BROOKS SAYS NYI WILL BID FOR KOVALCHUK
Newsday shoots down; latest on goalie rotation
FanHouse Podcast: Botta and Ciskie (includes some NYI talk)
5:45 pm – Today the Islanders did not fulfill another in a long line of requests from Point Blank to speak with Garth Snow, although he was sitting in Scott Gordon’s office when this reporter, Billy Jaffe and Arthur Staple spoke with the coach today.
Snow told Larry Brooks for his story (see below) that he had no comment, but later this afternoon told Staple of Newsday that he is not going to deviate from his plan. Arthur also quotes a source saying the chances of a Kovalchuk deal are “slim to none.” This led Arthur to write that the “word on the Internets” is “not necessarily the truth.” C’mon – take a stand, buddy.
You mean, the Thrashers won’t take Calvin de Haan, Kirill Petrov and a conditional first round pick for Ilya Kovalchuk (26 goals in 39 games)? No way! You’re kidding!
You mean, the Islanders wouldn’t consider trading two players not named Okposo and Tavares plus a conditional first round pick and sign Kovalchuk for eight years?
Aw, that’s too bad. Add a top defenseman in the UFA market and the rebuild would be over.
Maybe Snow decided he needed to speak so his happy-go-lucky team doesn’t get rattled by the tradewinds. If that’s the case, a very wise move by the GM.
I still have plenty of issues I want to run by Mr. Snow. Maybe someday.
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2:30 pm - The New York Post‘s Larry Brooks, who enjoys a solid working relationship with Garth Snow – remember the on-the-record “We’ll spend money at the deadline” story? – just dropped an Islanders bombshell. According to Brooks, the Islanders intend to make a trade proposal to Atlanta for Ilya Kovalchuk.
Larry’s story includes the name of some C-level (Jyri Niemi) and B-level (Jesse Joensuu) prospects, and it’s hard to envision Calvin de Haan being the primary piece in a deal for a superstar. It’s funny thinking about Atlanta GM Don Waddell trying to convince his bosses they should say goodbye to Kovalchuk and bring in mysterious Russian forward Kirill Petrov, who has two years left on a KHL contract.
Nevertheless, Larry’s work should be taken seriously. Historically, Brooks does not step out for a major article on one of the local teams he does not cover daily unless he is confident he has strong information.
The writer says Snow declined to comment, but…you know…
Even if Waddell shops Kovalchuk as a rental, not allowing teams to discuss a long-term deal with his agent, it’s a fire-able offense if the Atlanta GM does not bring back Kyle Okposo in a trade.
Of course, the Islanders will not trade Okposo and that’s when the trade talks likely cease. The Islanders have Okposo and John Tavares, who are not going anywhere, before a moderate drop-off to Josh Bailey. There is no one in Bridgeport of significant value. The Islanders’ first round pick in 2010 is not guaranteed to be in the top five, so that’s little help to Waddell.
Snow made a nice play for Ryan Smyth by giving Edmonton two bleh prospects (Robert Nilsson and Ryan O’Marra) along with the No. 20 pick. If he can pull off Kovalchuk for some combination of two of his teenage prospects and a draft pick, never mind Michael Farber’s post-Smyth recognition of Snow as GM of the Year. You’d have to put Snow right into the Hall of Fame.
Final thought: Gordon’s gritty-gutties are on a roll and have been a heartwarming story lately. It will be worth monitoring how the team reacts in the wake of this leaked major news item.
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The NHL standings are placed in the Islanders’ locker room for the same reason the team’s TV ratings have doubled: Christmas is over, and the Islanders are in the playoff hunt.
This, of course, wasn’t the case this year, so Scott Gordon and his coaching staff use the smartboard in the locker room to remind the team what they’re playing for.
“You have to be thinking about it,” Gordon said of the standings after today’s practice at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Gordon gives the occassional pop quiz to make sure his players understand crunch time has arrived. He’ll test his charges from time to time on how far they’re out of a playoff seed, or how many points they are ahead of behind an opponent in the Eastern standings. Speaking about recent games against Ottawa and Atlanta, Gordon said, “You can treat these games as regular games, but they are not.”
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I asked Scott Gordon if Dwayne Roloson’s sustained excellence – and the team’s superb play in front of him on Tuesday - affected his goalie rotation. The coach said no, because the abundance of upcoming games means, “We’re going to need two goalies.”
I followed up by asking if Rick DiPietro would play in one of the upcoming back-to-backs (Monday vs. NJ, Tuesday in Pittsburgh). Said Gordon, “Definitely one of the back-to-backs.”
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Same line combinations and D pairings at practice today from the win over Detroit. Brendan Witt did not practice. Nate Thompson and Jeff Tambellini were the extra forwards.
Comments. Andy Sutton discussion continues below.
221 Responses to BROOKS SAYS NYI WILL BID FOR KOVALCHUK
Newsday shoots down; latest on goalie rotation
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Rene says:
Yea as long as the chemestry of the core of the islanders isn’t messed with i’m all for it… I think we could afford to give away picks as most of them have matured some what before our eyes!
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Alex says:
my advice to the isles on this one.. PROCEED WITH CAUTION! we don’t want another Ryan Smith ordeal.. plus i feel everyone is really happy with the way our rebuild is going and the chemestry in the locker room.. please don’t do this trade if we need to give up a lot of prospects!
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thepolishprince says:
Even with the cap space the Isles have I can’t think they would committ the $$$ and length that Kovie is asking for. Therefore it seems like it would be another rental situation. This team is missing too many pieces to be a serious contender this year so why trade for the hopes of another first round exit? If Snow can dump drek on Atlanta for a 3 month rental then fine – I just don’t see it happening.
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Hockey1919 says:
Play DP agains the Devils and Roloson against the Pens. DP needs a rested team in front of him and the quality of opponents isn’t that different.
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jim says:
it’s nice that we are showing interest. can’t see it happening though. JT, KO and JB can’t be traded. no way it would happen without parting with de Haan or Hamonic, and even though getting a proven star like Kovalchuk should outweigh the potential junior players, i really don’t want to part with either of them as they are our top 2 defensive prospects (or overall for that matter).
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Nyles says:
Isles have me amping!
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mikef says:
How will GoGo feel to take on a guy who doesnt play Defense?
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bossy22 says:
A few things that MUST happen:
1) it can’t be a rental
2) Okposo or JT cannot be part of this deal
3) It can’t side track the rebuild. We cannot give all the pieces we worked hard to get away -
Matt (Gravy) Martin says:
Of course leave it to good ole Chris Botta to throw cold water on another journalist story…But i bet if Chris had this info first it would have been a whole different spin on things
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Patrick says:
As long as he is signed first, do it, no one but KT or KO should be untouchable.
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Spartiarti-RVC says:
if you can get him by given up draft pick and no core players. sure. But i dont see that happening.
Any deal involving KO, JT, JB, Nielsen would be mistake. Bergie is very tradeable but i believe still has upside as player.
Trading any of our 3 big D prosepects like Hamonic, De Haan or Donovan is a total horror show.
I would pass, Kovalchuk wants a big long term contract and could be lose next year.
I would PASS.
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jimfromstjames says:
Um…This sounds great & all, but why gut a team in the middle of a re-build for a guy who might not stay
just to get the team into the playoffs?I’m a Garth fan, and I thought the Smyth trade was the right thing to do at the time.
I’d be less worried about Petrov making it to NA than I would Kovy heading to Russia.
Can you imagine what the KHL will offer a star in his prime??
All things aside, i think his next contract will affect the NHL’s relationship with the KHL in a huge way. -
EAF says:
not going to happened. never
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dynasty23x4 says:
just gonna shut my eyes and brace myself until the trade deadline. ive grown attached to our youth and dont want to think about who wont be here after the oylmpics. but kovie would be nice
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Dan says:
Would Garth do the deal without having an opportunity to try and sign him to a long term contract? Smyth really did not come back to haunt us as far as the players and the pick goes. Go for it Garth and is it worse to have a guy come in and see the Coliseum all the time or once in a while as a visitor?
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Joe says:
If it’s long term, make the deal. I would even think about dealing KO or JB if Kovalchuk were signed long term. He’s in the Ovechkin-Crosby group of players; there are not many of them around. If he’s to be signed long term, don’t let KO or JB stop a deal that could bring in a superstar.
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Steve says:
I don’t know if the Isles should trade for Kovalchuk if he is going to become an UFA after the season ends. i think the chemistry that the Isles have with their group is more important than getting a superstar and possibly disrupt their chemistry.
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How funny & delusional are Islander fans…
Yeah lets not get a proven 40 + Goal scorer who would open up the ice for our other 3 young stars , but lets hold on to Scott LaChance (oops i mean De Haan) & another D-man who has played good in juniors (Harmonic) but lets calm down i mean i don’t see the second coming of Scott Stevens or Dennis Potvin..Look if you have the chance to get a “LEGITIMATE” Superstar & add him to the mix of 3 other up & coming future stars (Bailey/Okposo/Tavares) then by all means you trade Junior prospects who have not PROVEN A THING!!!!
