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Post by blny on Jul 6, 2009 16:46:14 GMT -5
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Post by Doc Holliday on Jul 6, 2009 16:54:13 GMT -5
...I hope he gets booed as much as he got cheered at the Bell Center.
F*ck him
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Post by blny on Jul 6, 2009 16:56:37 GMT -5
LOL tell us how you really feel. You can bet he'll be up for 6 games this year at least. Considering Murray's situation with Heatley, does this mean he's close to getting him moved?
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Jul 6, 2009 17:43:13 GMT -5
We've got the Kovalev scoop in three threads now.
Hope he doesn't get this kind of attention in Ottawa. I was just on a Sens forum and they're not happy at all.
"I know Gainey was doing a lousy job, but does Murray have to follow suit?"
Cheers.
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Post by Yossarian on Jul 6, 2009 18:18:23 GMT -5
I'm more disappointed about Beauchemin joining the Leaves. With the makeup of the two teams, it could be 6 miserable matches.
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Post by CentreHice on Jul 6, 2009 22:25:32 GMT -5
What did Gainey offer Kovalev, if anything at all?
Sorry, haven't had time to read anything/research.
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Post by MC Habber on Jul 6, 2009 22:38:21 GMT -5
...I hope he gets booed as much as he got cheered at the Bell Center. F*ck him I'm not so upset with him. I think he thought he could get that much from Gainey, and didn't think Gainey would be so quick to sign someone else. What I don't understand is why Gainey waited so long to make him an offer, if it was Kovalev that he wanted to sign. Maybe there was a trade that fell through. |
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Post by MC Habber on Jul 6, 2009 22:39:29 GMT -5
What did Gainey offer Kovalev, if anything at all? Sorry, haven't had time to read anything/research. I think Gainey offered him $4.5m/year, but I don't remember for how many years. |
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Post by CentreHice on Jul 6, 2009 22:47:10 GMT -5
I truly wonder if Kovalev sensed a NFA approach from Gainey and Martin coming up this season....No Floating Allowed.
He's the ONLY Hab player I've ever seen with that skill set who could bring me out of my chair with his moves/shot AND have me throwing things at the TV with his countless shifts/games off.
Lafleur had him nailed, IMO: capricious.
Half a mill raise on the Habs' offer. Good for him. That's what it's really all about in the long run, isn't it?
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Post by MC Habber on Jul 6, 2009 23:29:43 GMT -5
The Habs are now saying they offered an identical deal. It's probably true, but it could just be to make Kovalev look more like the bad guy. Perhaps Kovalev thought he could get more than $5m and only accepted this deal when he realized it was the best he was going to get. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jul 6, 2009 23:51:27 GMT -5
The Habs are now saying they offered an identical deal. It's probably true, but it could just be to make Kovalev look more like the bad guy. Perhaps Kovalev thought he could get more than $5m and only accepted this deal when he realized it was the best he was going to get. And the Habs were not waiting around on July 1st. They had other lines in the water and were snagging guys that responded back first. Gionta was the guy they were working at the same time, and we all know how that turned out. |
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Post by seventeen on Jul 7, 2009 0:47:27 GMT -5
I believe Kovy has lost a step and with one more year under his belt, would he have lost another? He didn't seem to have the wheels last year to pull away from players like he did the year before. He's still a lot of fun to watch, but productivity and efficiency was indeed on a downward slope. Three years?, ouch, what will he be like in his 3rd year?
I wonder if we offered only a 2 year contract?
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Post by Polarice on Jul 7, 2009 5:24:09 GMT -5
On the radio this morning they were saying BG offered 4.5 and Kovalev was waiting to 2 other offers, BG told him to get back to him when he did. Ottawa offered 5 million, and BG said that the Habs could not match that offer and Kovalev countered with a 4.5 with 3 years and BG said no, good luck in Ottawa.
