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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Oct 31, 2008 12:32:04 GMT -5
Came across this. www.rds.ca/hockey/chroniques/262680.htmlApologies guys. I don't have the time to translate today. Anyone else please feel free. Would cost us some salary and talent me thinks. One of the Kostitsyns, Higgins + + I remember Andre Savard going after him very aggressively the day Kovalchuk was drafted. He offered up Theodore, Rivet (I think) and two first-round picks, then sweetened the offer only to have Atlanta keep their selection. I could be wrong on that though, guys. Please go ahead and print what actually transpired. Got to run. Cheers. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2008 13:11:49 GMT -5
Hey, Dis. The writing seems quite tentative, using a lot of "could" "would" "should" in regards to this rumour. It's kind of funny, in a way. Here's my translation of it:
According to the Sport-Express Daily, the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs have made efforts to aquire Russian forward Ilya Kovalchuk of the Atlanta Thrashers.
The negociations would have started at the time of the previous meeting between the general managers last week.
The Thrashers could consider removing themselves of Kovalchuk, who may be growing bored of playing for a losing team. Kovalchuk is the highest scorer in the history of the team.
Atlanta has a record of 2-6-2 since the beginning of the season.
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Oct 31, 2008 13:49:01 GMT -5
Thanks Mattias. Had I known just how obscure this article was then I probably wouldn't have posted it. Comes out like some journalist's speculation on 'whatever' only.
Cheers.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Oct 31, 2008 14:59:40 GMT -5
Habs seemed to be linked in "rumours" to a lot of high profile forwards. Not quite what I think the Habs need, but interesting to see these popping up all over the place these days. Last time I checked a stud defender would be just what the doctor ordered. I am willing to wait until the new year, as likely is Gainey. He is not going to totally ruin team chemistry this early in the season. Best to wait until the season is well along and it is a lot clearer what gaps the team may have at that point. A lot of hockey to be played before early March and the deadline.
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Post by seventeen on Oct 31, 2008 22:41:36 GMT -5
Carbo would probably bench him. He's too young, and he's Russian.
I had been thinking about Kovalchuk, as I do about great players on any team that has a poor record with little hope of improvement. He's not quite an Alex Ovechkin, but he's very close and a great sniper. Left winger too. He'd be one guy I would think seriously of pursuing. Despite the lousy track record on Atlanta, he hasn't been a problem child and last year he was front and centre in the Thrashers push for the playoffs.
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Post by franko on Nov 1, 2008 7:40:59 GMT -5
In Russia . . . extended stay . . . hmmmm . . .
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Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on Nov 1, 2008 20:51:16 GMT -5
Kovalchouk is a great player. He is unhappy where he is and all of our players are happy where they are. (If not they're back in Russia)
As a coach of my own kids, I would not trade one of my own sons for a high maintenance guy on another team with natural more talent, especially when my team is doing well.
I'm not a Don Cherry, but Russian talent is not as secure an asset as Canadian kids in this economic climate.
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Nov 1, 2008 21:29:44 GMT -5
I'm not a Don Cherry, but Russian talent is not as secure an asset as Canadian kids in this economic climate. That's a different way of putting especially as it pertains to our club, HFLA. I mean, IMHO, Perezhogin could easily be playing for another NHL club, but he just got caught up in the Habs' talent pool. Can the same be said of Valentenko as well? I haven't really followed his progress other than what the guys are leaving here on the boards, so I honestly don't know. But, could V be playing in the show elsewhere regularly? Cheers. |
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Post by seventeen on Nov 1, 2008 23:13:47 GMT -5
Probably for the worst defensive teams, Dis, but it's more likely he'd be ready by Feb or March of this year. Heck he's only 21. I think he got conned and sucked in my more immediate gratification rather than looking at the long term.