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Jerry says:
if you could guarantee him long term, how could u not consider trading KO or JT or JB? kovalchuk is a elite consistent 40-50 goal scorer every year.
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i TOTALLY agree with you Matt. kovalchuk is a franchise player.
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mht says:
Proceed with caution.Remember Nashville gave up Scottie Upshaw,Ryan Parent and Scott Hartnell for the priviledge of losing in the first round with Peter Forsberg.If Don Waddell is still drinking the same kool aid he did when he traded Braydon Coburn for Alexei Zhitnik go for it.Do not mortgage the future for a short term rental.Let Don Waddell sweat it out!
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JP39 says:
A deal like this has to be an absolute NO-BRAINER for the Isles. If Garth has a real chance to get Kovalchuck, give up ANY prospects possible(Not Bailey/Okposo/JT). Prospects are not sure things — just take a look at the Ryan Smyth deal. A lot of people say that the Isles lost out on that deal because Smyth did not re-sign here. But who did we give up? O’Marra, Nilsson, and a 1st rounder — two players and a pick that will likely never amount to anything at all. So, it was worth the chance…IN GARTH WE TRUST!
LET’S GO ISLANDERS!!!!!
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isles316 says:
As good as Kovalchuck is, Atlanta has never won a playoff game. I’m not sure if he is the right fit. We will have to give up a lot. At least the Isles are trying.
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MattyB says:
Nice story, fun to dream about. But being an Islanders fan, we know that there is almost a 0% chance that this ever happens.
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Will77 says:
Kovalchuk wants the $$$, apparently theres been talks with a couple teams that have worked for players, but the team doesn’t have the $10-11million he wants. The Isles would be able, and should, give him the money he seeks. If you’re willing to give DP a 15year deal, you damn well better give Kovalchuk a 10year $100million. Brett Hull could still snipe in his late 30′s, and Kovalchuk is only 26 and has that kind of shot/release. 1st rounder + Tambs + Donovan + goalie prospect + a bridgeport forward. If you can get Atlanta to accept that and don’t do it, you’re nuts.
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Uncle Deuce says:
Absolutely the Isles should pursue Kovy. They have every reason in the world.
First off, he’ll love NY since there is a huge Russian community in Brighton Beach, and that will be an extra plus for him re-signing.
Second, he adds star power, which brings the team more attention and makes them more valuable.
Third, Josh Bailey is a nice player, but nothing in the class of Kovalchuk and I would start the package with him.
Fourth, trade Biron now (Edmonton needs help) and get as high draft pick as needed
since it is likely picks will be used in a trade, and the Isles will need to have something left over to draft with.Bailey is coming into his own and that is an attractive commodity. Waddell has not made the greatest trades before, so hopefully Snow does a great sell job on his guys. Why fret over Petrov? He is a mystery (as was Jiri Dopita) that may prove to be a star, but at least you have Kovalchuk powering a team that will suddenly become deep in guys that can score.
My package would be Bailey, de Haan, Petrov and a No. 1. But Kovy better sign. With the cap space and the ability to invest a generous contract to a player that is PROVEN (unlike Yashin and DiPietro) and will help fill seats with KO and Johnny T, this is a no-brainer.
Do it, Garth Snow.
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David Volek says:
There is no way that Don Waddell agrees to any trade of Ilya Kovalchuk without the names Okposo, and or Tavares. The islanders do not need Kovalchuk. Dont get me wrong, the guys is amazing offensively, but thats not where the isles are thin. Its the D that the isles need help with. Even with Kovalchuk in the lineup right now the islanders dont win the cup. They will be a contender in a few years, but the priority right now should be to build up the back line. Im sorry but one good game for Gervais doesnt cut it…….cut ties with him. Witt cannot skate anymore, Meyer isnt a top 6 dmen. Martinek is always hurt….its time to address the back line….
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Chris A says:
The question here is…can kovalchuk take the isles to the promised land and the answer is no he is not worth the immediate success especially with the potential contract issues that lay ahead
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coral springs isle fan says:
Why give away top prospects for a playoff push when you can wait until the offseason and get the same guy for just cash! He most likely (if moved) will be a rental player. I just think our “D” prospects are to valuable to move at this point in time. It sure makes for a good story but I’m chalking it up to just that.I think the Kings nab him if he is moved.
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islesfanintheUK says:
As much as I would love to have Kovalchuk on the team I really see no reason to give up any major players. We have to remember he will be a UFA in the summer and we are one of a few teams that has the cap space to pay him what he wants. If this roll continues ride it out the rest of the year, see how it goes and then on July 1st make him a huge offer. If he really wants to be here he will sign then.
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Travelchic59 says:
IMO this potential deal has Milbury/Yashin written all over it. UGH!!!!
Stick with the youth and the rebuild.
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TM says:
Not happening. No way. No how. This is Wang’s team that spends NOTHING and this is Brooks reporting to play with NYI fans minds. The only way this happens is if Wang has a deal in place with the Russian billionaire to sell them to Brooklyn. And as a long term deal for Kovy not a rental.
Again, this is Brooks talking which isn’t worth much.
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hollywood says:
No brainer! Do what it takes with out giving up the obvious players. De haan could and should be involved. They must have Kovy signed to a long term deal!
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Knowing how Snow works, this has to have been leaked by the Atlanta side. Of course, you take a franchise player if it is offered (re:Malkin vs JT debate last year), but not sell the farm for a single shot at making the playoffs. Smyth deal the Islanders were in a different playoff position.
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Gabe says:
Great deal if:
1. He signs an extension for fewer than 8 years (we don’t want another DP contract and we don’t want him after 34 years old)
2. We keep KO and JT.
If these conditions are met, go to town Garth!!
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Geli says:
My one comment is that many people ar afraid this will end up like the Ryan Smyth deal. Why be afraid, that would be great. Maybe fans overrate their prospects, but we gave up 2 mediocre prospects and the 20th overall pick. That’s not a lot. Every GM in the league was furious that Edmonton did it because they would have topped the offer, and Snow ended up being Sport’s Illustrated’s GM of the year. Outside of Islander Country that deal was seen as a huge win for the Isles, and the years since then havent disproved it much as what we have up isn’t hurting us any.
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HilbertSnipe says:
PROVEN 40 goal scorer and THE MOST DYNAMIC SNIPER BEHIND OVECHKIN IN THE LEAGUE. Do it and sign him right away. Not the greatest at defense, but no one can possibly convince me that he would be a detriment to the team in a rebuild or not. do it.
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hockeytime says:
Kovi is a great player I do not want on the Islanders… keep the team together for now and let them grow and play for each other. Bringing in Kovi ruins the chemistry the team has built
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James says:
I think some of you are not thinking about this the right way.
Yes, Kovi is a superstar, but we are in the middle of a rebuild. We cannot give up any of our young pieces to this rebuild for a guy who may not be here by July 1st. It is just not worth the risk. If you can get him and it the deal doesn’t include our young pieces than maybe you think about it
I agree with the people who say proceed with caution, this deal isn’t as cut and dry as some of you (Gravy) thinks it is.
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John says:
The KHL is a stress factor in signing ANY Russian player, let alone a superstar. I say kick the tires see what happens but anything involving a breakdown of the rebuild for a guy with questionable work out habits would have the makings of a disaster that will take the team years to recover from. stay the course. Is he worth a Yashin type deal plus a few mill extra per year? That is a question for Garth and Charles.
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me says:
Keep moving ladies and gentleman, there is nothing to see here.
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Ethan K says:
Make a good trade, and make this happen Garth! We have no players that will turn out to be a 55 goal scorer like Kovalchuk. However, we can’t afford to trade dmen prospects, or Bailey/Okposo/Tavares/Schremp. Trade Tambellini/Biron/Draft picks.
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Vealchop says:
No Thanks.
*Why disrupt the rebuild halfway?
*He is a bit of a cancer.
*Rather make a bid for different stud player with leadership qualities.
*I dont want Yashin part 2 -
JB says:
All the prospects they want so long as we get to sign him to an extension as part of the deal. No way do we deal KO, JB, or JT. Way too young and way too much upside to let them go….even for a proven 40 goal a year scorer. They would be the ones that benefit most by having him here.
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Brian G says:
I would love to have Kovalchuk – but he is never signing with the Islanders…so it would be the same situation as Ryan Smyth. At that point if they are trading for him trying to make a run, will they also be trading for 2 defenseman?
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They would HAVE to extend his contract though. Giving up alot for a rental won’t help us much. As good as Kovi is, he can’t get us to the Cup this year.
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Coral Springs/#29 has it exactly right.
