[thedarkcanuck]

Kovalchuck traded to the New Jersey Devils..

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John Oduya
Niclas Bergfors
Patrice Cormier (mr elbow)
1st Rnd Pick..2010

for Kovy and some nobody..

lou must like that nobody, he traded him to atlanta last year...maybe he`s the next johnny oduya

[thedarkcanuck]

He's on rental, I doubt he'll stay in NJ, unless they win the cup, which I am fairly certain they won't.

that`s right, i`m feeling repeat

[Lizard King]

If Waddell had any brains imo he should have done all this last year instead, offer the guy a contract extension if he signs great if not deal him and get way more at the deadline or in the off season when he still had some contract left. Doing this in the olympic year and while he's a pending UFA was a no win unless he was sure to sign, which he would have done long ago if he really wanted to stay which he didnt...who leaves 101 million on the table? Even if it is Atlanta.

2-1 odds he goes to the KHL for 20 mil next year...

[ryan93]

How exactly does that work? Could the Thrashers have resigned Kovalchuk say before last years trade deadline, even though he had 1.5 years left on his contract? Or do you have to wait until July 1st, 1 year before the contract expires?

[redhill]

If Waddell had any brains imo he should have done all this last year instead, offer the guy a contract extension if he signs great if not deal him and get way more at the deadline or in the off season when he still had some contract left. Doing this in the olympic year and while he's a pending UFA was a no win unless he was sure to sign, which he would have done long ago if he really wanted to stay which he didnt...who leaves 101 million on the table? Even if it is Atlanta.

2-1 odds he goes to the KHL for 20 mil next year...

good post

I see the KHL being a threat to the NHL in the not too distant future

[Lizard King]

How exactly does that work? Could the Thrashers have resigned Kovalchuk say before last years trade deadline, even though he had 1.5 years left on his contract? Or do you have to wait until July 1st, 1 year before the contract expires?

not sure exactly, but there no reason you cant come to an agreement and sign on a new contract before the other one expires. Lecavalier's new deal didnt kick in until July 1st last year after his current contract had expired, as an example.

I still have a feeling this guy will price himself out of the NHL unless he was just screwing with Atlanta with the numbers to get himself off the team, Im sure his agent played a part in this scheme. Im sure this all was deliberate and he never was going to sign.

[Lizard King]

And just to add on the KHL, I dont know much of whats really going on over there, but all its going to take is a big cash injection from rich owners and companies, steal a few real NHL stars with big money offers and this thing could potentially take off...

its still early days yet so who knows

i wonder if Gary is getting nervous though..

[jonprice34]

Im not a leafs fan by any stretch (Go Flyers Go), but this is tragic news about Brian Burke's Son.
HIs son Brendan was killed in a car accident yesterday. <!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.tsn.ca">www.tsn.ca</a><!-- w -->

[ryan93]

Terrible new indeed, you gotta feel for Burke & his family. I wonder if he'll be taking some time away from the Maple Leafs now? The Olympics are right around the corner as well.

[The Darkest Canuck]

To be a real threat to the NHL, the KHL would need not only a whole slew of star players, but a good tv deal for North America as well, which is something the NHL itself has hard enough time figuring out (not the NHL is run by the brightest crayons in the box, but still). I really don't see it happening.

[laliber]

Gainey set to resign as Canadiens GM
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MONTREAL -- Bob Gainey is expected to step down as Montreal Canadiens general manager at a Monday afternoon news conference.

Team president Pierre Boivin is scheduled to make an announcement regarding the Canadiens'' "hockey management'' at the Bell Centre news conference.

The Canadiens currently sit sixth in the Eastern Conference standings with 62 points in 60 National Hockey League games.

TSN reports that Pierre Gauthier will take over the post on an interim basis.

[Lizard King]

thanks for the service Bob but dont let the door hit you on the way out.

glad he's gone, he just wasnt up to the job anymore, anyone could see that.

I hope whomever takes his place after the season has some ambition and a real plan.

And please nobody who played for the team!!!!!!

[redhill]

As a Bruins fan , i was hoping he would have stayed on

[emperor penguin]

thanks for the service Bob but dont let the door hit you on the way out.

glad he's gone, he just wasnt up to the job anymore, anyone could see that.

I hope whomever takes his place after the season has some ambition and a real plan.

And please nobody who played for the team!!!!!!

I think Gautier is the permanent replacement. I would like to have seen Neal Smith take over, I think he's a pretty good GM. Other than that I don't know who else is really out there. Although knowing the history of the franchise, I wouldn't be surprised if they asked Kirk Muller, Pierre Turgeon, Patrick Roy, Steve Shutt, Guy Lafleur, or Mats Naslund etc. etc.

[ryan93]

What the hell has gotten into Jason Spezza? In his last 11 games, 12 goals & 16 points.