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Post by clear observer on Nov 2, 2008 9:25:36 GMT -5
Probably for the worst defensive teams, Dis, but it's more likely he'd be ready by Feb or March of this year. Heck he's only 21. I think he got conned and sucked in my more immediate gratification rather than looking at the long term. How much inspiration can one draw from a scenario that sees a 38 yr old Patrice Brisebois on the big club? Ok, Ok, I'll stop.  |
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Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on Nov 2, 2008 16:25:35 GMT -5
I'm not a Don Cherry, but Russian talent is not as secure an asset as Canadian kids in this economic climate. That's a different way of putting especially as it pertains to our club, HFLA. I mean, IMHO, Perezhogin could easily be playing for another NHL club, but he just got caught up in the Habs' talent pool. Can the same be said of Valentenko as well? I haven't really followed his progress other than what the guys are leaving here on the boards, so I honestly don't know. But, could V be playing in the show elsewhere regularly? Cheers. I don't have a channel to secret inside information, and I try not to make things up like Eklund. I think that: a) Valentenko and Emelin are not Ovetchkin and Kovalchouk talents that force Gainey to insert them in the lineup. b) They have the option to play in their own country in front of their family and friends. c) They get more money and pay less taxes than they would in Hamilton. I try to think what my son would do if we lived in Moscow and he went to Montreal to pursue his NHL dreams. If the choice is enjoy a good life in Moscow ?? with a great salary and no taxes, or toil in anonomity in some place called Hamilton 7,000 miles away for AHL minimum wage. I have a built in prejudice that North America is the best place to live, MTV, internet, text messaging, Oprah and Obama? Reality is life can be good in Russia when you have fame and fortune, Rolex and Ferrari. I grew up worshiping the CH and the men who wore the sweater. Kids in Russia don't have that same loyalty. I miss my kids when they are out of town, even for a weekend. Emelin and Valentenko haven't earned a spot ahead of Hamerlik, Komisarek and Markov. They haven't outclassed Boullion, Gorges and O'byrne. (won't mention Brisebois but you can outclass him simply by not showing up) Em and Val are not the devil because they rejected us. They either are not willing or not ready. They may improve their games, speed, judgement and strength and try again or settle into their respective Russian teams and lives. Perezhoegin got a bad deal for high sticking in retaliation to sticks to his head. His game has improves (as has Plekanec's). If they become superstars in Russia, they may return or may happily collect big check$ elsewhere. Mixed feelings?   ;D             |
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Post by seventeen on Nov 3, 2008 1:13:00 GMT -5
Probably for the worst defensive teams, Dis, but it's more likely he'd be ready by Feb or March of this year. Heck he's only 21. I think he got conned and sucked in my more immediate gratification rather than looking at the long term. How much inspiration can one draw from a scenario that sees a 38 yr old Patrice Brisebois on the big club? Ok, Ok, I'll stop. Just don't be anywhere near him if he's driving his Porsche, CO. I hear he carries a grudge. |
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Post by blny on Nov 3, 2008 7:16:11 GMT -5
I'm not sure I'd be that interested at this point. Kovalchuk, no matter how talented, seems to be getting more and more tempermental. His play seems quite selfish. He's failed to lead the team to the playoffs consistently, and when there he disappeared. Things in our locker room are so good right now, I just don't see the need to uproot it for that player.
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Post by clear observer on Nov 3, 2008 10:45:46 GMT -5
Kovalchuk: simply the purest sniper on the globe, IMO.
Why wouldn't the Habs want this?
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Post by Skilly on Nov 3, 2008 11:59:06 GMT -5
Kovalchuk: simply the purest sniper on the globe, IMO. Why wouldn't the Habs want this? Because we have "Mr. 40" on left wing. |
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Post by CentreHice on Nov 3, 2008 13:46:34 GMT -5
If Higgins would be the pot sweetener for Kovalchuk...I'd do it.
Yeah, Chris bleeds the Habs....but I just haven't seen enough consistency. In fact, I've seen a more timid Higgins since his ankle injury. And a timid Higgins...a timid anybody....won't get the job done.
Who knows? Perhaps all Kovalchuk needs is a change of scenery. He just may flourish in Montreal.