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Post by jkr on Jul 7, 2009 7:23:56 GMT -5
On the radio this morning they were saying BG offered 4.5 and Kovalev was waiting to 2 other offers, BG told him to get back to him when he did. Ottawa offered 5 million, and BG said that the Habs could not match that offer and Kovalev countered with a 4.5 with 3 years and BG said no, good luck in Ottawa. A team has to draw the line on term & money somewhere. With Kovalev it was probably 2 years @ 4.5. Anymore than that is too much IMO. |
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Post by jkr on Jul 7, 2009 8:46:30 GMT -5
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Post by CentreHice on Jul 7, 2009 9:15:05 GMT -5
Was Marinaro always a huge Kovalev fan? I remember him ripping into Kovalev numerous times during his time as a Hab. This morning, he's going on and on about how great AK27 was. Marinaro changes his opinion with the wind.
Marinaro's timeline.
July 1st. 12:00 hour....Gainey calls Greenspun.....2 years. $9 mill.
Greenspun says we'll get back to you.
Gainey calls back....2 years...$10 million.
Greenspun....we'll get back to you. Did not call back.
And so Gainey offers Gionta, 6 years younger....the same deal. And he takes it.
Kovalev likely looking for a 3-year deal...no takers....so he takes the same deal from Ottawa that Gainey offered him on July 1st.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Personally, I'm glad Gainey didn't wait around and lose out on Gionta (who will play hard, game-in, game-out) while waiting around for Kovalev to finish shopping.
It'll be interesting to see how Kovalev fits in ego-wise with Alfie and Spezza.
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Post by Skilly on Jul 7, 2009 10:42:35 GMT -5
Whoa!?? Higgins certainly gave the Rags a hometown discount if I ever saw one ... one year, $2.25 million .... |
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Post by CrocRob on Jul 7, 2009 11:12:04 GMT -5
Whoa!?? Higgins certainly gave the Rags a hometown discount if I ever saw one ... one year, $2.25 million .... Why is that a hometown discount? Seems like market value for an oft-injured 20 goal scoring RFA -- one that shows no real signs of improvement and is going to a team with a dearth of offensive talent -- coming off a 40 point season. It also gets him to UFA status so he can go join the Islanders or Leafs. |
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Post by jkr on Jul 7, 2009 11:20:55 GMT -5
Whoa!?? Higgins certainly gave the Rags a hometown discount if I ever saw one ... one year, $2.25 million .... He probably gave up term to get UFA status in one year. BG got criticized for giving guys short term deals & now an ex Hab does the same thing. I wonder if NY wanted longer term or if Higgins really wants to go UFA next year? |
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Post by Doc Holliday on Jul 7, 2009 12:53:16 GMT -5
Was Marinaro always a huge Kovalev fan? I remember him ripping into Kovalev numerous times during his time as a Hab. Same thing with François "I got the tape" Gagnon, when Kovalev was a HABS he never missed an opportunity to write on how his inconsistency was detrimental to the team and how he was a cancer because of his inflated ego, and bla-bla-bla... Now that he signed with the Sens for half a milion more than his previous contract with us, all of sudden Gagnon says it's a great pickup and the Sens are now back at being a force with such a World Class talent on their hands... ...bunch of hypocrits... |
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Post by jkr on Jul 7, 2009 13:11:19 GMT -5
Was Marinaro always a huge Kovalev fan? I remember him ripping into Kovalev numerous times during his time as a Hab. Same thing with François "I got the tape" Gagnon, when Kovalev was a HABS he never missed an opportunity to write on how his inconsistency was detrimental to the team and how he was a cancer because of his inflated ego, and bla-bla-bla... Now that he signed with the Sens for half a milion more than his previous contract with us, all of sudden Gagnon says it's a great pickup and the Sens are now back at being a force with such a World Class talent on their hands... ...bunch of hypocrits... Send him a message. Seriously Doc, they won't respond but they have to be called on it. Maybe these reporters will sit up & take notice if they realize that there are knowedgable people out there that will jump on their mistakes. |