Last week I heard rumors that the Rags were the ones trying to swing this deal, which was laughable on its face, as they would have been stuck with a Tampa Bay circa 2006 situation: three elite players and no support for them. On top of that, they’re cap-strapped and could never re-sign him. (Not that it would stop Sather… heheheheheheh.)
The only real difference between that and this rumor is that the Isles DO have the space… but they likely don’t have the players. I wouldn’t risk the asking price (at least our #1, a top prospect, and one of KO/Bailey/Tavares) just to possibly lose him. I would risk holding him and then making an aggressive push to sign him off-season, simply adding him to a strong young core and whomever they draft.
Luckily, few teams have the space to sign him long-term, and risk him leaving as a rental anyway. That might drive the price down, especially if Waddell decides that he’s losing him for nothing anyway. If it costs the Isles something like the first rounder + Neilsen + Tambellini + b-prospect (aka NOT de Haan or Hamonic), then why not take the shot? Give the guy two months to be adored, sell eleventy million “17 Kovalchuk” third jerseys, let him finish lots of pretty feeds from JT and Bailey and KO… then sign him long-term. I’d even pay for his age 35-38 years if that’s what it takes to get him from 26-34.
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bergie20 says:
i doubt that atlanta trades kovy unless they fall out of the playoff race. we can’t make this deal unless kovy agrees to a contract extension. if he wants a super long contract then forget it. i would rather wait until 7/1 unless the price is reasonable in terms of what we have to give up to atlanta and kovy.
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Another factor: He’s not just a draw for fans, he could draw other free agents. Our glaring weaknesses are D and scoring wingers. Kovalchuk takes care of the primary scoring winger, and could help draw a 2nd line winger and top-3 defenseman this summer or next. It could be likely that Kovalchuk doesn’t WANT to be a rental, and only get traded to a team that can sign him. If so, that puts the Isles on a short list and could get us him without KO/JT/JB.
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but will he be available at 7/1? if the opportunity presents itself, take it.
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Islander86 says:
I don’t think Isles should trade for Kovalchuk.
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Chris Mc says:
I may get yelled at for this but I have no problem with de Haan being part of this deal but only if Kovalchuk is signed to an extension before the deal. People are saying Calvin cant be traded bc of what we gave up for him but wouldnt you be willing to trade what we gave up for him as part of a package for a top scoring winger? But like I said, the exntension has to be a done deal, just with the luck the Isles have had signing FAs.
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nystrom23 says:
If they could could get him and in a smyth like trade..i say go for it…but only do it if you can lock him in long term
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Tony says:
Three years ago, I MIGHT have thought about this for about ten seconds. Today, no way. Ryan Smyth part dos.
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Eric says:
I just don’t see Snow gutting the system for Kovalchuk. He’s a superstar who has won nothing in Atlanta because they’ve never had a full team to complement him and neither will we if we give up the farm for him. The dude is almost 27 and seeking a 10-12 year deal worth roughly $9-10 Million per. If it’s true that Atlanta isn’t allowing a team to negotiate a long term deal with him before finalizing a trade then I say wait for the offseason and go after him as a FA. We give up nothing in terms of picks and prospects and add a legit Sniper to play with JT. It’s not like his acquisition this year transforms us into Cup contenders and I’d rather not set the rebuild back for a guy who may not re-sign.
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#32, please don’t compare Alexie Yashin to Kovalchuck…lol and Milbury is long gone, I can’t really bash Snow for any move he’s made thus far
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I can smell the fan tradewinds a blowin
Yeah trade witt, Tambellini, cory trivino, gervais swap our 5th round picks and a problem player to be named later and I’ll even be a champ and throw in a used zamboni(only 30,00 miles on it) for Kovulchuck and a 2nd round pick.
Absolutely good deal for you Mr. Wadell
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steve says:
you trade for a rental if your a top 3 seed, and that rental is so good, it makes a favorite to make the finals. kovy doesnt do that for us this season. we have $20 million in cap money, don’t throw players and money at a rental.
its good press for the team, our GM has a history of being aggressive at times, quiet at others, and real sharp in his moves. wait til sept, raise the payroll to $40 million, and print playoff tickets. think about what just another $7 million in payroll could provide the current 2009-2010 isles in terms of scoring, size or defense. consider the improvement in JB in his second season, and think about JT next year.
i am glad i dont play cards against garth snow. the guy is unpredicatable, that is a great trait. -
James says:
If this is indeed true, and Snow can leverage Kovalchuk’s pending UFA status to bring the asking price down to somethign reasonable, I am all for it.
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The Simtuation says:
Some reports on Kovalchuck are saying he is seeking around 11 million a year. Unless that is severly frontloaded and we dont give up Tavares, Okposo, Bailey, Schemp, DeHann, Hamonic, Hillen, or Koskonen, I’m all for it. Joensuu, Tambellini, Nillson (the goalie), Niemi, and a 2nd rounder would be a deal I could see as none of them would be a big blow to the organization.
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DoubleW says:
PLEASE do not trade for Kovalchuk. Bid for the UFA Kovalchuk, sure but DO NOT trade for him.
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beatlebailey says:
Prospects=SUSPECTS…trade anyone not named KO JB or JT to get this legitimate top 10 player in the league. Give up our number one this year and 3 prospects..Hamonic Poulin, Jonesuu,Dehann…it works for the yankees…the prosopects must be traded while they have top value…that being said I would only do that if Kovi was signed long term
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Rich says:
If you can sign him long term do the trade. I would trade anyone but JT. 40-50 goal scorers are next to impossible to get. Kovalchuk is still young and he would bring so much excitement to the team. I believe it could prevent this team from moving. The added bonus is that it takes all the pressure of JT since Kovalchuk will be “the man.” This would help JT’s development, I believe. Fun that we are not talking about the lottery.
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Boss12 says:
Without including JT or Okposo how is any trade even close to even, there has to be someone else who has something better to offer. Seems to me that this story is about as true as Snow getting close to bringing Petrov over here.
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mike says:
# 19 took the words out of my mouth. keep JT, KO, and JB. anybody else is expendable. these young prospects have potential no doubt, but kovalchuck is a PROVEN top 5 player in the world. im not a fan of renting players but if we have to part ways with some potentially good young guys than do it!
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rob76 says:
Kovalchuk is a franchise player – more than JT more than KO. I would not give up either of those players for him but i would give up any Pick/other player in our system to get this guy. He could change our franchise forever – Garth would not be doing his job if he didnt at least try. If we got him our PP would not be an embarassment and we would def make the playoffs – and he is in his prime – give him a max contract – he’s worth it
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BRIAN says:
Remember a time when the Islanders got burned by another Russian with a long term deal (We are still paying for it). The Yashin deal set the Isles back almost a decade. There is no way this can happen to a team twice can it?
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51 The Simtuation – Please re-think what you just wrote – you wouldnt trade Bailey, Schemp, DeHann, Hamonic, Hillen, or Koskonen for Kovalchuk? i understand the JT- KO part but come on – we will probably have to give up most/all of those guys – and i think its worth it if we can sign him
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SYBO says:
Kovalchuk can MAYBE help us make the playoffs BUT there are still way too many other holes on this team to go deep…even with his super skill in the line-up. How far has Atlanta gone since he’s been on the team? Trading away anything other than expendable prospects and picks for ANY rental player at this stage of the rebuild would be utter foolishness. This guy isn’t signing any deal before July…he and his agent are gonna sit back and enjoy the summer feeding frenzy…they’d be fools not to. Snow should wait till the summer to make a big play for this guy…now is not the time.
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RD says:
Forget it. Keep the young players and the picks. In the long run, Okposo will be worth more than Kovolchuk. Okposo will never jump to the KHL either. Russian players on the Islander’s are a curse. Stay away!
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Figgy says:
I have to say this – I have full trust that Garth will do the right thing for the franchise – I trust him, he has us on the right track and it does him no good to do anything that would derail us!
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Bobby says:
We are talking about a guy who averages 43 goals per year & some of you are upset we may part with Calvin deHaan?!?!?!?!?! Riiiiiiight!
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rob – No I would not trade away those guys for Kovalchuk. It just isnt worth it at this time in the rebuild.
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#63 Bobby:
You do realize this would be a “rental” trade right? The guy walks away @ the end of the season if he wants -
um Bobby, Calvin De Haan was drafted to be our franchise Dman for the next 15 seasons. If you can get Kovalchuk for free during the summer, I would not trade away a huge part of our defense in the future for him
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Adam says:
I agree with Matt Martin #19, we are talking about Ilya Kovalchuk, one of top three offensive players in the league (ovie and gaborik the other two). He is a one man force. As much as I love how Bailey is playing, I would trade him in a heart beat for a still relatively young superstar. I would throw in DeHaan too. Obviously, this deal only goes down if we are guaranteed to sing him to a 5-7 year contract. Plus, with think of it this way. Schremp is starting to emerge also. If we give up bailey, we replace him with Schremp who we got for nothing.