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Post by The New Guy on Nov 3, 2008 14:56:36 GMT -5
I'm not sure I'd be that interested at this point. Kovalchuk, no matter how talented, seems to be getting more and more tempermental. His play seems quite selfish. He's failed to lead the team to the playoffs consistently, and when there he disappeared. Things in our locker room are so good right now, I just don't see the need to uproot it for that player. Tempermental, or fed up by a team that can't put a half-decent team around him. It could swing either way, but I think Kovalchuk would look good here. Stick him on a line with any combination of Koivu, Tanguay, Kovalev, Plekanec and the Kostitsyns and you have a scary, scary line. Imagine if our lineup looked like this: Kovalchuk-Koivu-Tanguay (possibly the fastest line in the league right there) A Kostitsyn-Plekanec-Kovalev (although Kovalchuk might want to play on this line too - playing with Kovalev and Kovalchuk on the same line is a defenseman and goalies worst nightmare) Latendresse/Higgins-Lang-S Kostitsyn Kostopolous/Dandeault-Begin/Lapierre-Laraque What line do you cover there? |
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Post by CrocRob on Nov 3, 2008 16:39:13 GMT -5
I'm not sure I'd be that interested at this point. Kovalchuk, no matter how talented, seems to be getting more and more tempermental. His play seems quite selfish. He's failed to lead the team to the playoffs consistently, and when there he disappeared. Things in our locker room are so good right now, I just don't see the need to uproot it for that player. Tempermental, or fed up by a team that can't put a half-decent team around him. It could swing either way, but I think Kovalchuk would look good here. Stick him on a line with any combination of Koivu, Tanguay, Kovalev, Plekanec and the Kostitsyns and you have a scary, scary line. Imagine if our lineup looked like this: Kovalchuk-Koivu-Tanguay (possibly the fastest line in the league right there) A Kostitsyn-Plekanec-Kovalev (although Kovalchuk might want to play on this line too - playing with Kovalev and Kovalchuk on the same line is a defenseman and goalies worst nightmare) Latendresse/Higgins-Lang-S Kostitsyn Kostopolous/Dandeault-Begin/Lapierre-Laraque What line do you cover there? The line where none of that fits anywhere near under the salary cap. Kovalchuk is nice and fancy, but someone tell me the last time that a scoring winger led his team to a Stanley Cup. Kovalchuk would without a doubt be the best player on the Habs, and while history doesn't dictate the future, it can certainly hint at it. I reckon it's been 20 years since a team won the Cup while their best player was a scoring winger (Calgary, '89). And even that's questionable. Defense and goaltending wins championships, not pretty goals. I'd rather spend accordingly. |
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Post by franko on Nov 3, 2008 17:09:26 GMT -5
The line where none of that fits anywhere near under the salary cap. The line where none of that fits anywhere near under the salary cap and we only add a player but don't lose anyone. I guess we just say "take a few of our players from the farm and a bag of pucks and we'll call it even". There will be no trades made until after Christmas, if then. |
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Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on Nov 3, 2008 19:43:40 GMT -5
I'm not sure I'd be that interested at this point. Kovalchuk, no matter how talented, seems to be getting more and more tempermental. His play seems quite selfish. He's failed to lead the team to the playoffs consistently, and when there he disappeared. Things in our locker room are so good right now, I just don't see the need to uproot it for that player. Tempermental, or fed up by a team that can't put a half-decent team around him. It could swing either way, but I think Kovalchuk would look good here. Stick him on a line with any combination of Koivu, Tanguay, Kovalev, Plekanec and the Kostitsyns and you have a scary, scary line. Imagine if our lineup looked like this: Kovalchuk-Koivu-Tanguay (possibly the fastest line in the league right there) A Kostitsyn-Plekanec-Kovalev (although Kovalchuk might want to play on this line too - playing with Kovalev and Kovalchuk on the same line is a defenseman and goalies worst nightmare) Latendresse/Higgins-Lang-S Kostitsyn Kostopolous/Dandeault-Begin/Lapierre-Laraque What line do you cover there? When I was a younger man, I fell into the trap of wonderful lines. In 1972 I was at the forum waiting for: Esposito, Mahovlich, Perrault, Cournoyer, Ratelle, Dionne, Martin, Clarke, Gilbert, Hull and Redmond to fill the Soviet net with 60 goals. I forgot that a team also needs Henderson, Cashman, Ellis, Goldsworthy, Parise and Berenson performing their non-scoring roles to have a well rounded team. You can't have a team made up of pp goal scoring specialists who all want ice time. Kostopolous, Begin, Lapierre and Laraque combined may not score as many goals as Kovalchuk, but they contribute in other essential ways. |
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Post by The New Guy on Nov 3, 2008 20:05:56 GMT -5
