Sunday, July 18, 2010

Kovalchuk Wanted to Be a Ranger

In a story on why Ilya Kovalchuk will not be coming to the tr-state area, Arthur Staple of Newsday says that the Russian superstar wanted to play for the Rangers...

"Sources have told Newsday at various times over the last three weeks that Kovalchuk did want to be in New York, but there's no way it could have happened. Even if Jay Grossman, Kovalchuk's sharp, understated agent, had gone to Glen Sather at 12:01 a.m. on July 1 and said, "Let's make it happen," it probably would not have.

The Rangers have too much money tied up in too few players and need to keep their younger guys around to afford Kovalchuk, who is also considered too similar to Marian Gaborik in style. The Rangers need a playmaking center."


...of course he did who wouldn't want to play on the biggest stage in the world?

...am I a huge Kovalchuk fan? No. But there is no doubt, whether he is the same type of player as Gaborik (what's wrong with that?) or not, his offensive talents would have been a welcome addition to the team.

...his salary cap hit and one dimensional play would not have. I also just can't get out of my head his incident with Avery back in the 2007 playoffs, when he seemed so easy to rattle...



...btw, what happened to THAT Sean Avery?

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18 comments:

Jimothy84 said...

THAT Sean Avery is sorely missed! A decent little penalty drawing pest. Damn his labotomy!

Dan W said...

Hey remember when we played Jersey the first game they got Kovy and Avery was sayin stuff to him before the faceoff? Before the puck dropped Avery set him off and Kovy started throwin punches. If I ever meet Avery I wanna ask what he said.

KenDizzle said...

If Kovy really wanted to be a Ranger he'd had taken a pay cut and come here no?

LTP said...

Dan if you live in nY go down to his bar Warren 77 he's there every friday & saturday night so too are a lot of other rangers.

LTP said...

I predict Kovalchuk will be a Ranger, the longer he remains unsigned the more & more I say he's a Ranger.

Anonymous said...

He CAN be a Ranger: demote Redden, admit your mistake and sign Kovie..this team is one sniper away from landing in the conference finals next year...GET IT DONE SLATS

Kevin DeLury said...

Ken, that's the problem with Kovalchuk (and most athletes these days) while he may want to come to NY the money is obviously more important.

icycup said...

ya, he's all about the cash. no heart. i think he wants to out do ovies contract because hes no longer THE russian player in the league.

Anonymous said...

I'd rather have Redden. Who wants a player that can actually produce?

Jason3521 said...

I think all along this guy wants to come here who knows maybe we can get this thing done....lets see what happens

LI Joe said...

this team is a lot more than 1 sniper from being in the conf final

theking said...

Kovy and his agent are not dumb. He wants to play on the Rangers because not only does the big stage bring you more spotlight but more money. Thats why a lot of players want to play in NYC. They get more endorsements, commercials, publicity, all that equals more money for them.

@LTP

I agree with you its now getting strange that Kovy has not signed with the Devils or the Kings yet. I really think he is waiting for the Rangers to get it done. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. We lock up Kovy then in a couple of years Rozi and Drury will be gone. Hopefully some of our young forwards develop around Kovy and Gaborik. Then we will be kicking ass.

Unknown said...
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Unknown said...

As a fan who goes to about 10 to a dozen games at the Garden a year I must say I'd love to watch Kovalchuk in the flesh.

He has serious talent and isn't afraid to play with aggression and give anyone who crosses him a face-wash or a slash. And he can SCORE GOALS which is the biggest problem with this team.

As a fan that wants to be entertained I wouldn't mind seeing Kovy here.

Snuser said...

I personally don't get it. Is this about money? Wouldn't sending redden down get us 80% there? Dolan can't be concerned about the cost of buyouts or demotions. Remember pre- lockout our payroll was $80M. Dolan is saving $20M+ a year.

A player of this caliber comes up so infrequently and we have no one in the system even close. He should be a Ranger.

Rick said...

There is no cap room to sign Kovy and Staal. By the time the kids are ready and if they produce like they are supposed to. Maybe a 45 goal scorer@9M is not needed, maybe a 35 goal scorer at 6M would be sufficient with a contract that is alot more manageable.

Unknown said...

Numbers don't lie and it can be done: demote REDDEN as he is holding this team back, both with his play and more importantly, financially. Sign Staal and Kovie. Kovie wil take less to come to the Rangers..It is really up to SLATS to see if he has the guts to demote REDDEN. PERIOD..

Unknown said...

Ok, so: "...maybe a 35 goal scorer at 6M would be sufficient with a contract that is alot more manageable..."

Who is available? Does anyone think the Rangers have to wait until mid-season-ish to get this 35 goal scorer?