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Joey303 says:
Kovy is a LEGIT SUPERSTAR. If DeHaan needs to be in the trade -so be it. We have about 13 goalie prospects, and Atlanta needs goaltenders. Didnt Patrick Roy call Poulin one of the best goalie prospects? Add Neilsen and Koskinen……. one of them + DeHaan + Schremp+ Neimi and Petrov – jeez – this is Kovalchuk for crying out loud. Im reading dont trade Schremp…are you kidding? For Kovy?? Get him, sign him, move a huge step forward in the rebuild
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JT9187 says:
I think garth is just throwing his chips in not really expecting anything. He’ll def. end up in L.A. where his stardom like personality will be perfect. We move Biron to Oilers with Bulin out with back surgery, prob get back a speedy player or a decent d-man.
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Lane says:
As much as I love KO, I would trade him if the Isles can lock up IK for 7 years.
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Doug F. says:
This article brings to mind one of Herb Brooks’ (and George W. Bush’s) famous saying: “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.”
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Every year the Devils are in the Hunt for a cup. They rarely make splashy deals and rely on drafting and development primarily. Giving up our top defensive prospects when we so desperately need help on defense just to get Kovalchuk still leaves us with an incomplete TEAM now and in the immediate future. Again he alone does not make us a cup contender. Snow is doing his due diligence and I appreciate that. I just don’t see us going for broke to nab the 8th seed and I wouldn’t want to either. I think he wants to hit FA anyway so just wait for him then.
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Frank Dillon says:
No need to go after him, the Isles are not a cup contender. I think they could use their chips elsewhere for someone more long term. No way they would ever meet his contract demands in the offseason
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KOVY_Chemistry says:
While I would love to get Kovy, and do not deny his stardom or abilities… how would it affect the chemistry of this team.
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Lance79 says:
Two ways to look at this – this could have been leaked by someone on the Atlanta side (esp after taking a cursory look at the Isles cap room) purely to drive up the asking price (slick move if so but Isles fans may be the only ones to smell BS here).
Other POV is that this is the second disgruntled #1 overall pick in less than 7 months to be linked to us -remember how at the last second we were suddenly rumored at the ’09 draft to make a pitch for Lecavalier? Either Atlanta just borrowed something from Tampa’s playbook or where there’s smoke there’s fire – Snow might really be looking around for a way to speed up the rebuild (with expensive taste no less).
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Bill says:
kovie is only 26, he fits with the youth. stop fantasizing about guys who havent proved a thing (de haan, harmonic, donovan). if he can be signed, there is no reason the islanders should not pull the trigger on this deal. even if it means parting ways with a bailey or neilsen. those two will never equal half of what kovie brings. stop thinking like a fan. kovie is a proven STUD, we just can’t have him as a rental.
i could not agree more with matt (gravy) martin
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#77 – you forgot the Sedin’s, Crosby, Malkin, Thornton and Marleau in between ovie and gaborik. I would put Kovalchuck after all these guys. Kovy is not a complete player, he is one dimensional.
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Ed from Philly says:
As good as Kovolchuk is, I’d rather try and sign him in the offseason than overpaying for him in a trade.
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Burke for idiot! says:
Guys Kovalchuk signals the rebui;d is ahead of schedule and the Isles are legitimately ready to TRY and make the playoffs… Come on guys embrace . deHann has huge POTENTIAL Kovy is instant credibility , Imagine him with Okposo and Tavares!!!!!!! Im drroling already and am dialing to get a ticket package!
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Staten Islander says:
As much as I’d like to do a deal for guys not named Bailey, Okposo, and Tavares, I would not do it. This guy has July 1st in his sights, and the last time I heard, he wants 10 mil per. He’s not signing here.
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we paid yashin (still are), why do you think we wouldnt give kovie money?
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Madchef says:
newsday just reported snow comment that team will not steer away from current course. no kovalchuk….discussion over.
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Blizzard says: …..Well think of this, a top line of Kovalchuk, Taveres, Okposo. As much as I really like Baily, Kovie is 26 and a bonifide sniper. If at all possible, I say make it happen. You could go through 10 years of drafting and not get a player with his skill set. Of course KO and JT are untouchable.
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Cody says:
Wawaweewoo. hamonic maybe?
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Bill #82… There is no denying Kovalchuk’s skills. But we have so many holes to fill that it’s not so much fantasizing about the potential of DeHaan or Hamonic but rather the realization that Kovalchuk alone does not make us a contender this year. With so many glaring needs and no realistic shot at a cup this year what’s the rush? Unless he goes to Pitt or Detroit does anyone really see him taking himself off the FA market? Why give up our best prospects when we don’t have to?
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Isles and Preds are both 12 mil under the cap, Phx is 16 mil under. The next in line are teams starting at 6 mil under.
This definitely leaves a short list of teams as options.
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Strummer's Army says:
1) Kovy puts up huge numbers and has massive talent. No denial.
2) I have no idea what kind of teammate he is.
3) I remember on one Isles goal him skating totally past the player with the puck and doing nothing before his team got scored on. I don’t know if he is always that bad on D but…
4) He’s Russian. I really do not like Russian players not named Ovechenkin or Malkin. They play a North American game and are committed to playing in the NHL. There is talk of an enormous offer maybe no NHL Team could match from the KHL.
5)I would rather have Taylor Hall. Same position and Hall can score just as much. Hall’s dynamic skating would be amazing in Gordon’s system.
6) I would not trade Hamonic. Anytime a player is said to be just a tier below Shea Weber (the most complete d-man in the NHL IMO) I hang onto him. De Haan maybe but the Isles think a ton of him and his future impact to move up to grab him. I thought Petrov was excellent at WJC but still you have to give to get so I guess I would trade him. I wouldn’t trade the huge, blossoming (look at his #’s) and fighting JJ.
7)Untouchable: Bailey, Okposo, DiPietro, Tavares, Hamonic, JJ, Riechlecz, Martin and preferably De Haan. Trading Streit would creat a HOLE but at his age I guess you do it.
Why do I have a feeling ATL would be very interested in Schremp and Moulson?Anyway it is exciting to read but we’ll see. I’d honestly prefer if they acquired Gaustaud for the big, skilled, fighting center. O’Byrne and Theo Peckham for the defense. Added picks since there are a nice selection of good big mean d-men in this draft, and remained in position to grab Hall or Fowler.
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Just Sayin says:
Lazy Russian dog? He’s only one of the best players in the game.
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potvin rocks says:
Unless there is a long term deal worked out with the Kovy camp beforehand, NO WAY.
Don’t need another 2 months of jersey sales, when we could benefit from a missing the playoffs and getting a great draft pick. Cam Fowler is going to be pick 3-5 and if you watched the World Juniors he looks NHL ready. -
Frank says:
I think we should just wait to sign him in the offseason. That is by far the smartest thing to do. THERE IS NO NEED TO RENT HIM WHEN YOU COULD EASILY LOCK HIM UP IN THE OFFSEASON. Just look back to Hossa, Pitt traded for him and Detroit signed him in the offseason. I say wait b/c we have the cap space.
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orgaNYIzation says:
Got to consider the $$$ aspect now that Wang gets gate/concession/parking proceeds (I assume that SMG buyout was done). Each home playoff game is worth (I’m guessing) $2 million. If Kovy can get us into the 2nd round, that’s a huge financial bonus.
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omfg – the way some people talk about cdh. look he is a very good prospect at this point nothing more. if we could get kovi without giving up any of the core three you have to do it.. I dont give a crap how much money it is..its not mine. I want to see that Kovi Tavares Okposo line every night! That would be a no brainer. newsday made it seem like cdh was a top 3 pick..he was a reach at 12 who may or may not work out. Kovi is a legit star- much better than yashin ever was. And this coming from a fan who takes a Kvasha every morning after I eat my bran flakes…this guy is LEGIT…you have to have the discussion if you’re garth
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Islanders1984 says:
If It does not include a long term deal then don’t do it. KO and JT are definately not being traded. I would trade Bailey as long as a long term deal is involved with Kovalchuk. But Im also nervous because of the last Russian we wanted to be our franchise player
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TurgeonFan77132 (Matt) says:
Kovalchuk would be a wonderful addition to the Islanders, however Snow would be foolish to give away Okposo, Bailey, or Tavares…why would we have drafted JT in the first place if we were going to end up shipping him off to somewhere like Atlanta and have Kovy leave for another team- a la Ryan Smyth…don’t pull a Don Maloney, or better yet, Mike Milbury on us…
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jimisles says:
Sorry but Bailey is only 20 years old and we may be witnessing what he is about to become.