Tempermental, or fed up by a team that can't put a half-decent team around him. It could swing either way, but I think Kovalchuk would look good here. Stick him on a line with any combination of Koivu, Tanguay, Kovalev, Plekanec and the Kostitsyns and you have a scary, scary line. Imagine if our lineup looked like this: Kovalchuk-Koivu-Tanguay (possibly the fastest line in the league right there) A Kostitsyn-Plekanec-Kovalev (although Kovalchuk might want to play on this line too - playing with Kovalev and Kovalchuk on the same line is a defenseman and goalies worst nightmare) Latendresse/Higgins-Lang-S Kostitsyn Kostopolous/Dandeault-Begin/Lapierre-Laraque What line do you cover there? When I was a younger man, I fell into the trap of wonderful lines. In 1972 I was at the forum waiting for: Esposito, Mahovlich, Perrault, Cournoyer, Ratelle, Dionne, Martin, Clarke, Gilbert, Hull and Redmond to fill the Soviet net with 60 goals. I forgot that a team also needs Henderson, Cashman, Ellis, Goldsworthy, Parise and Berenson performing their non-scoring roles to have a well rounded team. You can't have a team made up of pp goal scoring specialists who all want ice time. Kostopolous, Begin, Lapierre and Laraque combined may not score as many goals as Kovalchuk, but they contribute in other essential ways. Indeed - that's why they have a line. I also consider Koivu and to a lesser extent Kovalev character guys. Kovalev might not have the same kind of heart and soul Koivu has, but when he gets it in his mind to do something there's no one in the league who can stop him. Determination personified. Plus we have all kinds of character guys on the blueline. Bouillon is hell on wheels. Not the greatest defenseman, but he's got that spark (I remember seeing him fight someone on the Rangers once - Poti maybe - who looked like he had a good six inches on Frank the Tank. Bouillon didn't care - he fought him anyways). Komisarek has a leadership quality to him. Hamrlik is a bit of a father figure. Plenty of character on the bench too. It's not the same I know, but when your coaching staff is Guy Carbonneau (former Canadiens captain, won two Stanley Cups with the team), Kirk Muller (former Canadiens captain, won a Stanley Cup with the team), Rick Green (won a Stanley Cup with the team) and Rollie Melanson (won two Stanley Cups with the Islanders). And then there's Gainey in the head office. Let's not forget him. Also, character players are overrated. The 1998 Canadian Men's Olympic Team had more than it's fair share of character players (Zaumner, Primeau, Linden et al) and didn't medal. Four years later the 2002 team (with some questionable choices in goal, but otherwise a much more skilled team) takes the gold. |
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Post by blny on Nov 3, 2008 21:10:24 GMT -5
I don't think there's enough puck for Kovalchuk and Kovalev to play on the same line. The 'natural' fit would be with Koivu.
It's all moot though. I don't think it's a move we need to make. We're not starving for goals.
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Post by Skilly on Nov 4, 2008 7:54:32 GMT -5
but someone tell me the last time that a scoring winger led his team to a Stanley Cup. You'd have to define what you meant by "led" .... 2007-08 - Even though (C) Zetterberg led the team in scoring, Detroit does not win without (W) Frazen's 13 goals (most of them clutch goals). 2006-07 - (W) Teemu Selanne (and (W) Corey Perry) were crucial to winning even though (C) Getzlaf led the team in scoring by 2 points. 2005-06 - (C) Eric Stall leads the team in points, barely, over (W) Stillman. I must admit I really thought there was a leading winger scorer in one of the top three, but I was wrong ... I thought it was twice in the last 4 years. The obvious one that jumped out at me when I read your post was Tampa.... 2003-04 - (C) Brad Richards leads team in playoff scoring, but if you don't consider the Art Ross/Hart winning St. Louis as "leading" his team then I have no answer .... unless you consider him a "playmaking" winger, since you asked for a scoring winger? hmmmm? |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Nov 4, 2008 8:14:02 GMT -5
Tempermental, or fed up by a team that can't put a half-decent team around him. It could swing either way, but I think Kovalchuk would look good here. Stick him on a line with any combination of Koivu, Tanguay, Kovalev, Plekanec and the Kostitsyns and you have a scary, scary line. Imagine if our lineup looked like this: Kovalchuk-Koivu-Tanguay (possibly the fastest line in the league right there) A Kostitsyn-Plekanec-Kovalev (although Kovalchuk might want to play on this line too - playing with Kovalev and Kovalchuk on the same line is a defenseman and goalies worst nightmare) Latendresse/Higgins-Lang-S Kostitsyn Kostopolous/Dandeault-Begin/Lapierre-Laraque What line do you cover there? When I was a younger man, I fell into the trap of wonderful lines. In 1972 I was at the forum waiting for: Esposito, Mahovlich, Perrault, Cournoyer, Ratelle, Dionne, Martin, Clarke, Gilbert, Hull and Redmond to fill the Soviet net with 60 goals. I forgot that a team also needs Henderson, Cashman, Ellis, Goldsworthy, Parise and Berenson performing their non-scoring roles to have a well rounded team. You can't have a team made up of pp goal scoring specialists who all want ice time. Kostopolous, Begin, Lapierre and Laraque combined may not score as many goals as Kovalchuk, but they contribute in other essential ways. You're right, HFLA, a team needs its role players. But, I find it's the teams that get the most out of their role players that does the best. Henderson made the team, I think, because of his desire of wanting to be there. He could have been easily replaced had Bobby Hull been allowed to participate. But, in the end, it was a line that was thrown together at the last minute that made the difference; Henderson/Clark/Ellis. Granted the Esposito line made a difference too, but if you talk to Phil it was all because of him. Cheers. |
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Post by CentreHice on Nov 4, 2008 8:23:11 GMT -5
You need a combo of everything to win the Cup....starting in net....strong d.....great special teams....and skilled, opportunistic forwards who are big on puck possession and more than capable of filling the net.
