Gaborik for Kovalchuk?

[WildCountry]

NHL - Sports Rumors Mon Dec 22, 2008 10:03 am EST

Wild, Thrashers talking deal for Gaborik, Kovalchuk?A Thrashers-Wild blockbuster could be in the works, according to the Toronto Sun.

Denials will come from Atlant Thrashers GM Don Waddell and Minnesota Wild counterpart Doug Risebrough (they always do), but the whisper around the NHL is that those teams have been discussing a huge deal involving superstar forwards Marian Gaborik and Ilya Kovalchuk.

Risebrough has been shopping Gaborik all season, but it has been tough to find a taker because of his injury history. The talk is the Thrashers might have an interest if they can get Gaborik signed to a long-term contract, but the asking price would be high.

There's a belief the sides have been talking about sending Gaborik and Kim Johnsson to the Thrashers in exchange for Kovalchuk and Colby Armstrong.

It's believed Waddell was in L.A. last week to see the Wild play the Kings and Ducks.

Source: Toronto Sun

[Roofer]

Too good to be true.

Hope it is though. I would start watching the wild again, even though they have played real tough lately.

[Skeets]

Kovalchuk can score lots of goals, but his +/- score is horrible.

You guys think Atlanta will really give Gabby the money he wants?

[maros91]

I heard it was Gabby and Kim Johnnson for Kovalchuk and Colby Armstrong. I also think it is to good to be true but it is the Thrashers so we will see.

[HaveBaitWillFish]

That would be a great deal if the Wild can pull it off. Kovalchuk would love to play infront of 18,000 fans instead of 4,000 fans and would be a huge star here.

[walleyes12]

if its true, pull the trigger!!!

[KMR85]

great! i was telling people at thanksgiving that we should try to trade gaborik for kovalchuck. it would be nice for ilya to play somewhere that hockey is actually liked. it would also be nice to watch gaborik waste the rest of his career in atlanta. please let this trade happen.

[cjac]

Gaborik is selling himself well tonight for his Eastern Conference desire, he's driving the offense and involved in all offensive-end pressure. He dominated the 2nd period.

A deal like that....make it happen! Johnnson is somewhat overrated in my opinion, put Kovalchuck out with Koivu along with a physical/net banging player like Brunette and I'd be very interested, although I wonder how Jacques would handle a totally one-way offensive minded player. Plus, they could work Reitz back into the defensive corps.......

Three goals in one period (especially when behind), what's the last time that happened?

[walleyes12]

Gaborik and Koivu together on the same line looked awesome!! finally some offensive production!

[NAPAFISH]

Don Waddell is a moron if he makes this trade.

Hopefully he is dumb enough to do it.

[archerystud]

They need to do something about the offense. This team is becoming abysmal to watch.

I was excited by their start but I believe that we are now seeing what most people expected.

[Hockey Guy]

Thank you Acherystud!! Finally someone posted fact over fiction. Going into this season no one perdicted or expected the Wild to be a good team. In fact, one of the hockey magazines (I think The Hockey News but I'm not sure), picked the Wild to finish 14th in the West. If you look at the players they lost and the players they picked up, they're not even close to as good as last years team. They have no size anymore for physical play, no horses to put in front of the net (including that no-talent clown Boogard), they only have three or four guys that can score, and Zidlicky is a turnover specialist. If I have to hear people call Boogard a "hockey player" too many more times, I think I'll puke. The guy’s big... end of story. He doesn't have enough talent to make it in my over forty men's league.

They are playing up to their expectations right now. The way I see it, there are two main problems with this team. The biggest problem is that they over pay a few players that either don't produce or don't even play at all. Gabby, Nolan, and Bergeron (sp) are all out and they take up about 30 percent of the teams cap money. The best teams in the league are the teams that have good YOUNG players with manageable salaries mixed in with one or two veterans.

The second problem is that they have the wrong coach. Lemaire is too good of a coach. He has a unique ability to make players play better than they are. Then he get's those players to believe in his system. As long as they have Lemaire they will never finish in the bottom of the league, so they will never get good draft picks. It's the same situation the Vikings are in. They're always going to be a mediocre team. Either just making or just missing the playoffs. When they do make the playoffs, they're toast, and they don't even get a good draft pick for their effort.

[maros91]

Zidlicky is a turnover specialist. If I have to hear people call Boogard a "hockey player" too many more times, I think I'll puke.

Gabby, Nolan, and Bergeron (sp) are all out and they take up about 30 percent of the teams cap money.

Agree with Zidlicky. Although, he has a good shot and is very good on the PP.

Boogaard is an enforcer and that is it. He does have a role on the team and by the way he leads the team in +/-

Gabby($7.5), Nolan($2.75), and Bergeron($1.69) only account for 21% of the teams $56.7 million dollar cap. I don't think we have gotten [PoorWordUsage] from Johnsson($5.25) or PMB($3.35)for what the money they are making.

Jacque system has worked before the new NHL. It is time to move on.

[maros91]

The best teams in the league are the teams that have good YOUNG players with manageable salaries mixed in with one or two veterans.

The Red Wings are by no means young. There average age is 31 and they won the cup last year. Chelios is still playing at 46!

[Hockey Guy]

Boogaard leads the team in +/- because Lemaire only put him out there for offensive zone face-offs. They also only use him when the other team has a lead, so the other team isn't pressing the offensive side as much. You will never see him out there when the Wild has a lead. Then again... you may never see the Wild with a lead this year.

Detroit is the best team for scouting out players in the NHL without a doubt. The reason they have a high average age is because of Chelios and Lidstrom. Let's see how many guys are better than Nolan and making less money in the Detroit line-up:

Franzen = $942,000 (Just over 1/3 of Nolan's salary and maybe 10 times the skill level)

Cleary = $2.8 (Ok, a little over but 10 times the player)

Zetterberg = $2.65 (Are you kidding me? Maybe 100 times better than Nolan)

Holmstrom = $2.25 (This guys is the best in the league in front of the net)

Draper = $1.5

Samuaelsson = $1.2

Hudler = $1.02

Maltby = $883,000

All these guys are better than Nolan!

Beside, when I say the best teams I'm referring to San Jose, Boston, Pitt, Washington. All have young players.

What I want is the New England Patriots on ice. A really good veteran (Tom Brady) to lead them, like a Joe Thornton. A couple of other above average players that you don't have to break the bank on, and everyone else is just a little above average but all good players.

[archerystud]

I think Detroit will comeback down to earth soon as quite a few of those guys will bold but I agree with hockeyguys assessment.

Nolan was a desperation patch when DR didn't get what he wanted. They also have spent way too much on defensemen. I didn't mind them picking up Zidlicky or Bergeron but not BOTH!! They also need to reload down in the minors in my opinion.

They have a foundation to start with but they need to add some key cogs. I didn't realize the Wild had paid that much for Nolan.

[maros91]

I agree with both. Nolan was a reach when the team couldn't sign Hossa or Huselius. Your're right the Wild need that big veteran presence they can build around. They wanted Gabby to be it but injuries and a lack of leadership turned the franchise guy into trade bait. Mikko could be that guy. He has progressed every year and is a team leader.

As for Nolan being overpaid. I don't know. It's all about the system you play in. Those guys for the Wings have a cheap price tag but they play in a puck control offense and not a dump and chase like the Wild. The Wild are a defensive team and that is not working. Scoring 1 to 2 goals a game will not get it done.