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msolo says:
WE dont need another ryan smyth bs if hes just a rental
we should not be looking for hired guns for a rebuild -
Eric N. says:
I read or heard somewhere that Waddell will not allow teams talk to Kovalchuk about extension before the trade is made. That has to mean Kovalchuk has expressed to Atlanta that he is giving serious consideration to the KHL. And if so, I wouldn’t want to give up anything of substance because even with Kovalchuk this year, the Isles would have to be considered a long shot to make the Stanley Cup, nevermind win it.
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the real JD says:
CB – I think you incorrectly state that Wadell needs to bring back a player of Okposo’s caliber for a rental. Calling it a fireable offense is way off base.
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Kevin says:
Wait until the offseason to pursue him. Lets not throw away key pieces for a player we could be signed this summer.
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german islesfan says:
Kovi as an Islander would be nice.. and so far nobody wear the #17# on our roster right
? I think no eastern conf. team has a really chance on him until July 1 because Thrashers are also in the Play-off hunt. -
Treat this like making a purchase in the stock market.Buy low,sell high.There are crazy rumors floating around {I think some of the TSN,Rogers Sportsnet,or Toronto hockey media said that there is a concerned effort in the KHL to offer Kovalchuk $75 million dollars upfront in order to have bolt there.] Kovalchuk as great as he is has never won an NHL playoff game.In 30 days Don Waddell is going to lose him with zero return like he did with Marian Hossa,Same scenario as the Jay Bouwmeester in Florida last year.Offer Waddell our crumbs and if he bites fine.If he does not,Well let him compete against the Russian billionaires for Kovalchuks future.In Garth ans Jankowski,I trust.A number one draft pick for Chris Campoli was out and out robbery.Hey Kovalchuk will be free in July,and if he then is interested in the NY Islanders,we will negotiate a deal that benefits us.No important pieces of this franchise should be dealt!
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Snow’s public denial means nothing.
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eric nystrom says:
It’s all starting to come together.. Mikhail Prokhorov (russian billionare and future owner of the Islanders) is the driving force. Brooklyn with its huge Russian population will be a great home for Ilya. I also guarantee Lebron will come to the Nets as Mikhail offers him the highest paycheck in sports history.. This is the future for Isles and Nets fans and the future looks bright.. I have suffered long enough as most of you have and it’s time to turn it around!
Let’s Go Isles
Let’s Go Nets
Let’s go to BrooklynThank you Mikhail Prokhorov
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JPinVA says:
Once again we reach the “Y” in the road…
The logic here dictates that IK would just be a rental. I think the Isles should be buyers, but not renters…HUGE DIFFERENCE. ATL would want youth and upside. The isles…well.. they “can’t spare a square”.
If Garth is interested in another $10M/yr, 10 year contract he can look into it on July 1. That would be like Jackie marrying Bobby after the funeral.
They can do without IK until 2010-11.
This story wreaks of irresponsible journalism… I think they need to FOCUS on servicable D-men in the Kmart to JC Penney range. (Biron, Sim, Park, Weight, even Sutton) all who are UFA’s after the season. You can’t shop at Macy’s with $10 in your pocket and an empty stomach. -
#104 — Prokhorov will never own the Islanders, because he’s not allowed. NHL rules.
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Pat says:
First off if Kovalchuk is traded he is not giving up his free agent status at years end for anybody. Afer Garth Snow has rebuilt this team and more importantly the farm system over the last 2 years, I’m not trading any of our top prospects for him to watch him leave at seasons end. Once free agency starts how many teams besides us will have the cap space to sign him. That’s when I say go get him. Not now, for just a rental.
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Metalcoconut says:
Sure it is hard to believe. Not to knock Larry Brooks sources or his intuition but I the fact that he is employed by the NY Post is enough detractor to any story. However, I agree with you virtually canonizing (he is still alive of course) him if he is able to pull Kovi to the island on the backs of 2 nonessential prospects and a 1st rd pick. Unfortunately I think that might be his only opportunity to bring him here. Once free agency opens he won’t want any part of what the Isles have to offer. So I guess the strategy is similar to the strategy of the Smyth trade in that we get him to come here and then show him all of the great things that the Island has to offer him and totally forget that we may not even be here in 5 years? I still don’t see how that can work but stranger things hace happened. Speaking of which we haven’t heard anything from the Lighthouse front in a while. If they do make a play for Kovi perhaps that is a good front for the Lighthouse project?
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If they’ll take Tamby, Witt and Biron (sorry CB) for him, I’ll go down there and bring him back myself
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JT says:
I am pessimistic that this will happen, but if we can pull it off with the one from A and one from B ideal that Brooks said was possible the Islanders need to sign him to a long term contract. Could this be a good thing if we get Kovalchuck and then bring Petrov over to play with him??
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Matt says:
How can anyone possible criticize this move. prime of his career — at minimum a top 10 player in the league. Marquee name. Go get him garth!
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AY says:
Getting Kovalchuck would be great, but trading KO, JT, JB is out of the question. Atlanta had him and Hossa and couldnt win a playoff game. Hockey is a team sport and trading away young players that dont count much against the cap right now is not a good idea. If he is available in the off season make an offer, I wouldnt give him the max contract he is looking for though. Going to the need the money in the next few years to build a complete team. In my opinion you stick with the current plan of going with youth and dont mess up the chemistry of the team. Part of the reason all the young players are playing better is because they feel like they are building something together, no reason to mess that up in year 2 of a rebuild.
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Like JT said, if its a one from A and one from B deal then Im all for it even if he doesnt sign an extension and goes into FA. The chances of the Isles landing him now in the summer are probably 2% unless they make one historic run into the playoffs. You bring him over here for the final two months of the season, maybe he ends up liking the team and the guys, the team has moderate success, and that gives you a better chance of landing him in the offseason. Those of you who say wait for the summer so we can get him for free, if you really think that, you havent been watching the last couple offseasons.
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isles72 says:
hopefully Snow is just being a sly ol’ dog here by showing interest /yet not really having any
by doing so he’s driving up the asking price for the fools ready to pay through the nose.
I’d be more impressed if the isles overpaid slightly for a legit top 4 d-man for the stretch drive
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admin says:
Post updated with reaction to Snow’s quote to Newsday…CB
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LouD says:
What is the purpose of telling us you’re going to rebuild through the draft and then promptly giving up 1st round draft picks plus players who are developing for a guy who will play here for 2 months. How does that work? We get in the playoffs, lose in the first round, lose Kov to free agency, lose our first round draft pick, and lose two of our young players (one of which would have to be someone with major upside). How exactly does that help the team get better for the future?
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#75 – I am not looking at this as a rental trade. If they pull the trigger on this it has to be with the intent/knowledge they will be able to resign long term and make him a part of the core of this franchise.
#76 – Calvin deHaan has the POTENTIAL to be a franchise defenseman….Kovalchuk IS a FRANCHISE player!!
There is no better way to start attracting top tier free agents then to have a roster with all-world players for them to envision playing with. With the addition of a player like Kovalchuk, you have what could be 4 (Tavares,Okposo,Streit & Kovy) all-world players.
Lets not forget the other glaring problem with this franchise, ticket sales. You add a player with the level of excitement he brings to the rink every night, that problem solves itself!
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Glad to hear the rumors are overblown. I don’t see that ever helping the future of this franchise. That is ofcourse unless they signed him to a longterm contract. Anything else would be a silly waste of time.
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therain93 -- terriers fan says:
As nice as it would be to have Kovy, I’ll be okay if it doesn’t happen either. Some of the offers proposed for him are hilarious..take tambellini, take sim, take park, take gervais, meyer, biron, thompson….you know…the boo-birds’ doghouse regulars.
Seriously though, while those kinds of offers are unrealistic, we’ve seen fire sales for a player of that calibre before with Luongo, Jagr and most recently Big Joe Thornton. It could happen but let’s not get our hopes up. best of luck to Garth with keeping the ship moving forward.
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I’d just like to know how all us fans KNOW with certainty so much about Calvin DeHaan. And how he’s going to be a franchise defensive player for the next 15 years even though he’s still in juniors, has never played for even bridgeport. I’m not saying I know about the kid, but the only time I saw him, he looked awful vs. Team USA. Probably doesn’t mean anything, but lets take it easy before we go nutz about a guy we could have got even if we didn’t trade up for him.
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Jethro09 says:
Two words on any potential Kovy deal: Never happen. No way the Isles part with the prospects, players or picks necessary to land such a player. I assume that Snow has learned his lesson from the Smyth debacle not to trade picks/prospects for a rental, so the only way the deal should go down is if Kovy signs a long-term extension, and there is no way Kovalchuk foregoes unrestricted free agency and pass up the opportunity to have 30 teams bid on him to sign a long-term deal with the Isles.
Kovy added to this roster doesn’t make the Isles a Cup contender, so there’s no need to trade prospects/picks for him. Stay the course!
