in play:

-You want out? You have to put up massive numbers so a team actually shows interest and puts together a package that I will accept.

-You want to play Olympic hockey, you better show Yzerman and co. that you don't suck. You'd better pot a bare arsed minimum of 40 goals next year. So...yeah...go and do it.

Those are two pretty awesome motivational tools for a back-to-back 50 goal guy IMO. cool)

Neely4Life wrote:If Murray didnt bring in Kovy, what would we be talking about? People would be screaming because we didnt take any risk at all.

I think we'd all be *hoping* the Heatley trade netted us what we needed...

Neely4Life wrote:Who is more of a sure thing? Kovy or Camelleri? Who is les of a risk in terms of length and salary? Great move by Murray if you look around the league.

Based on what was out there, yeah... the pickings were slim.

shabbs wrote:

beerandsens wrote:I just don't understand what risk we are talking about here? Who was the last team who got "burnt" by signing Kovalev?

I see the risk as being money spent on a player that has a lot of questions around his commitment to the team and consistency of performance and heart. We're in the process of trying to get rid of yet another head case, and I think the skeptics like me are worried AK will turn into another issue... but no one knows what the future will hold, and perhaps with him not having the same pressure as he did in Montreal, he'll shine... who knows.

I understand the position BM was put in... we need scoring, especially if we lose Heatley. AK brings that for sure - no question, he's got mad skill... but will it "gel" with the Sens? We'll see...

From strictly a skill standpoint, I think he will. He's been successful everyhwere he's been. If this was Sergei Samsonov, I'd have serious doubts, but Kovalev still produced on some not so great Habs teams in the past 5 years. Personally, I think a PPG isn't out of reach depending on how much time he gets with guys like Spezza and Alfie. We know he'll get his PP minutes for sure. He's been deadly on the PP the past few seasons. A PPG Kovalev gives us more than what we got out of Heatley last season, and Kovalev's hair isn't as laughable as David Letterman's like Heatley's is. For a guy who made $10 million in salary last year, you'd think he could do something about that. What does a buzz cut set you back at the Magicuts these days? $10 $12?