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Post by LoupDogg on Jul 7, 2009 13:42:19 GMT -5
Was Marinaro always a huge Kovalev fan? I remember him ripping into Kovalev numerous times during his time as a Hab. Same thing with François "I got the tape" Gagnon, when Kovalev was a HABS he never missed an opportunity to write on how his inconsistency was detrimental to the team and how he was a cancer because of his inflated ego, and bla-bla-bla... Now that he signed with the Sens for half a milion more than his previous contract with us, all of sudden Gagnon says it's a great pickup and the Sens are now back at being a force with such a World Class talent on their hands... ...bunch of hypocrits... As good a rant as this might be, it's simply bullocks. François Gagnon is far from over the moon about the signing of Kovy by the Sens, he even says he might have to become a Canadian's fan now (as a joke). But all he said about Kovalev in a Habs jersey, he still thinks now. But hey, don't let the fact get in the way... |
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Post by CentreHice on Jul 7, 2009 14:16:57 GMT -5
Same thing with François "I got the tape" Gagnon, when Kovalev was a HABS he never missed an opportunity to write on how his inconsistency was detrimental to the team and how he was a cancer because of his inflated ego, and bla-bla-bla... Now that he signed with the Sens for half a milion more than his previous contract with us, all of sudden Gagnon says it's a great pickup and the Sens are now back at being a force with such a World Class talent on their hands... ...bunch of hypocrits... As good a rant as this might be, it's simply bullocks. François Gagnon is far from over the moon about the signing of Kovy by the Sens, he even says he might have to become a Canadian's fan now (as a joke). But all he said about Kovalev in a Habs jersey, he still thinks now. But hey, don't let the fact get in the way... Attack the post...not the poster. |
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Post by LoupDogg on Jul 7, 2009 15:43:44 GMT -5
As good a rant as this might be, it's simply bullocks. François Gagnon is far from over the moon about the signing of Kovy by the Sens, he even says he might have to become a Canadian's fan now (as a joke). But all he said about Kovalev in a Habs jersey, he still thinks now. But hey, don't let the fact get in the way... Attack the post...not the poster. My bad. No offense intended to Doc, but his two reactions after Kovalev signed with Ottawa irritated me. (The f*.. him especially). All the reports say that Kovalev was planning to return here next season, he said so himself. and didn't go to another team to piss anyone off or for the money. I sincerly hope he will not be booed when he comes back to Montreal, but that he gets the ovation he deserve for all the work he did on and off the ice for this city (Children's hospital contributions come to mind). Only distorted facts tell a story where Kovalev is a mercenary in this story. I've always enjoyed Habsrus because of the reliability of the posters, and the info they post. I am sure this will continue to be the case. Peace. |
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Post by seventeen on Jul 7, 2009 23:38:14 GMT -5
It's always difficult to get the whole story. Then with the Montreal media, you can't trust some of the stories. I always thought Kovalev was a better person than he was portrayed. His comments were always honest, as direct as they could be and not always politically correct.
I think it's simply a case of him wanting 3 more years and the Habs offering only 2. Can't blame him, can't blame Gainey. I agree with Gainey. A 3rd year Kovalev is not a big contributor.
