Kovalev Definitely Not Returning to Habs
July 6, 2009 by Jeanne Dupuis
Filed under Montreal Canadiens, NHL, News, Players
Montreal Canadiens general manager, Bob Gainey, has confirmed that Alex Kovalev will not be returning to the Habs lineup. Many fans are disappointed by the announcement and 100 people even held a rally outside the Bell Centre yesterday.
Gainey told Montreal radio station CJAD that the club did make an offer but the Russian star took too long to consider the deal. "We hadn’t agreed on the amount, but another player was willing to come and join our team," Gainey said. "So the dollars that we had allotted there for a particular position were grabbed up by another player."
The team’s roster is going to look so different in the coming season. In addition to losing the winger, captain Saku Koivu believes that he might not be offered a contract, Montreal was busy at the free agency deadline and the team has new owners (and a new coach).
With all their wheeling and dealing, the Habs still have $9 million remaining under the salary cap but they also have four restricted free agents left to sign.
Where do you think Kovalev will go?
***UPDATE*** Kovalev has signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the Ottawa Senators.
image: TSN
Doesn’t matter. He sucks and so do the Habs.