The Next Big Thing: Ilya Kovalchuk

by BReynolds on Jan 26, 2010 9:19 AM CST

With the Kovalchuk sweepstakes about to take place, and a thousand articles out there already about where he will go and who will get what in return, it is time to address the Wild's role in the process. Since I have seen a growing number of questions about if the Wild would be interested, the answer to that question is: yes. Silly question people. Who wouldn't be interested?

As we all know, trades involve two sides. So, what do the Wild have to offer back to the Thrashers? Make the jump.

I'm going to leave it at that.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

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Yup, sounds about right.

Let's Go Wild!

by redheadzeb on Jan 26, 2010 9:55 AM CST reply actions

Not Happening

Kovalchuk makes $7.5 million this year, and will probably be up for a pay raise next year. This would mean one of two things:

1) He’s a rental for the rest of the season. This would only make sense if the Wild were already in a position to make a deep run in the playoffs, which doesn’t look like it’s going to happen. This team is way too inconsistent to make the playoffs.

2) He becomes the long-term face of the franchise. This probably wouldn’t happen either as the Wild already feel they have that player in Mikko Koivu (who will need a new contract at the end of the 2010-2011 season). Since the Wild have 21 players that are free agents at the end of the season, it would seem that paying Kovalchuk that kind of money (somewhere around $8 million a season) is not possible.

In order to bring Ilya to Minnesota, the Wild would have to send draft picks and prospects. I don’t think the new regime is like the old Doug years where we send off draft picks to mortgage the team future. The Wild need the picks and the cap space in order to get some of their players back for next season.

Phoenix could be an interesting destination. If the team is serious about making a deep run, they could use Ilya to add some scoring depth to the team. His addition would add a lot of firepower to a team struggling to hang on. Plus, he would put fans in seats come playoff hockey.

by JDesthubert on Jan 26, 2010 11:29 AM CST reply actions

Phoenix. I like that idea. I like that idea A LOT. Suppose the NHL would be OK with that?

Hockey Wilderness

by BReynolds on Jan 26, 2010 12:07 PM CST up reply actions

I think this would be a win-win for both the NHL and Phoenix. The Coyotes can’t sell tickets, but a big name would help both the franchise gain some popularity and the NHL in their quest to stabilize the Phoenix market. Plus, if the Coyotes do get moved, at least they have a superstar to lay the groundwork to make the next market a little more successful.

by JDesthubert on Jan 26, 2010 3:43 PM CST up reply actions

How many players would we have to put together just to total around 8 million in salary? (players that aren’t part of this teams future that is)

by Chris Winner on Jan 26, 2010 12:28 PM CST reply actions

Salaries are prorated, so a trade is financially possible. Wild have 1.3 mil in room due to PMB being on LTIR. Kovy has 2.5 left for the season. Looking right quick at CapGeek.com, Backstrom, Havlat, Johnsson, Butch, Burns, Schultz, and Zidlicky all have enough remaining that if they were traded would put the Wild just under the bar.

That would leave no room for call-ups for any further injury. Atlanta needs no d-men, at least not of the type the Wild have to offer. Butch is a non-starter. Backs and Havlat both have NTCs. So that leaves… yep, no one.

Hockey Wilderness

by BReynolds on Jan 26, 2010 12:40 PM CST up reply actions

That, and he is reportedly asking for 10 mil per year, which the Wild absolutely cannot afford next season.

Hockey Wilderness

by BReynolds on Jan 26, 2010 12:40 PM CST up reply actions

Ha ha ha

you caught me…when I started reading before the jump I thought to myself, “there is no way we are involved. But, maybe BReynolds has some good talking points to make me think that its possible.”

Well I got my answer….nice job!

"A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have"
Thomas Jefferson

by RileysCannibalJct on Jan 26, 2010 10:27 PM CST reply actions