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Post by Doc Holliday on Jul 8, 2009 8:38:22 GMT -5
Same thing with François "I got the tape" Gagnon, when Kovalev was a HABS he never missed an opportunity to write on how his inconsistency was detrimental to the team and how he was a cancer because of his inflated ego, and bla-bla-bla... Now that he signed with the Sens for half a milion more than his previous contract with us, all of sudden Gagnon says it's a great pickup and the Sens are now back at being a force with such a World Class talent on their hands... ...bunch of hypocrits... As good a rant as this might be, it's simply bullocks. François Gagnon is far from over the moon about the signing of Kovy by the Sens, he even says he might have to become a Canadian's fan now (as a joke). But all he said about Kovalev in a Habs jersey, he still thinks now. But hey, don't let the fact get in the way... ...see it as you will but I've heard/read Gagnon on Kovalev when he was a HABS and I've heard him comment this acquisition and you don't get the same shpeal at all. Oh sure he mentions Kovalev comes with "some problems"... Holly smoke where are the comments on him being "a selfish player", "playing one game outa 5", "having to wear the C to be any good", "an enigma nobody can figure out"... Gagnon regularely went for Kovalev's throat and now he actually feels the acquisition makes the Sens better... Anyway... enough about Gagnon... Kovalev missed the opportunity to play for the team he wanted, in the role he wanted. Why? Because he and his agent tried to stretch the band... Kovy received one offer for his same salary, which he declined, got a new offer at 5mil and again didn't want to sign the dotted line... 10mil for 2 years at 36 is great. If Gainey waits (as Kovalev was wishing) than Gainey's options would melt and disapear and so Kovalev would end up in a position of strenght. Kovalev played poker to get a better contract and lost, call it what you will but in my book he let this opportunity pass because of greed. I've been a supporter and a fan of Kovy, I've defended him through thick and thin on this board when everyone wanted his head but his Canadien association ends up with Kovalev making a selfish decision and therefor proving his detractors right. BTW, that doesn't take anything away from all he did as a human being, from his amazing generosity outside the rink, from the fact that he actually integrated the Montreal/Quebec society like very few non-local players have. Kovalev is now an oponent and by his own choice too. |
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Post by Gogie on Jul 8, 2009 10:41:43 GMT -5
As good a rant as this might be, it's simply bullocks. François Gagnon is far from over the moon about the signing of Kovy by the Sens, he even says he might have to become a Canadian's fan now (as a joke). But all he said about Kovalev in a Habs jersey, he still thinks now. But hey, don't let the fact get in the way... ...see it as you will but I've heard/read Gagnon on Kovalev when he was a HABS and I've heard him comment this acquisition and you don't get the same shpeal at all. Oh sure he mentions Kovalev comes with "some problems"... Holly smoke where are the comments on him being "a selfish player", "playing one game outa 5", "having to wear the C to be any good", "an enigma nobody can figure out"... Gagnon regularely went for Kovalev's throat and now he actually feels the acquisition makes the Sens better... Anyway... enough about Gagnon... Kovalev missed the opportunity to play for the team he wanted, in the role he wanted. Why? Because he and his agent tried to stretch the band... Kovy received one offer for his same salary, which he declined, got a new offer at 5mil and again didn't want to sign the dotted line... 10mil for 2 years at 36 is great. If Gainey waits (as Kovalev was wishing) than Gainey's options would melt and disapear and so Kovalev would end up in a position of strenght. Kovalev played poker to get a better contract and lost, call it what you will but in my book he let this opportunity pass because of greed. I've been a supporter and a fan of Kovy, I've defended him through thick and thin on this board when everyone wanted his head but his Canadien association ends up with Kovalev making a selfish decision and therefor proving his detractors right. BTW, that doesn't take anything away from all he did as a human being, from his amazing generosity outside the rink, from the fact that he actually integrated the Montreal/Quebec society like very few non-local players have. Kovalev is now an oponent and by his own choice too. I whole-heartedly endorse the Doc's position. As this morning's G&M article about Kovalev states: "After Senators general manager Bryan Murray announced he'd signed Kovalev, it was revealed Monday that Canadiens GM Bob Gainey had offered the unrestricted free agent an identical deal to remain in Montreal.
Gainey said when Kovalev hesitated in getting back to him last Wednesday, the opening day of free agency, he went ahead with other deals, signing forwards Brian Gionta from New Jersey and Mike Cammalleri from Calgary until there was no money left for Kovalev."
