It’s that odd time between the NHL Entry Draft and the NHL Free Agency season. So, we thought we throw a few news items out for discussion.
This past weekend, the Los Angeles Kings dropped the hammer on a new contract with Ilya Kovalchuk who is 35 years of age and has iced for the Kontinental Hockey League.
The three-year deal is worth a reported $18.75 million; in his five seasons in the KHL he amassed 285 points on 120 goals in 262 games.
The expectation is that Kovalchuk can be counted on for 70 points on a team that struggled last season for points. The threat for LA is a mediocre year from Kovalchuk against a big cap hit.
But Kovalchuk balanced against Jeff Carter and Anze Kopitar may make the Kings a team deserving of some added respect.
The New York Islanders made a big splash last week with the signing of Barry Trotz, late of the Washington Capitals, as their new head coach. Doug Weight had been fired by new general manager Lou Lamoriello.
Trotz obviously is coming off the Stanley Cup win for the Caps and Lamoriello is looking for a little magic for the Isles.
But that magic needs to include the signing of unrestricted free agent John Tavares.
That may be a tall order as the Vegas Golden Knights are said to be making a push for the centerman’s service next year.
Pundits seem convinced that Tavares will remain an Islander for his entire career but the Golden Knights were a few simple plays away from a Stanley Cup and a talented Tavares at center would seemingly be the solution.
If not the Knights then look to the Toronto Maple Leafs as a strong possibility for his services.
The Montreal Canadiens made little noise in the draft but are expected to make significant changes through free agency. With Kovalchuk off the board, only Tavares’ decisions are left to make the rest of the NHL lurch forward on the player moves.
Max Pacioretty is moving out of Montreal but where is the question. The Habs need a center but there is little chance of Tavares making that his destination; he wants to win a Cup and the Canadiens are not close enough.
The real disappointment in the draft week was the Ottawa Senators doing nothing with Erik Karlsson. They shipped Mike Hoffman out to San Jose where the Sharks promptly freed up cap space by unloading Hoffman. Pro Hockey News’ Brian Jennings predicted Hoffman’s departure but perhaps not the second move.
July 1 will bring a few surprises but look for players to take this year’s free agency to get out of Dodge more than finding a a winning destination.
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