Kovalev would consider retiring in Montreal

Mountains out of molehills. This was and is a non-story. Why don't you stop over at the "Quotes" thread and share your favorite?

I have to agree with Spez and others in quickly downplaying this story. I think Kovalev's family will still reside in Montreal, even while he plays for Ottawa.

Someone mentioned term, and I do believe Ottawa was the only one not offering a 1 year deal.

I have no doubt he'll play lights out in Ottawa. After the two years, if he still has a little gas in the tank, he'll likely sign a one year deal back with the Habs in order to retire in the Bleu, Blanc et Rouge.

I supsect the molehill is being made into a mountain simply because this IS Kovalev. At least, for me it is. I was not a fan of this signing when I heard about it. Actually, I almost puked. Hearing this just brings back those concerns. But, we'll see how it all unfolds and if he does net 30+ them I'll be smiling.

cas wrote:watch the whole interview on tsn and you'll see his whole way of discussing signing with Ottawa

I didn't see this on TSN (TV) and the only thing I read on TSN.ca is this:
http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=289008

There was no mention of Ottawa being the "last choice". The first I heard of it was when Jungle asked McGuire this morning, and Pierre said he hadn't heard that particular part.

SpezDispenser wrote:

Flo The Action wrote:ths worse then what i thought... great! ottawa is a last choice!
how did we go from stanlay cup finals to a last choice? when did ottawa become such an un-attractive destination?

i didn't like the kovalev signing then and i like it least now. when will i like it? when he nets his 30th.

You guys really have to sit back and let this go. Trust me, Ottawa was not his only choice. There are teams like Minny, LA, Tampa Bay, Nashville and on and on and on that were probably vying for his services. He was signed on July 3rd or whenever it was. If Ottawa was his only choice, would he sign so quickly?

You make a good point there for sure. Perfect examples of this being Tanguay and Sundin (If he still wants to play) and Schneider amongst others. They still haven't signed anywhere yet, why would Kovalev have pulled the trigger so quickly if he didn't actually want to play here. And, this was also a good choice of place to play for him since it's close to Montreal. I don't know, I'm not as upset about this as I was. Give him a few months playing here and getting adjusted and he'll enjoy his time here.

OK, just listened to the interview:
http://watch.tsn.ca/nhl/clip207909#clip207909

Definitely a bit of a language problem. No disrespect at all. In fact, he said that they did not want to wait too long in making a decision because it would not have been fair to Ottawa to make them wait. Essentially, he said that Montreal would not give him 3 years, and no other teams offered more than 1.

If anything, it sounded like Montreal *did* offer him a 2-year deal, which he did not take. Gainey quickly (very quickly) moved to pick up Gionta. So there may be some truth that Kovalev and his agent took a bit of a risk by making Montreal wait, losing out on that offer. I guess he didn't want to make the same mistake. This was his last chance for a 2-year deal, as all others were offering 1.

SpezDispenser wrote:

Flo The Action wrote:ths worse then what i thought... great! ottawa is a last choice!
how did we go from stanlay cup finals to a last choice? when did ottawa become such an un-attractive destination?

i didn't like the kovalev signing then and i like it least now. when will i like it? when he nets his 30th.

You guys really have to sit back and let this go. Trust me, Ottawa was not his only choice. There are teams like Minny, LA, Tampa Bay, Nashville and on and on and on that were probably vying for his services. He was signed on July 3rd or whenever it was. If Ottawa was his only choice, would he sign so quickly?

July 1 or July 3...hmmmm he may signed early unlike Tanguay but he did take his time to see whats out there...maybe he was worried the deals werent going to get better.

I am concerned about his wanting to retire in Montreal. I can understand if it was near the end of his Sens contract but this came out before he even put a step on the ice. Yes Montreal may have a special place in your heart but your a Sen know and you made that choice to come here. Kovy you better show up and put Montreal behind you for this season, and when montreal realizes how valuable you were to them, then Murray can send you back at seasons end.

He's talking to a Montreal reporter in Montreal, looks like he's on a golf course, so probably that charity tournament he holds. He loved it in Montreal, and he wants to play another 3 years. The Ottawa contract is for 2 years. Gainey should be gone by then, so he's welcome to retire a Hab if he wants. I don't care. This has been made into a story by the news-starved media muppets.

Here goes the media again twisting what is said and making into an issue that isn't there.

There's never been a secret how Kovy feels about Montreal.

I don't think he meant anything bad by saying last choice (Ottawa). He wouldnt' have signed here if he didn't want to play here.

God sometimes I wish the media would just FRANK OFF!!!!

wprager wrote:OK, just listened to the interview:
http://watch.tsn.ca/nhl/clip207909#clip207909

Definitely a bit of a language problem. No disrespect at all. In fact, he said that they did not want to wait too long in making a decision because it would not have been fair to Ottawa to make them wait. Essentially, he said that Montreal would not give him 3 years, and no other teams offered more than 1.

If anything, it sounded like Montreal *did* offer him a 2-year deal, which he did not take. Gainey quickly (very quickly) moved to pick up Gionta. So there may be some truth that Kovalev and his agent took a bit of a risk by making Montreal wait, losing out on that offer. I guess he didn't want to make the same mistake. This was his last chance for a 2-year deal, as all others were offering 1.

Nicely put into perspective wprager. Good job.