Last week, ESPN's Pierre LeBrun presented a theory that the Blackhawks could get involved in trade talks with the Atlanta Thrashers for superstar winger Ilya Kovalchuk. For the uninitiated, Kovalchuk is one of the top wingers in the NHL. He's the textbook definition of sniper. He's only 26 years old, and has already scored 50 goals twice in his career.
Usually, I'd say no chance on this kind of deal, and ignore it like I do so many others, but when you really break it down, it's nearly a perfect deal for both teams.
It's no secret that the Blackhawks need to shed salary to be under the cap next season. Key players need to be resigned, and the Hawks will have to choose who stays and who goes. Atlanta needs to reach a contract with Kovalchuk, who's contract expires after this season, or risk losing him for nothing. A franchise as fragile as the Thrashers can not lose their only draw for nothing. GM Don Waddell has to either resign Kovalchuk, or pick up big talent in a deal. The Hawks are the team that can give them that talent.
For the Hawks to acquire Kovalchuk, it would almost certainly take some combination of two of these players: Patrick Sharp, Kris Versteeg, Cam Barker, and Dustin Byfuglien. Atlanta is also said to be after goaltending, so assume Corey Crawford would be thrown in as well, along with a pick here or there.
All of these players, with the exception of Crawford, have salaries in the $3 million range. Kovalchuk's cap hit is $6.4 million. The Hawks could rent Kovalchuk for a playoff run, and be an absolutely deadly team...easily the best on paper in the league, while solving their cap issues for next season in one fell swoop.
Admittedly, that's a huge package of players of a rent-a-player. Can the Hawks afford to make this trade? On paper, yes. The Hawks D can survive without Cam Barker. He's steadily improved his game, but Jordan Hendry has proven to be good enough to play every night. If a defenseman should get injured, it could pose a problem, but the Hawks do have some defensive depth in the minors, and have recently signed defensive prospect Shawn Lalonde, who could come up and play in an emergency.
Offensively, losing two of Sharp, Versteeg or Byfuglien looks bad, but remember Dave Bolland and Adam Burish are due back, and Kovalchuk alone will come close to matching the combined numbers of 2 of these 3.
Of couse no deal is perfect. The risk is the Hawks disrupting their almost unmatched team chemistry. Losing someone like Versteeg, Byfuglien, or most of all Sharp, could certainly hurt that chemistry. As they are currently constructed, the Hawks have as good a chance as anyone to win the Stanley Cup this season. A deal isn't necessary, but I definitely think it's worth the risk. The Hawks have the mix of skill and leadership to overcome a hit to their chemistry. However, Patrick Sharp would be the last guy I would deal here. If he's what it takes, so be it, but avoid losing him until it's absolutely necessary to get the deal done.
Kovalchuk is a one of a kind talent, and could be the difference between winning and losing a Cup. That's all that matters. A team's window is only open for so long. Stan Bowman, prove to me you're awake, and get it done!
Filed under: Blackhawks, Chicago Sports, Corey Crawford, danny mac show, dave bolland, dustin byfuglien, goaltending, hockey, Ilya Kovalchuk, NHL, patrick sharp, sports, wscr
Tags: blackhawks, chicago sports, corey crawford, danny mac show, dave bolland, dustin byfuglien, goaltending, hockey, ilya kovalchuk, NHL, patrick sharp, Sports, wscr
Jay I'm with you 100%. Kovalchuk is an elite sniper, maybe one of the few players in the league who is better than Hossa, Toews or Kane. I have complete faith in The Bowmans making the right move for the organization! Go Hawks!
You forget one big thing Jay. This guy is as selfish as they come. As soon as things don't go his way, he goes away. Think a flashier version of Alexi Zhamnov.
Unless Stan & Co know this guy can fit VERY WELL into Q's system, there's no way this trade is made, regardless of how it could help the '10-'11 cap issues via a rental player.
The 'Hawks don't need another guy up front, especially with Bolland coming back. He's the true need up front, a centre.
What the 'Hawks need is a big mobile defenceman. The biggest weakness last season was the lack of mobile defencemen. Barker is slow and Sopel essentially replaced Walker. That puts too much pressure on DK, Seabs, Soupy and the hammer.
Wanna make a trade? Go after a big, bruising, mobile defenceman.