Gainey obviously had a plan but his plan had a "short fuse". He gave Kovy the opportunity to be an important part of that plan but Kovy chose to try to gain a little leverage by hesitating. You snooze, you lose in this case. It's obvious that there were a number of pieces to Gainey's puzzle and the keystone of the puzzle was Scott Gomez (whose acquisition probably had a lot to do with the subsequent free agent signings). Once Gomez was on board the Habs' became more attractive to a number of free agents. Rather than letting Cammallieri get away he pulled the trigger ASAP and gave up on Kovy. Any way you look at it, it was Kovalev's decision to not sign and his not being with the Habs next year is completely on him - no fault of Bob's. By the way, Goo, the word is "bollocks" (nonsense), not bullocks (castrated or young bulls) and the spelling is Canadi ens, not Canadi ans. |
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Post by The New Guy on Jul 8, 2009 11:00:14 GMT -5
I feel kinda bad about Kovalev. I liked the player and I do not blame him for trying to secure his future (yes, he already has a metric ton of money and doesn't really need any more, but considering this is the end of his career can you blame him for wanting to try and get one more year out of Bob). However I also appreciate the situation Bob was in. He had to act in the best interests of the team and not the player and he did that. Gionta is not a head and shoulders upgrade on Kovy, but he is at least a lateral move. Better to get one than none (a bird in the hand...)
I hope Kovy has a great season in Ottawa and I hope the Montreal fans have better sense than to jeer a man who gave his heart (flawed as it was) to the city. I also hope that when he comes back to town he plays like he did in 06-07.
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Post by jkr on Jul 8, 2009 11:08:45 GMT -5
As good a rant as this might be, it's simply bullocks. François Gagnon is far from over the moon about the signing of Kovy by the Sens, he even says he might have to become a Canadian's fan now (as a joke). But all he said about Kovalev in a Habs jersey, he still thinks now. But hey, don't let the fact get in the way... ...see it as you will but I've heard/read Gagnon on Kovalev when he was a HABS and I've heard him comment this acquisition and you don't get the same shpeal at all. Oh sure he mentions Kovalev comes with "some problems"... Holly smoke where are the comments on him being "a selfish player", "playing one game outa 5", "having to wear the C to be any good", "an enigma nobody can figure out"... Gagnon regularely went for Kovalev's throat and now he actually feels the acquisition makes the Sens better... Anyway... enough about Gagnon... Kovalev missed the opportunity to play for the team he wanted, in the role he wanted. Why? Because he and his agent tried to stretch the band... Kovy received one offer for his same salary, which he declined, got a new offer at 5mil and again didn't want to sign the dotted line... 10mil for 2 years at 36 is great. If Gainey waits (as Kovalev was wishing) than Gainey's options would melt and disapear and so Kovalev would end up in a position of strenght. Kovalev played poker to get a better contract and lost, call it what you will but in my book he let this opportunity pass because of greed. I've been a supporter and a fan of Kovy, I've defended him through thick and thin on this board when everyone wanted his head but his Canadien association ends up with Kovalev making a selfish decision and therefor proving his detractors right. BTW, that doesn't take anything away from all he did as a human being, from his amazing generosity outside the rink, from the fact that he actually integrated the Montreal/Quebec society like very few non-local players have. Kovalev is now an oponent and by his own choice too. As one of his supporters on this board I am disappointed in the way things played out. I don't like his misdirection - saying his departure was not his decision. Gainey had already raised his offer by $1 million over the two years yet that still wasn't enough. He wanted another year and the $5 million that went with it. The old front office may have played along with that game and lost out on Gionta & maybe even Kovalev too. I think that's what he was counting on. |
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Post by CentreHice on Jul 8, 2009 11:40:13 GMT -5
About time for his knee maintenance again, isn't it?
2001 Pittsburgh, 2005 Montreal, 2009 Ottawa?
After his procedure in 01, the doctor told him he'd need it again in two years....but he played 4 (3 in the NHL, 1 with AK Bars during the lockout) before going through it again.
Now he's played another 4 seasons....
Maybe he gets it drained every off-season now...I don't know. I haven't been able to find anything on that.
But that could be a huge reason why he takes stretches of games off. Reducing the wear and tear on the knee....pacing himself, especially as he's getting older.....extending the career. Just a thought.
Personally, I want guys who go all out on a consistent basis.
Can't say I'm sorry he's gone.
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