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There’s a couple of big difference between Yashin and Kovalchuk, I think – first, Kovalchuk is playing this season. Yashin sat out his age 26 year in a contract dispute. Second, Yashin suffered a bad injury to his hand/wrist that affected either his nerves or tendons (I forget now which) and that limited his effectiveness.
IOW, Kovie is a much better ten-year bet than Yashin ever was, and is two years younger than Yashin was when the Isles brought him in. Yashin cost the second overall pick, Bill Muckalt, and Zdeno Chara… like giving up (say) Neilsen, Okposo, and the first-rounder in today’s terms. (We have no true equivalent to Big Z right now, alas.) The question becomes, will he sign? And if you think he will, can you somehow get out of sending Okposo, giving a prospect instead?
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Honnold says:
Kovalchuck isn’t just a sniper. He’s an ASSASSIN.
This kind of reminds me of the Jets problem in reverse. Jets have almost everything in place for Championship run and then they bring in a rookie QB. The timing is terrible.
In this case, the Isles are 2-3 years away and they can bring in the equivalent of a Dan Marino.
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joe fred va says:
I could see the Thrashers interested in these young players, Matt Donovan, Rhett Rashak, Jonnessu, Petrov,Matt Martin, Comeau, Poulin, Tambellini, the #1 and #2 pick in this years draft. If Snow gave up 3 of these players and a #1 pick, you gotta do the deal! All the above players have some serious upside potential. Thrashers need some goalkeeping!
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JSExpress says:
I’d be all for this if the Isles could manage to hang on to Okposo & Tavares while also somehow ensuring that Kovalchuk is signed to a multi-year contract.
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thrashers have one of the better young goalies in the league joe in ondrej pavelec
and of course their own ”dipietro” in kari lehtonen
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jeff says:
I’d only do this deal if Thrashers would take DP.
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NYICHAMP39 says:
Id be willing to part ways with DeHann, Petrov, and this years First rounder for Kovulchuck provided he signs long term with us. Outside of Hall, Seguin, Fowler, and Kabanov there are no real WOWERS in this years draft and the Isles dont have a chance of getting any of these guys in their current Standing position. I would not, however part ways with Hamonic. The Isles have no other “shut down” defensemen with his potential in their prospect pool so we MUST hold on to him.
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UIF says:
I’m sure Garth is doing his due diligence, which is good to hear, but at the end of the day, I’ll be utterly shocked if Kovy ends up an Islander.
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Brian says:
I’d love for the team to add Kovalchuk but I believe they’d be better off keeping the young players/ picks it would require to obtain him at the deadline and instead make a big run at him over the summer. The last thing the Isles need to happen would be trading for him then watching him walk. They lucked out the trade for Smyth never turned out to hurt them
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miket239 says:
That character from the NY Post is making a mockery of the Islanders, as usual.
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Im reading about the Smyth “debacle”. Tell me, what are the 3 that we traded to Edmonton doing? The great Robert Nillson (thank you milbury) Ryan O’Marra and the first rounder. Tearing up the league? Snow was tabbed GM of the Year for pulling that off. Yes the Islanders lost Smyth, but Snow had the “cohones” to pull it off. If he could do the same here, as long as the Isles can sign Kovy and not trade JT KO Bailey or Hamonic, tell Wadell to pick 3 players plus a #1 and get it donn!!!!!
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Harold C says:
If this is doable without giving up anyone at the NHL now, I’ll drive them to the airport. However, this cannot be entertained unless we can sign Kov to the deal before the trade is finalized. That’s a deal breaker, this team is in no position to rent someone for a possible playoff berth, so that’s simply not plausible. DOUBTFUL this will happen but hey, stranger things have happened.
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#130, you are exactly right. Trading prospects for a proven, elite scorer is a no brainer… if it’s really possible.
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Bob says:
I’d trade KO, JT or JB for a SIGNED Kovi in a heartbeat. None of our top 3 are projected to be on the level of Kovalchuck. If Garth could unload some of the dead wood on the team (Witt, Thompson, Park, Gervais) to rent Kovi, I’d be all for it. Otherwise I don’t see the point.
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streit02 says:
Obviously the Isles dont have assets that they are willing to trade to deal for Kovalchuk. Going after him as a free agent is a completely different story. I really dont see how signing kovalchuk as a FA deviates from any plan the Isles are on right now. Kovalchuk is only 26 and the Isles lack a game breaking player. He would fit right in and open up so much room for everyone else on the ice. This team is on the playoff bubble and Kovalchuk will undoubtedly get them there. Im sure the isles will make atleast some kind of offer to kovalchuk if he hits free agency, but to say theyre not going to go after him because they dont want to “deviate from the plan” is obsurd.
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Islesfan99 says:
My trade for Kovalchuk – Ness, Petrov and Dehaan.. Take it or leave it and thats only if he is signed for 5 yrs. If he is not agreeing to a contract before signing do not waste your time SNOW..
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Schultz39 says:
Kovy is not a lazy player. I would do this in a heartbeat….
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hyedray says:
PASS….. First I dont believe we have the assets that we would want to part with since MM is not the GM. Second, I cant imagine that any one of Bailey, Tavares, Okposo, or De Haan could be part of the deal.
Tavares is obviously who Snow wanted all along last June. I cant see him giving up on him now.
Okposo is just beginning to breakout. You don’t trade a player who is just coming into stardom. We tried that (see all MM trades)
Snow moved down—TWICE to take Bailey. He was the guy they wanted ALL ALONG, and now they trade him? No sense to it.
Snow moved up TWICE and spent 2 first round picks and several other picks to move up to take De Haan. That is a pretty strong woody for a player you trade 8 months after drafting him…again, where is the logic?
No…I can’t see it. In reading Snow’s “we have a plan and we are sticking with it” I am a little more reassured.
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Unreal, don’t compare Kovy to Smyth. Kovy is in his mid 20′s. Stop with the stick to the plan, if u work out a deal with Wadell and have Kovy commited long term then u would be crazy not to do it. Snow won’t give up JT,JB, and KO never happen. Anyone else and u need to listen. Kovy alone would make the PP lethal. To not believe Kovy would make the Isles an instant offensive powerhouse is crazy!
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IslesRock says:
This Kovalchuk talk is a waste of time and a PR move by someone. I would rather talk about Tamby, Park and Thompson.
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billy says:
i would LOOOOOOOOVE to have kovalchuk even with his non-existence from his own side of center in.
148- Schultz 39, kovy is not a lazy player? We are talkig about kovalchuk right? haha
But……..we need to keep tavs,okposo,bailey,and hamonic, and de haan which means this trade wont happen and thats probably a good thing.
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Eastonhockey says:
This is all absurd. Isles are not trading for him. He would never sign his life away for a cellar dwellar…snows job is to make a offer. Just like few months ago I bid 20 bucks on eBay for a I phone that wound up selling for $200….I obviously lost the bid.
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BC says:
Some comments are making it seem like Snow did something wrong by trading for Smyth. For what we got Smyth for, two prospects who are still in the AHL and a first round pick, it was a great pick up. The only person to blame for not resigning him was Smyth himself. From what I remember, we offered him more money than Colorado, but he simply did not want to sign with us.
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Islesin2010 says:
I’m thinking about the Johan Santana trade and signing by the Mets a few years ago and wondering if something similar can happen here.
If the Islanders and Thrashers come to an agreement for a trade, could Snow negotiate with Kovalchuk before the trade is finalized and give him an extension for X amount of dollars/ X amount of years??
It’s been a long time since the Islanders had a proven guy like this, although I have faith Kyle and JT will turn into stars, it would still be nice. My stance on this is the same as it was to the Sutton story: Whatever Garth decides to do will be okay with me. The arguments for both sides are valid. Both have positives and negatives. The move could turn this team into an automatic contender, yet at the same time this rebuild appears to be going better than ever imagined. Rags lose, boy do they look terrible. Another Brodeur shuts the door on them!
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quez says:
NYI mgmt would have to listen if they could negotiate long term deal w/Kovy. Fans all love the potential of prospects, but rarely do many of them become difference makers in the NHL. Garth and co. need to identify which prospects they believe will be NHL caliber, and also which ones they can live without, even if one day they turn out to be stars. To try and entice Waddell, one would think you would have to start with one of the Dmen (Hamonic,CDH, or Donovan) a forward from the roster (Bergy,Frans, or Bailey) and this years #1 pick, and/or Petrov. Sounds like a lot, but the core would stay intact, you would add a premier sniper & star power to put butts in the seats. with almost all of the superstars locked up long term, it may be a long time before a player like Kovy becomes available.
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Kind of funny to see people tag Frans Nielsen as an “untouchable” in a trade to bring Kovy over. They’re not even in the same universe skill-wise.
