Hockey Beat » alex kovalev

Will Ottawa Keep Kovalev and Heatley?

Jeanne Dupuis — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:16:12 +0000

Now that the Ottawa Senators have acquired Alex Kovalev from the Montreal Canadiens, I wonder if things have changed for Dany Heatley. He’s been asking to be traded and could be stuck on the team which, of course, isn’t an ideal situation since no one wants a disgruntled, pissy player on their team. I’m hoping that this trade will make things seem a little less bleak.

Ottawa GM Bryan Murray seems to think so. At a press conference yesterday, he said: "We can fit both of those guys on our team very nicely, maybe one on left and one on right wing.”

Kovalev also had some things to say: "Sometimes you see teams make changes and go through different players, so it’s understandable (they struggle). This team, I was surprised with the players offensively and defensively they have, that they weren’t successful. Hopefully, I’ll bring that little spark or whatever that this team is missing… Definitely, with the player that he is, it would be nice to have him back. I know Dany a little bit from playing with him for Kazan in the lockout year. He’s a great, talented guy on the ice and off the ice and would definitely help the Senators organization and hopefully will continue to help the organization".

Talk about a Dr. Phil moment. I feel like it’s time for a group hug and some healing, don’t you? Apparently Heatley isn’t feeling as warm and fuzzy – he’s not even returning the calls of Sens captain, Daniel Alfredsson. The drama continues…

image: TSN

Post from: Hockey Beat

Kovalev Definitely Not Returning to Habs

Jeanne Dupuis — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:50:05 +0000

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

Post from: Hockey Beat

Koivu Unsure of Future with Montreal

Jeanne Dupuis — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 01:21:53 +0000

I never thought I would type those words but Montreal Canadiens captain, Saku Koivu, doesn’t know if he will be returning to the team. This comes after 14 seasons with the Habs.

Koivu will become an unrestricted free agency (along with nine of his teammates) on July 1, 2009 but contract negotiations have not been initiated. "If I’m not signed by July 1, I don’t think I’ll be back in Montreal," Koivu said. "Finishing your career with one team would be awesome in a way, but it’s too early to say because I don’t know what the team’s plan is. We lost yesterday, so I need time to sit down with my family and figure out what’s best for us."

"There’s a lot of question marks right now, so I have to get away from the game for a while before making a decision," said Koivu. "It would probably be a pretty interesting and exciting morning to wake up on July 1 and see what the offers are and which teams would be there."

I guess that means Koivu is also considering leaving the team. I don’t blame him after that embarrassing playoff loss and the uncertainty of the team’s future.

Depending on what happens, the roster could look very different at the start of next season. With the team possibly up for sale and a new coach on the horizon, the Habs could reinvent themselves but I’m hoping it won’t go the same way as the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Here’s a list of the players who will become free agents:

Alex Kovalev
Alex Tanguay
Robert Lang
Tom Kostopoulos
Mike Komisarek
Mathieu Schneider
Francis Bouillon
Patrice Brisebois
Mathieu Dandenault

There are some big names on this list so I hope the Habs don’t wait too long to make a decision. Lang, Tanguay and Schneider have all expressed a desire to return to Montreal and I think these players, along with Koivu, are completely worth signing.

image: TSN

Post from: Hockey Beat

Tanguay Helps Habs End Losing Streak

Jeanne Dupuis — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 17:15:00 +0000

The Montreal Canadiens have definitely been struggling but, last night, they finally had reason to celebrate. In a game against the Atlanta Thrashers, Alex Tanguay earned five (two goals, two assists) points for the third time in his career and helped lift the Habs to a 6-3 victory.

image: TSN.ca

Tanguay is one of my favorite players in the league (if you’re a regular reader, you’ll know I was crushed when the Calgary Flames traded him) so I was thrilled when I saw the highlights last night. Tanguay, along with fellow veteran, Alex Kovalev and captain Saku Koivu, won this game for Montreal. Hopefully, this is a sign that the club is ready to fight for a playoff spot.

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