Kovalchuk to be the next $100M man?

Kovalchuk is the perfect salesman for the team. Despite occasional
frustration with losing, he has never demanded a trade or been tainted
by any whiff of scandal. He’s worked hard to improve his game. His wife
is Russian, but their two children are Georgia-born, with a third on
the way. People joke about the fan base, but make no mistake, he is
beloved. If Kovalchuk leaves, you might as well lock the doors, pack up
the big trucks and move the franchise.

He is more of a leader than he gets credit for. He’s embraced the
captaincy, aiding Waddell in recruiting several players who’ve helped
the Thrashers get off to a good start. It was Kovalchuk who ordered
Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin to settle their differences, not wanting
their feud to jeopardize Russia’s Olympic chances.

Tuk Tuk wrote:This article really makes me respect Kovalchuk more.

Kovalchuk is the perfect salesman for the team. Despite occasional
frustration with losing, he has never demanded a trade or been tainted
by any whiff of scandal. He’s worked hard to improve his game. His wife
is Russian, but their two children are Georgia-born, with a third on
the way. People joke about the fan base, but make no mistake, he is
beloved. If Kovalchuk leaves, you might as well lock the doors, pack up
the big trucks and move the franchise.

He is more of a leader than he gets credit for. He’s embraced the
captaincy, aiding Waddell in recruiting several players who’ve helped
the Thrashers get off to a good start. It was Kovalchuk who ordered
Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin to settle their differences, not wanting
their feud to jeopardize Russia’s Olympic chances.

...he has never demanded a trade or been tainted
by any whiff of scandal

shabbs wrote:They should make him a $150M man.

$10M x 15 years

That will take him to age 41.

SpezDispenser wrote:

shabbs wrote:They should make him a $150M man.

$10M x 15 years

That will take him to age 41.

Are you serious? 10 million? Or are you kidding? 8.5 is the max I'd go for him IMO, but I see how much he's worth to the Thrashers.

SensFan71 wrote:Man if this deal gets consumated, the wind will go out of the sails of Brian Burke, I think Toronto fans/brass think that every big name upcoming FA is Toronto's to lose, it seemed to be that way with Nash and I imagine up until Kovalchuk puts pen to paper on a deal with Atlanta, the Leafs will be thinking they can get this guy.

wprager wrote:

SensFan71 wrote:Man if this deal gets consumated, the wind will go out of the sails of Brian Burke, I think Toronto fans/brass think that every big name upcoming FA is Toronto's to lose, it seemed to be that way with Nash and I imagine up until Kovalchuk puts pen to paper on a deal with Atlanta, the Leafs will be thinking they can get this guy.

I'm not sure the fans think that anymore. Tickets for Leafs games are getting sold for half price. To borrow a line from Wallace and Gromit, the spring has gone out of their bungie.

beedub wrote:I'll bet he gets 9 million per. 8 or 9 year deal

SensFan71 wrote:

wprager wrote:

SensFan71 wrote:Man if this deal gets consumated, the wind will go out of the sails of Brian Burke, I think Toronto fans/brass think that every big name upcoming FA is Toronto's to lose, it seemed to be that way with Nash and I imagine up until Kovalchuk puts pen to paper on a deal with Atlanta, the Leafs will be thinking they can get this guy.

I'm not sure the fans think that anymore. Tickets for Leafs games are getting sold for half price. To borrow a line from Wallace and Gromit, the spring has gone out of their bungie.

About time they came crashing back to reality, but at the same time, has Ottawa sold out a home game yet? Maybe it's the economic times playing a role instead?