| 06 July 2009
With all of the excrement that's been thrown Dany Heatley's way, some fans even went the extra mile by saying that they'd rather see the return of Alexei Yashin than see Heatley return to Ottawa for Training Camp. While Yashin won't be donning a Sens jersey any time soon, Bryan Murray has brought in another enigmatic Russian.
That's right, according to TSN, the Senators have signed the 36 year old Alexei Kovalev to a 2-year, $10M deal.
Did Bryan Murray overpay? Absolutely. With the money handed out to Neil and Kovalev, the Senators have paid a combined $7M for two guys who are arguably quite replaceable. Could the money have been better spent on one superstar or two $3.5M players? Quite possibly, but allow me to break this down.
Normally, I'd praise the Kovalev signing because it'd signify the first significant secondary scoring that the team has had since Martin Havlat was dealt away. In Kovalev, we know exactly what we're getting in return for the money -- 30 goals and 60+ points -- and at the end of the day, the team is better with him than they are without him. However, the Kovalev deal is emblematic of everything that pundits have criticized the team for in the past -- he's soft, inconsistent but highly skilled.
It also doesn't help matters that Dany Heatley is on the short bus out of town. As fans are counting down the days until his departure, we'll have to curb our enthusiasm for this deal until the return for Heatley is known.
As is, here are the reasons why we can embrace the deal at this time:
1) We no longer have to see the word retain associated to UFA Mike Comrie.
2) Provided Heatley is dealt, Kovalev can easily assume Heatley's spot at the right faceoff circle on the power play.
3) 16,000 Canadiens fans can hold another rally to rub each other's clitori. First Komisarek, now Kovalev, and possibly Koivu. Montreal's the East's version of Edmonton. I love it.
4) The signing represents the first major UFA signing since Pat Elynuik signed in '94.
5) Kovalev's not represented by JP Barry.
6) Bryan Murray has some more leverage in any Dany Heatley trade negotiations. The team is no longer compelled to take a Fatty Penner kind of player back in return.
7) The signing might mean that the Senators can afford to salary dump Heatley in exchange for prospects. There won't be as big of an onus on Murray to replace Heater's production. Any subsequent deal for prospects can be viewed as, Kovalev + prospects for Heatley.
8) Kovalev's creative and dynamic. I had almost forgotten what it was like to watch a first line right winger whose skillset isn't limited to a one-timer.
9) As a 36 year old enigma, the Ottawa Sun now has a new player to write out of town. Brace yourself for the inevitable Brennan rip, followed by Kovalev giving the media the cold shoulder and using a Sammy Sosa'esque "Me English no so good" technique.
10) Without the luxury of having played each other in the playoffs, this move will help crank up the animosity between Habs fans and Sens fans.
11) According to TSN, He (Kovalev) can look spectacular one night, controlling the play, while completely disappearing for long stretches at a time. Conversely, Dany Heatley never dominates games. The difference between a good game and a bad game for Heater is 1 or 2 goals.
12) Despite the salary, with his short term deal, Kovalev can be parlayed as trade bait if the Senators fall out of contention.
13) Last season, when Kovalev was told to get away from the team and clear his head, he came back and produced well. After meeting with Clouston and management at the end of the year, Dany Heatley was told to go to the World Championship's and clear his head. He came back from the World's and requested a trade.
14) It's guaranteed that Kovalev plays in the Olympics. Sorry Dany.
15) Kovalev will have the luxury of playing with a great playmaking center in Spezza. If he can approach 80-points, he'll have been a good investment.
16) Prior to his signing, if Heatley was dealt, it was guaranteed that Ottawa would have been an average to mediocre club. Now, regardless of a Heatley trade, with Kovalev in tow, the Sens should simply be okay.
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