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Chris you are truly brilliant! If this team puts out a competitive product and charges market pricing considering the economy and is fan friendly;Attendance and sponsorship will increase ten fold.With the blueprint of professionalism and the ability to stoke the passions of Islander fans with IPB and Fanhouse,The Hockey News should designate you one of the 100 most influential persons in the world of hockey.PS your Monday piece in Fanhouse waa really great. Larry Brooks and Sunday Slap Shots watch out.CB is the new sheriff in town.
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Mario says:
why not let this season pass and go after him in free agency. This way we dont lose players and we can sign him.
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Donna says:
Please no thanks, rent a players and Islanders do not have a good history.
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what i think we are overlooking here is a few things ..all must fall into place ..the price (package of players and or picks) the price (the cost of keeping him ) the lenght of contract(all with the new cba in mind)..and if we would be getting him to fit this system or is there another plan for another system in the future ..but most importantly the timing ..if all these factors do come together at this time then its got to be done because you know it’ll be only a few weeks the most a month when you’ll be hearing about the rangers interest in him ..and that would really stink (for lack of a better word )..honestly im not a fan of brooks at all, in fact i think in his heart hes a ranger fan (never had or has anything good to say about the islanders) .. all of a sudden..hmm he could be setting the table for us to be blasted by him for a “deal” he created and didnt come to fruitious (saying snow didn’t have the you -know -whats the pull the trigger )…now that sound more likely to me
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Patience says:
Stay the course. Kovy doesn’t complete this team.
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local25rooster says:
I will type slow so everybody can understand. He doesnt play defense. im not cool to give up the future no matter how unproven they are, for a rental that doesnt fit our system.Can you recall the last russian superstar we gave up alot for and signed to a long term deal, yeah how’d that work out for us?
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dominla says:
do not want him. sounds ridiculous.
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Ajax says:
Play it out for the rest of the season, go after him this summer.
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1 more thing. A team without any media following shouldn’t be stopping the gm from doing interviews. The isles will turn into hofstra football at the rate they are going.
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Why would anyone not want kovi ??? Because he would take ice time away from all of our dominant top 6 forwards??? Geezus Garth would do this deal in a second even if Bailey had to go IMO
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Brad says:
There is not shot this ever happens, this is absurd.
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and btw the comparison to Yashin is also just as absurd do some homework on a guy before you judge him by where he was born
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Brian B says:
Guys, Brooks is right. Snow is gonna bid for Kovalchuk. He is gonna say to ATL, “here are some picks, a goalie prospect, and a few b level prosepects.” Then ATL will say no and Garth will say ok, and wait till free agency.
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This is the crap you come up with when your bored and there is nothing else better to write about. Not going to happen, who comes up with this sh*t.
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Jzimm says:
I don’t see the Islanders offering the best package for Kovalchuk. However, if Calvin De Haan is the key cog in the deal, you have to do it.
I really don’t understand why anyone would be against such a trade. Kovalchuk is only 26 and he’s got a long way to go before he’s on the downside of his career.
I really don’t see such a trade happening, but I certainly wouldn’t mind having Kovalchuk here.
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Original Rob says:
Trade is not happening, gimme a break. If anything, the Isles can certainly afford to make him an offer as a UFA.
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Brett in the Cleve says:
I wonder if Snow deliberately leaked his interest as a way of letting Kovalchuk know that, should he make it to free agency, the Isles will make an offer. In other words, maybe Snow has no intention of trading away any pieces for Ilya. Maybe his goal is simply to get into Ilya’s head without formally tampering.
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jaymz27 says:
Does anybody remember Mike Milbury? Didn’t that clown trade young talent for quick fixes for 10 years? Don’t get me wrong…I want Kovalchuk more than anyone!!! But I want him playing and developing with Okposo, Tavares, Bailey, Hamonic, de Haan, Donovan and whatever kid we pick in this year’s draft for the next 10 years. Wait until he becomes a free agent and open up the wallet!!!!!
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Marketing Director In-Training says:
I can kinda picture the marketing slogans now: “Ilya the Ilya-nder!” “We’re all Ilya-anders!”
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Jim91 says:
If you followed hockey not just the islanders I honestly don’t know how you would b against this. Getting an elite player like kovy only speeds up our rebuild by a few years as long as we keep Okposo, Tavares and O yeah I’d like to hold on to Bailey. Trading prospects doesn’t mean we can’t plug in other pieces when they become available. Do you really think this team as is will make a run for the cup any time soon. This is just one major piece of the puzzle that we need to pick up. Then Garth can fill up the holes on defence and also get a top fighter. Not a punchig bag!
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I don’t think I realized until now how uncooperative Snow is with CB. That’s unfortunate.
If we’re making a list of untouchables it goes…1. Kyle Okposo
1a. John Tavares
2. Josh Bailey
3. Calvin deHaan (only on the theory they did all that work to get him, they must really want him)
4. NYI Point BlankGiven the above…Roli, DP…psh even Kovalchuk – the interest there is in this team isn’t as high without this site.
And not by any small amount, I think a rather big drop off.Back to the point – Smyth deal was excellent. I think he’s overrated and I didn’t see him an Islander. I don’t miss those kids we gave up.
Kovalchuk is much more unique and yes as someone said earlier – an ASSASSIN. I’d want him bad, but for the right price.
But my gut tells me he’s not the Islanders type. There’s a specific type of personality that fits and works best with this team, not sure he has it.
Don’t care still, I want him here.
Sabres game still seems so far away! -
Shremp Co 13 says:
Kovy’s not comin here. this is beating a dead horse.
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CJCB says:
Dont do it!! Get a big D-Man and an Enforcer get rid of Witt and Gervais! Dont trade any of the new core!! Stay the course, minor moves. We can lose some of the 3rd and 4th liners on the team but we should keep the core!!!
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Here’s the big picture. Snow and Wang will make a legit offer for him. Reason being if Wang wants to sell to the Russian in Bklyn what better way do promote the team then having a STAR Russian player! As for waiting for FA, never happen. Too many teams with nicer facilities will be throwing all kinds of money at him.
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Bob Bassen says:
So the Isles *leak* or *float* this idea for a big-time free-agent or was it indeed a story that was broke from the Atlanta side of things?!? Funny thing (and very annoying) with Isles Management is how they’re always so coy and tight-lipped as if it is Game 3 of the Stanely Cup Finals but a *rumor* like this just magically appears! Maybe it is just to garner fan interest and/or test the waters for our reactions.
I like Garth but he owes CB and this site MUCH RESPECT!!! -
Matt says:
i would trade anyone except tavares for Kovalchuk. that is,…. if he signs with us.
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Mike R. says:
I don’t wnat him. Let’s build a young team. I wouldn’t commit big money to this guy. If you want to keep Tavares and Okposo in the future those guys will need to get paid.
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I hate the word ‘rebuild’. I don’t care who is in the line-up. The team plays to win and its not like we are talking about Kirk Muller here. We are talking about a superstar player in his prime. If u can sign him long-term you do the deal. Right now our prospects are assets. The only players I wouldn’t trade are our three top line forwards. Anyone else is fair game in my book.
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the bomber says:
we are so far below the cap that you need to roll the dice here. Hopefully a contender takes him as a rental, then on july 1 Garth should break the bank for the guy. how would kovalchuk look on wing with JT and KO for the next decade?
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bcarroll25 says:
i don’t care what you give up to get him. if he gets 10 yrs 120 million now or as a free agent, the gm better know what he is getting.is he a great player, yes. is he a winning/leadership type of great player? who knows.to commit that kind of money and years to a player it has to be the right player, not just to put fans in seats. detroit wins with many very good players.so do the devils.stay the course.
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Big Van Vader says:
Remember way back when the Isles floated the Jeremy Roenick rumor?
Same situation here.
-Big Van Vader
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Railbait says:
The T K O line. Yeah, I’d love to see that. I’d rather hold on to our prospects and get him in free agency though.
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#176 – MDIT – I like it!! youre hired!!
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Serious question CB –
Given the current collective bargaining agreement, can a team put out such a stipulation as “no contract talk” as part of trade terms, like Atlanta has done?
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Gary Harding says:
Garth was at the Booster Club meeting last night – and basically said that he is staying the course. He has always had the option to ‘spend’ if needed, but he is quite comfortable with this lineup, and for the most part (with a move for Biron), it will stay in tact.
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dose says:
whoa. #114′s take is very intriguing. a wang/prokhorov partnership has occurred to me as possible, rather than a flat out sale, but the kovalchuk angle didn’t stike me until now.
#116- what rule? -
Kovalchuk = SMYTH TRADE
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Dear Mr. Snow,
While you and your staff has done a great job in obtaining the correct talent to turn this franchise around. Your neglect to talk to NYIPB is a bit disturbing? This website has had 25,000 to sometimes 100,000 visitors in a 24 hour period.These are true Islander fans who buy Islander merchandise and pay to see the Islander at the coliseum or on television.
