Sunday, December 20, 2009

Rangers to Pursue Kovalchuk at Deadline

Bruce Garrioch at the Ottawa Sun reports that if contract negotiations breakdown between Ilya Kovalchuk and the Atlanta Thrashers the Rangers will be one of many teams interested come the trade deadline...

"If Waddell and Kovalchuk can’t come to terms soon, the Thrashers GM will have to consider shopping Kovalchuk at the deadline. Sources say the Kings, Bruins, Capitals, Rangers, Avs and Devils will be among the teams most aggressively pursuing a top-shelf offensive player."

Kovalchuk, who is in the final year of his contract, is said to be looking for a 10-year contract in the range of $11 million.

...i'm assuming the Rangers would be able to fit Kovalchuk under the cap for the rest of the season. But unless the Blueshirts can get rid of some of their huge contracts Kovalchuk would be nothing more than a rental. And I'd hate to see who the Rangers would have to give up to obtain a player they can only retain for two months.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I truly think this would be a turning point for the franchise. I would give up anyone they wanted in return to be honest and a large contract. To compete in this league you need a top goalie, good D core and a couple goal scorers mixed in with role players. We have that goalie in his prime. A yound D core that will blossom in a year or two and obviouly almost 4lines or role players. I know people don't want to give up a Callahan or Dubinsky nor do I but Kovalchuk alongside a healthy Gaborik?? Move aside Crosby, Malkin Ovechkin and Backstrom. I really like the young talent on this team and there is a ton. Kovalchuk is young, big and can score goals anyway necessary. I can't see Atlanta letting him walk, and it'd be a miracle but this would be so exciting wouldn't it?

Unknown said...

I'd love to see Kovalchuk here. He's so damn good.

Kevin DeLury said...

real, we'd all love Kovalchuk on the Rangers, but unless Sather can get Atlanta to take back Redden, Rozsival or Dury the Rangers don't have the cap room to sign him to an $11 million per year deal.

Unknown said...

They'd have the cap space to rent him and they could sign him next season if they sent one or all of those guys down to Hartford. They'd be stupid not to try...

Anonymous said...

Yea I know. Wishful thinking. But it can't hurt to dream...... Either way we have some really good young players and I'm excited for the future.