Not too many Cups are won with kitty-bar-the-door hockey.
Again, it's the team that can turn it up a notch and adapt during playoff games and series that gets the job done. And that's the ability we're missing. It's the blend of skill and toughness (mental/physical work ethic) that creates the confidence needed.
Kovalchuk would give us more skill. Most games I've seen from him, he is more than willing to put in the work. This Habs' team just may be the perfect fit, especially when he knows that work is actually going to pay off.
I wonder how much he would respect Kovalev and Markov.
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Post by CrocRob on Nov 4, 2008 9:30:06 GMT -5
but someone tell me the last time that a scoring winger led his team to a Stanley Cup. You'd have to define what you meant by "led" .... 2007-08 - Even though (C) Zetterberg led the team in scoring, Detroit does not win without (W) Frazen's 13 goals (most of them clutch goals). 2006-07 - (W) Teemu Selanne (and (W) Corey Perry) were crucial to winning even though (C) Getzlaf led the team in scoring by 2 points. 2005-06 - (C) Eric Stall leads the team in points, barely, over (W) Stillman. I must admit I really thought there was a leading winger scorer in one of the top three, but I was wrong ... I thought it was twice in the last 4 years. The obvious one that jumped out at me when I read your post was Tampa.... 2003-04 - (C) Brad Richards leads team in playoff scoring, but if you don't consider the Art Ross/Hart winning St. Louis as "leading" his team then I have no answer .... unless you consider him a "playmaking" winger, since you asked for a scoring winger? hmmmm? Well the above are perfectly valid examples, but not really what I was suggesting. Leading a team in scoring isn't my definition of leading a team, I'm more interested in the team makeup since scoring can't be projected. Kovalchuk would be the highest-paid player (and probably considered the most talented) on the Habs, and while St. Louis was good, he had Lecavalier and Richards who I both consider to be better players. Selanne had Niedermayer and Pronger, and Franzen had Zetterburg, Lidstrom and a litany of other players on that team. Carolina could be an example. Hard to say who was really a better player than Stillman, since they really lacked any kind of excellent players. Who would Kovalchuk have? Kovalev? Markov? Certainly not better than him and given that the structure of a team with the salary cap now dictates that your best player is normally also your highest-paid, it's even more important than ever, in my opinion, to NOT invest in superstar wingers before the rest of your team is set up to carry most of the load. Maybe it's a diva mentality or having your best players be able to be on the ice at all times (Kovalchuk would not be that). I'm just saying that if I'm in Gainey's shoes, I'm not signing Kovalchuk to a contract. Renting him for a fair price could be okay, but I also think it's a risk to disrupt the balance of the locker room. Scoring wingers are nice, but they're not what you invest in to win the Cup. |
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Post by Doc Holliday on Nov 4, 2008 10:13:47 GMT -5
Scoring wingers are nice, but they're not what you invest in to win the Cup. I can think of 2 ex-HABS wingers that actually had a major impact on their respective teams cup wins: Mats Naslund Guy Lafleur Jarome Iginla is a recent example of a winger that lead his team to the cup final. A player does not make a team but Kovalchuck can certainly be the main player of a well-built cup team IMO. |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Nov 4, 2008 11:00:21 GMT -5
Scoring wingers are nice, but they're not what you invest in to win the Cup. I can think of 2 ex-HABS that actually had a major impact on their respective teams cup wins: Mats Naslund Guy Lafleur Jarome Iginla is a recent example of a winger that lead his team to the cup final. A player does not make a team but Kovalchuck can certainly be the main player of a well-built cup team IMO. I can't see a problem with bringing in a guy like Kovalchuck providing he's the icing on the cake and not the main ingredient. I remember a poster of ours saying this in another topic a while back, not necessarily about Kovalchuck, but I think the opinion might pertain to here as well. If we have the leadership in the dressing room then a guy Kovalchuck can be motivated in the right way. And it doesn't stop at the room level either. Look at what Gainey said about Kovalev at the beginning of last season. Kovalev could have easily sulked and proved all of the anti-Russian lobbiers right. Instead, he kicked it up a few notches and made believers out of his detractors. I think the same thing can happen to Kovalchuck as well. If he doesn't come around, Gainey won't wait a moment in moving him. Heck, he'd probably hold the door for him. But then there's that damn cap issue too Darn! Cheers. |