What does it cost you to talk to CB? Nothing! In the current economic enviroment, I beleive that the NYI need all the free advertisement they can obtain to continue to grow their fan base.
I hope you reconsider your relationship with CB and NYIPB.
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Nova Scotia Isles Fan says:
My thoughts are probably already stated above. John Buccigross on ESPN.com made a list of various trade porposals various teams might make. His thoughts on the Islanders: “Proposed trade: The Islanders have the cap room to give Kovalchuk the monster deal he seeks and thus would not trade any of their high-level prospects for a playoff push.”
Since Atlanta is not allowing teams to discuss long terms deals with Kovalchuk, they are in essence offering him as a rental only. Why would we trade any of our top tier prospects for a rental? If Kovalchuk is interested in being the jewel in the Crown here in Long Island, we can throw buckets of money at him in the off season and have him in the line up *along* with all of our gems, NEXT SEASON.
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felix says:
The problem with signing and/or trading and signing kovaluchuck is that it starts a disturbing trend of eating away at our most prcious commodity … cap space. Yes I do realize what good is cap space if you do not use it.
Okposo is up after this year. lets say he is between the 50-60 range which is possible. long term deal you are giving him 3 mil a season. in another year Bailey is up that is another deal around 3 mil. Tavares is up the year after that, if he hits the 40 goal plateau for the two years he is now 4-5 mil a season.
and like that and add a high priced D man and our cap space is gone.
Also another aspect of it is, top slaray is 4.5 million, then you give 9-11 to kovalchuk, what does that say to okposo and tavares. Even if they get increased to 5 mil a season, you are telling them there is a six million dollar difference between them and kovaluchuck.
the only way around it is to give the young three three year deals but then after they expire and are eligible to for UFA they now want 8 mil a piece which we can not accommodate with kovalchuck.
As nice as it would be i am thinking it is not worth it.
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Numbers65 in Ohio says:
I don’t know Kovie other than he is a great weapon to have. The chemistry we have is great now. Kovie would only fit if he is a selfless team type of player that makes those around him better. The type of guy people want to ralley around. If he is a selfish player and self centered kinda guy it would be detrimental. So far the way Snow operates (sly and secretive) I don’t know how to take any Isles rumor. It would seem now that Snow has had some time at the helm, his ways would seem to be working and in general hopefully something special is blooming here. Time will tell…
Its a good feeling…
LET’s GO ISLANDERS! -
CB Great topic, it is so nice to have these DAILY READS! You are Islanders News! I haven’t tried to check Katie’s blog again since they started the mandititory charge, and I don’t miss it at all. It was only a small supplement to IPB which is the true meal.
I am very happy that you got the Fanhouse gig and it all worked out so well, and they even helped keep IPB up and running. I’m sure they have alot of traffic generated as well by their new guy Christopher!
Win-Win-Win-Win
IPB-Fanhouse-Fans-Botta Fam -
Tim F. says:
No way I’d trade for Kovalchuk now. He’s a UFA this summer, and he simply jump to the highest bidder.
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Also what some fail to realize is that there are very few teams that will be able to afford to sign Kovalchuk this summer, Isles are on this short list
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He’s going to Russia…
competition aside, if the KHL offers him 20 Mil, he’s be a little stupid not to take it.
The Snow will be left with another PR nightmare… -
znatokhokkeya says:
as #114 said, the only way Kovalchuk signs with the Isles is if Prokhorov gets involved somehow. The problem however is that Prokhorov is a huge basketball fan (played on the college level himself), not a hockey fan. But hey…you never know
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For those saying wait until he’s a UFA, you always run the risk he’s dealt before March 3rd and signed long-term by the new club. Atlanta is not letting his contract expire with nothing in return. I’d be surprised if they pull a Toronto Blue Jays – Halladay scenario here.
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#205 organNYI, what you are not realizing is that Waddell is not allowing teams to negotiate a deal before the trade is done.
Kovi also is going to want to test the FA market this summer. He will NOT be signed to a long term deal before July 1st. Atlanta will not allow that and neither will Kovi. The Isles best bet is to wait until this summer to go after him.
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#204 I’m willing to take that risk
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@Felix(201) I think it runs like this:
Kyle and Josh started their first years last year. They are both on 3yr deals that run out after next season, and go into their first RFA period. I won’t speculate salaries.
2011-12 should be their year of spending again. Witt comes off the books. Yashin’s payment is cut in half. If all goes as expected they should have a solid core. The room they’ll have at that point needs to be spent on a guy like Ilya and a solid 15-20 min blueliner that are willing to drop the gloves ala Eric Cairns.(101) -
IslesHostage says:
I just read that DP is untouchable!!!!! DeHaan can’t be part of the trade!!!!! Folks, we either get better any means necessary or we don’t have a clue. Snow’s plan? great. Snow is willing, if he does this, to use any means necessary to improve. THIS is what a GM must do.
Kovy is better than any player we’ve had since LaFontaine. He’s better than any prospect, goalie, etc. and he’s a decent person who could fit in the chemistry.
It will likely never happen since God Himself hates this team (apparently) but if you can put KO, JT, JB and our kiddies (the precious ones) in a situation where we have world class talent, you do it.
And FWIW, we never gave Yashin a chance…..Ronning was our solution to a winger for Yash – and they barely skated together. -
198 Brian G (198): “Kovalchuk = SMYTH TRADE”? You mean that we can get Kovalchuk while giving up essentially nothing of value and then make the playoffs? I think you are being a bit too optimistic lol.
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CSKA says:
I can;t believe znatok brought up the Prohorov thing. That’s been my longshot dream of mine from the start.
Sure, he’s not a hockey fan, but him buying the Islanders is equivalent to Abramovich buying Chelsea and the political immunity that comes with that in Russia. There was a suggestion that Wang needs a marquee name, if he is to sell the team. So Prohorov and his Brooklyn arena makes a ton of sense. He’d pour alot of money into the team. -
pocketski says:
there is not enough european talent on isles roster.
Russians can’t seem to play with just north americans.
Avoid like plague -
Irish Isle says:
I really do not have the time to read the 200+ responses so far but here is my opinion:
Atlanta is trading Kovalchuk as a rental player. There is no reason to trade one of our current core of offense (KO, JT, JB) or future D (Hamonic & CDH) for a rental player. This is not the season to do so. Id it was a few seasons down the line, and the player was the difference for the Cup, then yeah. But not now.
And to those who suggest that what Garth gave up for Smith (O’Marra, Nilsson, and a 1st rounder) proved to be insignificant, remember those were players of the old regime. Not players he selected and groomed to be part of his vision for the Islander’s future. -
Just for the record I am opposed to trading for a rental in the case of Ilya. However if you look back on the Hossa deal that the Penguins made; you could use that as a measuring stick for Ilya. So looking back the Penguins gave up Colby Armstrong (1st round pick # 21 overall), Erik Christanson (3rd round pick), Angelo Esposito (1st round pick #20 overall) and their 2008 1st round choice. Penguins got Hossa and Dupuis. So lets say if you had to match that. Tambellini (1st round pick #27 overall), Rob Schremp (1st round pick # 25 overall), Petrov (3rd rounder that should have been 1st rounder) and this years 1st round pick. In theory that should land you Kovalchuck with or without a throw in. Question is would you make that move if you were Snow? And as a fan would you like that move?
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Isles81 says:
This has disaster written all over it. Stick with the plan unless Atlanta is practiclly giving the guy to us.
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anthony says:
seriously though, if we can get kovalchuk for a fair return with a guarantee of him signing here (unlike the smyth debacle) then i am all for it. barring collapse, next yrs pick will not be lottery bound so give them that, Tamby, and 1 more prospect. then that takes care of the big UFA we needed to sign and Ilya would like to play here, as he stated before he got drafted but i wont go there on that draft, also he has a baby in the NY area, that would help i am sure. then get a top dman next yr and the 3 yr rebuild is over and successsful. getting JT, aquiring Ilya, signing a top dman, and the growth of KO, Bailey, Frans, Bergie, emergence of Schremp, etc.. then resign sutton, got striet, pray for a healthy radek, a healthy DP back to form and this team is ready to go places.
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ny711ot says:
I understand cb’s journalistic courtesy but this is Larry Brooks for pete’s sake. The guy is off the wall and off base 95% of the time. My guess, waddell freezes up and doesn’t do anything.
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Would love to have Kovie. that said, I would not give up half of our better prospects just to have him sign elsewhere July 1st. Can’t blame garth for doing his due-diligence and find out what it would take to land him. Now that he knows, I’m sure he will do the right thing for this franchise. Wait until he is a free agent—then spend!!! Our fans deserve this. Our good young players who work their butts off every night deserve this too! TKO-line? Brilliant! I would definitely be first on line for season tix!
whoa! deff a bombshell.. but de Hann cannot b apart of this… not after what that isles did to draft him CB.. that’s just hard for me to believe!