Kovalchuk: Right guy, wrong team
Posted 6:42 PM ET | Comments 0
I find myself wondering if Thrashers GM Don Waddell traded star forward Ilya Kovalchuk to the Devils last week, as much to get what he deemed value as well as a final vengeful tactic in lieu of Kovalchuk's rejection of a new multi year max contract. Clearly after watching the Devils first 3 games, Kovalchuk has been ordinary yet is any more of him actually expected? The fact is aside from Team USA phenom Zach Parise, the Devils are as much a defensive minded team as they've always been. Kovalchuk is not that type of player. So my question is did Waddel make this deal with the hopes that his former star saw the light that the grass is not as green in New Jersey? I believe this to be quite possibly true.
Time will tell if the Devils made the right deal for the right price and history says they probably have. However, Ilya Kovalchuk complained for years that he had no one to play with in Atlanta but is going from linemates Nik Antropov and Maxim Afinogenov to Dainius Zubrus and Jamie Langenbrunner an upgrade? I think, and I'll bet Don Waddell thinks not!
Time will tell if the Devils made the right deal for the right price and history says they probably have. However, Ilya Kovalchuk complained for years that he had no one to play with in Atlanta but is going from linemates Nik Antropov and Maxim Afinogenov to Dainius Zubrus and Jamie Langenbrunner an upgrade? I think, and I'll bet Don Waddell thinks not!