Confirmed Trade: [MTL/NJD] Johnathan Kovacevic for a 2026 conditional 4th round pick (best of the 3)

[MXD]

This isn't the D-Men that should've been gone.

 

[bud12]

Don't see Engstrom or Reinbacher as realistic options next year so basically
left side: Guhle, Hutson, Matheson, Xhekaj, Struble, Harris
right side: Savard, Barron, Mailloux

One of Mailloux or Hutson starts in Laval just due to numbers/waivers, but even with that they still need to move a lefty.

Good chance Guhle will play on the right side again next year

 

[loadie]

I really liked him but it was inevitable he would be replaced by more talented players. I wish him all the best in Jersey

 

[Souker]

This isn't the D-Men that should've been gone.

Of course he is.
The 2 most expandable D we had were Kovy and Harris. Wouldn’t be surprised if Harris gets shipped soon too.

People are making a big fuss about a decent bottom pairing D that’s not so young anymore with very limited upside. The value is right and he’s easily replaceable. He’s a 6-7. Good move, clear some space with the logjam.

 

[Kojo]

Good chance Guhle will play on the right side again next year

Hutson is a LD but can play on both sides. I liked Savard with Hutson in the small sample we had but Hutson with Guhle could work too.

 

[Whalers Fan]

Very good value for the Devils. Kovacevic flies completely under the radar, but he's an ideal, low-cost bottom pairing defenseman who leaves you feeling comfortable when he's on the ice.

It's a good deal for both teams. The Devils get a decent RD who can play on the 3rd pair at a reasonable cost, and the Habs get a mid-round pick for a player that they would otherwise have probably put on waivers before the start of the season. Win / win.

 

[CanadienShark]

Well something had to give in Montreal. We simply didn't have the space for everyone. Nice move by NJ. I think you'll be happy with him at that acquisition price.

 

[Treb]

Not the one I would've trade. I actually liked him. GL in NJ

Not a part of our future with all the kids coming in.

 

[HabsQC]

Not a part of our future with all the kids coming in.

Still would've traded Barron and kept him as depth. KOV is only 26

 

[Treb]

Still would've traded Barron and kept him as depth. KOV is only 26

Barron has more upside.

 

[HabsQC]

Barron has more upside.

Reinacher and Mailloux are likely our 2 top RHDs for the future. So where do you picture Barron ? On the 3rd pair ? I'd rather have a Kovacevic there than a Barron.

 

[Treb]

Reinacher and Mailloux are likely our 2 top RHDs for the future. So where do you picture Barron ? On the 3rd pair ? I'd rather have a Kovacevic there than a Barron.

Traded after Reinbacher and Mailloux establish themselves. By that time, Barron will likely have established himself and garner a better return than if traded now.

Maximizing assets.

 

[Xirik]

Isn't barron known more for offense? wouldn't that be Hutsons job?

 

[HabsQC]

Traded after Reinbacher and Mailloux establish themselves. By that time, Barron will likely have established himself and garner a better return than if traded now.

Maximizing assets.

I wish I had your optimism about Barron. I see him more going towards walking for nothing because he has no value than establishing himself, but I hope I'm wrong

 

[bud12]

Isn't barron known more for offense? wouldn't that be Hutsons job?

They don't play on the same side

 

[FerrisRox]

He's a big boi, right handed d who's below league min,

How could he be below the minimum?

 

[Jeune Poulet]

Kovacevic is a 6/7 that doesn't always use his size very well, doesn't have great hockey sense and unfortunately, doesn't have a mean streak. His play was encouraging his first year with us but he didn't grow at all the second year. He was less assertive on the ice.

It's getting late as a 27 years old, but he improved moving from the Jets to Montreal and he still has a shot establish himself for good in New Jersey. I was hoping we'd keep him. It's a contract year for him. It's make or break time.

Seems like a great guy. I hope it works out for him.

 

[biturbo19]

Not much of a return, but for a free waivers asset...easy come, easy go. That's fine. Everyone knew Habs needed to clear at least one of their logjam of bottom-pairing defencemen. I thought it'd be Barron as the odd man out, and also the one with a little more potential "upside". But this makes sense too. Kovacevic isn't a difference-maker and won't ever be at his age.

Fine enough as a #6/7/8D though. Which is probably all NJD will need him to be. Saving some cap.

 

[Captain97]

How could he be below the minimum?

Contract was signed when league min was lower. I think Joseph Woll on the leafs is in a similar boat.

 

[DEANYOUNGBLOOD17]

As a Jet fan, never liked that we lost him on Waivers. After 3 years on the Manitoba Moose he deserved his NHL shot as a 6/7 D-man.

 

[Maurice of Orange]

Montreal has to wait until 2026 to get a return on a free asset waiver claim.

 

[tmg]

How could he be below the minimum?

His actual salary is exactly the current league minimum 775k (just like Woll). His AAV / Cap Hit is less than the league minimum because the cap hit is the total amount of the contract divided equally among all years of the contract, and because the minimum was lower two years ago (the first year of his three year contract), the average is 766,667 (also, just like Woll).

 

[hobgoblin933]

thank God you arent the GM

You don't know that

 

[TGWL]

6th or 7th for a 4th is never bad.

 

[dgibb10]

If Pesce is signed, does this mean the Devils are keeping Nemec in the AHL to develop to start the year?

No it means Jonathan Kovacevic will sit in the press box most nights