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Post by Doc Holliday on Nov 4, 2008 12:42:12 GMT -5
I can think of 2 ex-HABS that actually had a major impact on their respective teams cup wins: Mats Naslund Guy Lafleur Jarome Iginla is a recent example of a winger that lead his team to the cup final. A player does not make a team but Kovalchuck can certainly be the main player of a well-built cup team IMO. I can't see a problem with bringing in a guy like Kovalchuck providing he's the icing on the cake and not the main ingredient. I remember a poster of ours saying this in another topic a while back, not necessarily about Kovalchuck, but I think the opinion might pertain to here as well. If we have the leadership in the dressing room then a guy Kovalchuck can be motivated in the right way. And it doesn't stop at the room level either. Look at what Gainey said about Kovalev at the beginning of last season. Kovalev could have easily sulked and proved all of the anti-Russian lobbiers right. Instead, he kicked it up a few notches and made believers out of his detractors. I think the same thing can happen to Kovalchuck as well. If he doesn't come around, Gainey won't wait a moment in moving him. Heck, he'd probably hold the door for him. But then there's that damn cap issue too Darn! Cheers. Absolutely Dis. It makes a great difference when a player comes into a solid team with a room that already has strong leadership. I don't think Kovalchuck is a problem child but being on a losing team going nowhere must be heavy. You can't really say Kovalchuck has underperformed or hasn't done everything he can for the Thrashers but the pudding just doesn't seem to set there. A guy like that can turn a good team into and instant contender in a minute. |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Nov 4, 2008 13:07:22 GMT -5
I can't see a problem with bringing in a guy like Kovalchuck providing he's the icing on the cake and not the main ingredient. I remember a poster of ours saying this in another topic a while back, not necessarily about Kovalchuck, but I think the opinion might pertain to here as well. If we have the leadership in the dressing room then a guy Kovalchuck can be motivated in the right way. And it doesn't stop at the room level either. Look at what Gainey said about Kovalev at the beginning of last season. Kovalev could have easily sulked and proved all of the anti-Russian lobbiers right. Instead, he kicked it up a few notches and made believers out of his detractors. I think the same thing can happen to Kovalchuck as well. If he doesn't come around, Gainey won't wait a moment in moving him. Heck, he'd probably hold the door for him. But then there's that damn cap issue too Darn! Cheers. Absolutely Dis. It makes a great difference when a player comes into a solid team with a room that already has strong leadership. I don't think Kovalchuck is a problem child but being on a losing team going nowhere must be heavy. You can't really say Kovalchuck has underperformed or hasn't done everything he can for the Thrashers but the pudding just doesn't seem to set there. A guy like that can turn a good team into and instant contender in a minute. Well, let's take that a step further, Doc. Who says Atlanta even has the leadership in place to properly handle a guy like Kovalchuck? There are a lot of leaders out there who can crack the whip and delve out praise. But, there aren't enough who know how to do it properly. Like you say, we've got that in Montreal now. It started under Gainey and I think he might have been the one who brought Carbonneau around as well. You have to admit, that was one complete 180 degree turn Carbo did in one off-season. The room is also a positive place to be as well. There's no one pointing fingers, no controversy and the players seem to be accountable to one another. Now, when things go bad ... well ... that's another topic. Cheers. |
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;D 