Totally agree, although he is an enormous offensive talent, please no more one-dimensional Russian players. The Hawks have more than enough scoring punch up front, what is needed is to add a physical presence to protect against the goon tactics which inevitably will be employed by lesser teams to try and throw the Hawks off their game. I wouldn't mess too much with the chemistry they have going in the room now..
Some thoughts...
Kovalchuk is a top 5 player in the NHL. If you think the Hawks wouldn't want him because he's "selfish" because he's only offensive-minded then you're wrong. If that were the case, why would the Hawks have tried so hard to deal for Heatley in the last off-season? He's worse defensively and a bigger clubhouse cancer.
Much in the same way Kane has adjusted his game, Kovalchuk could do the same. He's that good and I've seen him play on international stages with Team Russia where he had no issue with effort on the defensive end.
The whole backchecking argument doesn't hold much water in terms of what the Hawks value in terms of his recent behavior.
That said, I don't think a Kovalchuk deal happens. Even though Kovy's addition would fill a few holes in this team, in all likelihood, the price will be steep and Bowman decides to spin assets off in lesser deals for some combination of a lesser need-based rental this year and role players/picks for next.
I dont think he will fit into whats goinig on in that clubhouse. I think pairing him with Hossa is the most positive aspect of the deal because Sharp will be the one gone. It helps that Hossa and him were teamates but he does come with ego baggage.
Sure it sucks that if we dont make a midseason trade we get hosed in the offseason but what if this potential trade stirs up some bad blood in a bunch of new kids who dont want to lose a captain like player in Sharp for a guy who is a 1/2 version of Ovechkin? Wisnewski was one thing but to bring in an egomaniac who is capable of stealing the limelight away from a team that is without the "Hood Ornament" player might be risky.
I know a trade has to happen but Kovi might just be what the rest of the leage wants the Hawks to get.
Leave this team alone. At some point during the season, this team will struggle. In the end, this team will continue to make history. These players a playing like a "Team". Leave them alone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't want to say he is or isn't, because I don't know the guy personally, but maybe I'm missing something here...
Why is everyone insisting that Ilya Kovalchuk is a "me first" guy or can't play a team game? What is this "ego baggage" that people are insisting he has?
As far as dealing Sharp for Kovalchuk, a few things:
1) That would be dependant, largely, on Bolland's status. As long as Bolland is not completely healthy, Sharp goes nowhere. He's the only guy that has proven capable of effectively centering the 2nd line.
2) That also assumes Sharp would be a guy getting sent to Atlanta. If we fans see the chemistry this team has, don't you think the front-office does as well? Bowman is a bright guy, and I'm sure he's aware of the potential ramifications of dealing away 'good clubhouse guys'...especially for a guy so many of you have labeled as a 'bad clubhouse guy'...
And to say Ovie is 2x the player that Kovalchuk is, isn't completely true. Kovalchuk is a top 5 talent in the NHL.
Guys, thanks for all the comments. I appreciate it. Feel free to comment whenever you feel compelled.
If it aint broke, dont try to fix it.
JAY: Would you not prefer to send CAM BARKER to OTTAWA for RYAN SHANNON and ALEX PICARD ??? I've seen these 2 play and they are easily a decent trade for THE BARKSTER. As far as KOVALCHUK goes, I've already stated that his acquisition by the HAWKS is a once in a decade type pickup that has to be made, BUT NOT AS A RENTAL PLAYER. The HAWKS can easily sign this guy for 5 years plus at a reported $10 mill. per season salary request by trading $10-$12 mill. in players to ATLANTA. We might consider adding DUSTIN BUFUGLIEN in that swap, but not KRIS VERSTEEG. What would be wrong with my original suggestion, that we send SHARP, BICKELL, BROUWER, HENDRY, KOPECKY, and SOPEL ??? And why would ATLANTA be interested in a goalie when they have PAVELEC ??? i would actually like to keep CRAWFORD to serve as NIEMI'S backup when we can separate us from HUET's contract. Lemme know your thoughts at katlovers08@verizon.net or give me a call at 541-469-5968. Reg TOM
daddio: solid argument for sure...and i probably agree on the defenseman thing. i'm just saying it's hard to pass on a talent like kovy, when you need to clear salary anyway.
scott niedermayer may be the defensive equivalent to kovy, as the ducks are going nowhere, but i'm pretty sure he'll be going back to NJ. if BOTH are available, Nieds should be the focus.