Confirmed with Link: Jonathan Kovacevic traded to NJ for 2026 4th

[Guadana]

It's an interesting theory. I liked it more with Smith who could actually put an effective shift in at forward and serve a role as a PK D, but they rarely actually used him that way. I'm less enthused by 7D when it's a real rotation. But I could buy an argument that Kovacevic taking 9 minutes away from the other 6 D and giving more minutes to our top forward leads to more wins than Bastian or Foote skating around for that same time.

This is like I see it as one of the way the potentially can go. Our forth line doesnt look very solid and effective potentially - as offensively, as defensively. Kovacevich can play minor defensive starts and play PK role to rotate Hamilton/Nemec minutes. Of course this is an only one way they can try.

 

[Emperoreddy]

So anyone want to take a stab at why the f*** the Habs gave us this gift?

 

[Nubmer6]

So anyone want to take a stab at why the f*** the Habs gave us this gift?

Because Kovacevic doesn't speak French

 

[Hisch13r]

So anyone want to take a stab at why the f*** the Habs gave us this gift?

I mean I assume their (dumb) reasoning was they saw their right side having Reinbacher, Barron, Mailloux with Savard as the vet and thought Kovacevic was expendable to them. Still dumb reasoning as Reinbacher was 19, Mailloux was 21, and Barron was 22. None were established NHLers yet and none really guys where they were absolute locks to make it. Kovacevic on the other hand was only 27 and had given them 2 good years on a bad team. Like it should've been you go into the year with Kovy and Savard then the young guys battling it out for a spot. If multiple guys look ready then you can move on from Kovy if you want,

 

[Triumph]

I mean I assume their (dumb) reasoning was they saw their right side having Reinbacher, Barron, Mailloux with Savard as the vet and thought Kovacevic was expendable to them. Still dumb reasoning as Reinbacher was 19, Mailloux was 21, and Barron was 22. None were established NHLers yet and none really guys where they were absolute locks to make it. Kovacevic on the other hand was only 27 and had given them 2 good years on a bad team. Like it should've been you go into the year with Kovy and Savard then the young guys battling it out for a spot. If multiple guys look ready then you can move on from Kovy if you want,

Barron's waiver-eligible so that's a guy they wanted to keep. I think the issue for them was that if Kovacevic were ever to be the odd man out, he wouldn't bring back anything in trade - they got him off waivers to begin with - and he couldn't've been in their plans past this season.

It's a bad trade, but who knew Kovacevic had this sort of game in him - I doubt the Devils did.

 

[devilsblood]

Barron's waiver-eligible so that's a guy they wanted to keep. I think the issue for them was that if Kovacevic were ever to be the odd man out, he wouldn't bring back anything in trade - they got him off waivers to begin with - and he couldn't've been in their plans past this season.

It's a bad trade, but who knew Kovacevic had this sort of game in him - I doubt the Devils did.

Which begs the question: Did the Devils expect him to force Nemec out of the lineup?

I would say no, but maybe they were wary of too young guys playing big D minutes.

 

[AfroThunder396]

I think they expected Kovacevic to be the 7th and to "compete" in camp - light a fire under Nemec and make him feel like his spot isn't safe even though it probably is.

The combination of the offseason injury, Casey having the camp of his life, and Kovacevic being a secret Norris winner was kind of a nightmare scenario for Nemec.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Which begs the question: Did the Devils expect him to force Nemec out of the lineup?

I would say no, but maybe they were wary of too young guys playing big D minutes.

I think they expected Kovacevic to be the 7th and to "compete" in camp - light a fire under Nemec and make him feel like his spot isn't safe even though it probably is.

The combination of the offseason injury, Casey having the camp of his life, and Kovacevic being a secret Norris winner was kind of a nightmare scenario for Nemec.

You guys are overthinking this. Fitz has said the Kovacevic trade kind of fell into his lap. Keefe has said Kovacevic was supposed to be their 7th D.

They brought him in out of opportunity and to be solid D depth and he outperformed that. Simple as that

 

[AfroThunder396]

You guys are overthinking this. Fitz has said the Kovacevic trade kind of fell into his lap. Keefe has said Kovacevic was supposed to be their 7th D.

They brought him in out of opportunity and to be solid D depth and he outperformed that. Simple as that

That's literally what I said - to be a 7th D and compete in camp. That's what depth defensemen do.

 

[devilsblood]

You guys are overthinking this. Fitz has said the Kovacevic trade kind of fell into his lap. Keefe has said Kovacevic was supposed to be their 7th D.

They brought him in out of opportunity and to be solid D depth and he outperformed that. Simple as that

Which roundabouts to NJ, like Montreal, and apparently the rest of the league, didn't really view him as a legit top 4 defensive d-man.

Even though there were some stats that suggest he could have been. Some of the Montreal fans thought it was possible too.

Still I always find it Interesting how guys can be placed into situations where they perform well above expectations.

 

[devilsblood]

Another interesting question which arises is:

If Luke and Pesce were healthy out of the gate, does Sieg's get paired with Hamilton and Dillon with Nemec, thereby never giving Kova the opportunity?

 

[Whaddagoal]

Which roundabouts to NJ, like Montreal, and apparently the rest of the league, didn't really view him as a legit top 4 defensive d-man.

Even though there were some stats that suggest he could have been. Some of the Montreal fans thought it was possible too.

Still I always find it Interesting how guys can be placed into situations where they perform well above expectations.

Another interesting question which arises is:

If Luke and Pesce were healthy out of the gate, does Sieg's get paired with Hamilton and Dillon with Nemec, thereby never giving Kova the opportunity?

I think definitely both. Overachieving per "league view" expectations, and circumstance....... and a bit of contextual (which no one understands yet, maybe we will as the year or years go on).

I agree with you, its not we were so excessively smart, we probably had some baseline similar expectations as Montreal and other teams that were watching him. One of those times where just a stone is polished and ends up being really fine.

Circumstance being that Nemec came into camp hurt (that was HIS fault for choosing to play that NT game vs Kazakhstan -or whatever game he got injured in only 2 weeks before camp), Luke getting hurt, etc.

The contextual reasons, which none of us understand the truth of, but probably the mix of:
-Coaching
-Teammates (just a great bunch over here )
-Location (out of limelight or other reasons why NJ could be awesome fit)
-Kovacevic's personal work ethic / motivational reasons (playing for bigger contract, or just happy to be on a team that seemed to WANT him)

Whatever the deal is, i don't want it to stop. He is so good and I'm willing to re-sign him up if he continues to be so impactful.

This guy is at 6'5" (fridge built like MacDermid-esque), who can play good D, solid character, etc. hard working, physical (but not psycho).... not easy to find in the league, i don't think we should move on from him if there is such solid success.

Again, very early stages, but I'm ready to not let him go as of today.