Report: Habs re-sign Kovalev

[Madferret]

Report: Habs re-sign Kovalev
TSN.ca Staff

The Montreal Canadiens have reportedly re-signed Alexei Kovalev, according to a report from Madiscon Square Garden network.

Kovalev, who joined the Canadiens in 2004 from the New York Rangers in exchange for Jozef Balej and a 2nd round pick, had just one goal and two assists in 12 games for the Habs prior to the lockout.

In 66 games with the Rangers, he had 13 goals and 42 points prior to the trade.

In the postseason, Kovalev rediscovered his scoring touch, scoring six times and tallying 10 points in 11 playoff games.

[Mel]

I've never been subtle about what I think of Kovalev.

Let's just say you take the bad with the good. Actually he might find good success in Montreal because of the bright hockey media spotlight.

The way he reacted to blowing that P.O. game last season, by going on a scoring tear is Kovalev in a nutshell - he's needs a flame under his butt to live up to his capabilities. He didn't really get it in New York except from Mike Keenan (Cup year, coincidence?) and he certainly didn't get it in Pittsburgh.

If the Montreal media and fans stay on his case, we could see a nice rejuvenation of an inconsistent career.

[bluemeanie]

Terms:
The Montreal Canadiens have signed unrestricted free agent winger Alexei Kovalev to a four-year contract... the 32-year-old veteran will earn $4.5 million per season.

[Mel]

Terms:
Make him earn every penny Hab fans, that's all I can say.

Then he might just be worth it.

[TimmyTabasco]

This is more good news :nod:

Say what you will about the guy, but I think he is a good fit in Montreal. The fans/media will not allow him to take a day off ;)

He has size, and can score..and thats what the Habs really need right now

[Newfie John]

4.5 mil per? I don't know about that one, a little too inconsistant if you ask me.

[Mel]

4.5 mil per? I don't know about that one, a little too inconsistant if you ask me.

I agree... but I have a feeling Montreal will suit him, and this could possibly be justified. Alexei got his first ever taste of playing for a real Canadian hockey city last year, and quickly learned that his performance got a tad more attention than it did in the states. He sure "found his game" in a hurry!

Maybe that's how Montreal is viewing this too, because 4.5 is definitely on the high side.

Alexei to me is similar to Manny Ramirez of the Boston Red Sox. Loaded with talent but the brain is just on auto-pilot. He's a nice enough guy, that's not the problem, he just marches to a different drum. He needs to be steered... if there's no one steering him, the results will be inconsistent, if not entirely unexpected.

10 years ago under Mike Keenan... a young Alexei Kovalev had an apparent problem with line changes, he stayed on the ice too long. So Keenan decided to teach him a lesson and not let him change in the 3rd period. Every time he skated in for a change, Keenan sent him back telling him to stay out there. He stayed on the ice according to John Davidson between 8 and 9 minutes without a breather. The kicker was that Kovalev didn't even get Keenan's point. He thought he was being rewarded with ice time :nod:

[Bob burns]

4.5 mil per? I don't know about that one, a little too inconsistant if you ask me.

Yeah I agree, it does seem a little steep for Kovalev. But he will get a full season with the team and if he can come close to reclaiming the magic he did in Pittsburgh it could be a very exciting offensive season for the Habs and their fans. Good luck my Canucks of the East. :)

[PDO]

Yeah I agree, it does seem a little steep for Kovalev. But he will get a full season with the team and if he can come close to reclaiming the magic he did in Pittsburgh it could be a very exciting offensive season for the Habs and their fans. Good luck my Canucks of the East. :)

Why are you wishing the Leafs luck? :)

4 of the 6 Canadian teams made a major signing in the past 24 hours.. I love it!