Confirmed Signing with Link: [MTL] Habs sign Kovalchuck (1 year, $700K)

[ETTHAKING67]

Good Move, no risk at all.

 

[Evgeny Oliker]

I'm curious to see how Kovalchuk does when Montreal is healthy. Would be interesting to see him with playmakers like Drouin...who knows he might do ok at least on their PP.

 

[BLNY]

Except he is a liability defensively.

Helps the tank if he's terrible.

 

[BLNY]

I get why MTL would do this if they still have playoff aspirations. It's a zero risk move. But why would Kovy go there of all places if his goal is to win a cup? Even completely healthy, that roster is not a playoff roster unless they do some serious overachieving for the rest of the year.

Pretty simple really. If he plays well, Montreal can and should flip him. Contending teams clearly weren't willing to give up a roster spot for him right now. He hasn't played in nearly 2 months. He plays well, contenders will inquire and maybe line up. He's signed before the cut off date, so there's no issue with playoff eligibility. Montreal can eat the whole contract and maximize return. Might only be a 5th, but that's okay for what amounts to a half year contract.

 

[MasterDecoy]

No risk move. What's the bloody problem?

BECAUSE I FEEL THE NEED TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE GM

 

[HughJazz3dg]

I mean, Montreal takes a low risk move on Ilya for either a run at the playoffs or for potential assets, and Ilya gets a chance to prove he can produce in a top 6 role still before the deadline.

 

[NobleSix]

Maybe there were no other teams seriously interested that could garauntee him a spot in their top 9? Idk.

I could see a situation where Bergevin told Kovy that they will give him top 9 minutes and if he turns things around with that opportunity then a contender will likely be willing to trade for him at the deadline.

Might have been his only shot at playing for a contender this year.

 

[HugoLalumiere]

Aw f***! Bergevin striking again? What the hell are we gonna do with that? At least he's cheap...

 

[SeanConn]

Wish the jets signed him back

 

[goldenbladz1]

Hoping he turns into Kovalev 2.0 I guess?

At least it's 700k. Thought Bargains would sign him for over 2 mil per. Enjoy the show Habs. He's so good....like 15 years ago .

Hopefully not the version that got wacked on the hand and skated to the bench giving up a breakaway.

 

[Fixxer]

I get the move for Montreal.

I don’t get why Kovalchuk did this. I thought he wanted to play for a contender??

He wanted to make a few $ before he goes back to the KHL next season.

 

[Ugene Magic]

For a trade chip?

 

[kilowatt]

Big brain move by Kovalchuk, the Habs have 4 more points than the Kings!

 

[Fixxer]

At least, that'll make message boards even more entertaining. lol

 

[King'sPawn]

Kovalchuk simply wanted to play.

No ill will towards the guy. Good luck to him. Unfortunate it didn't work out in LA.

 

[covfefe]

Except he is a liability defensively.

Perfect! We need to start sliding, fast.

 

[KingPuckChoo]

Montreal officially in rebuilding mode

 

[unicornpig]

Big brain move by Kovalchuk, the Habs have 4 more points than the Kings!

i'm sure montreal was the only team who offered him a contract.

 

[Bounces R Way]

At that price Bergevin would be crazy NOT to grab him. He's basically saving money.

 

[japhi]

Throwing **** at the wall here but maybe Montreal moves him at the TDL if they’re out of it and recoup a 4th or something?

Basically bought a draft pick no?

This is the play I would think. The folks thinking this is a desperate move to make the playoffs clearly don’t understand the meaning of the word. Or direction of the team. If anything this is the move of a complacent GM - a relatively small move that may yield a mid round pick at the TDL.

Desperation would have been making a play on Hall.

Habs haven’t made a win now move in years. Traded Max for picks and prospects, Shaw for picks. Picking up a bunch of vet expiring contracts. MB drives Habs fans so mental they can’t see that this is a team that hasn’t been trying very hard to win for a few years, clearly in a rebuild. I expect a bunch of these Vets including Kovy if he plays well plus guys on deals like Kulak/ Tatar move at the deadline for mid round 2020 picks.

 

[LeafSteel]

Ending ov = ev does that help you ?

Thanks for this.

Damn spellcheck.....

 

[LaTenderness]

Bergevin is the most entertaining GM

And handsomest

 

[sheed36]

Kovalchuk simply wanted to play.

No ill will towards the guy. Good luck to him. Unfortunate it didn't work out in LA.

On Montreal sports radio I thought they said that his agent said there were teams interested but Kovalchuk just wanted to play now and didn't want to wait any longer.

Getting to play an offensive role on an injured Habs team right now should be a good audition for him to show any interested contenders he still has some game left. If he flops though no big deal and everyone just moves on.

I don't see any risk in this move for the Habs or Kovalchuk really. If Kovalchuk plays well the Habs can then move him to a contender at the deadline and the Habs likely get a pick out of it.

 

[Saxon]

 

[BudBundy]

Plan the parade! Lol