Pretty sure its a joke and him saying its ridiculous to think the Leafs will sign Kovy.

It’s never going to happen, so we should forget about it, and start thinking about more practical trades & signings that can go down at the point.

I was coming the current roster to the one that ended the season. They aren’t radically different yet. We do need players to play better (or at least more consistantly) than last season (Komi, Dion, JFM, get rid of Kessels streakiness, solid goaltending). I liked what I saw be the end of the season, but I think they’re borderline 8th spot at the moment. Baby steps I suppose.

Or short of Kovy realizing that nobody is going to offer what he wants, and jacking his price down a ways. At that point we would become one of many teams who could aford him, and the circus could start up all over.

He already turned down one 10/10 from Atl, maybe he will again for the Isle. And maybe after that Mitchel will discover a franchise player scoring touch. Ya don’t want to go hanging your hat on every possibility just because it isn’t 110% impossible.

I have two thoughts on Kovy: he either wants the money, or the win. Or both (okay 3).

For the money, the Isles are offering a rumored 10yr/100mil. The Thrashers offered more. It’s very likely the best tabled offer thus far. If it’s about money, those kinds of teams will pay the most for his services.

For the win, the Kings have made strides in the last few years, and have a full pipeline of young talent looking to make waves this year, along with a decent roster. They are a couple moves from greatness, Kovy being one. The Devils are perrenial contenders. These would be his best options, because they are in a position to afford a player of his caliber, at a reasonable and realistic price and term. Philly, Boston, Chicago, Pittsburg, Vancouver, Washington…..all would need to make room for him, making a signing difficult without moving the pieces first, and trying to move pieces in a hurry afterwards guarantees you the short end of the stick.

The Leafs were 29th last year, and only added Versteeg and Armstrong to the current roster since then, while losing Stalberg. Doesn’t scream “heavy improvement”, so the win factor is out, at least for this year. While the Buds are the richest team in the league, our GM won’t sign a term longer than 5 years, a self-imposed cap. So much for the money factor.

I think Burke knows exactly who Jay Grossman is, he’s just tamping the flames of the fans who desparately want Kovy here. I guess the greatest question Burke should ask himself is “Is Kovalchuk a generational talent?” I’d wager that offensively he is, but not defensively. That said, I feel he’s worth pursuing, but on the terms that you are prepared to meet him at, and not beyond, and clearly he has gone beyond Burke territory.

It’s not the end of the world. See 1967ers posts about former great Leaf teams. No scoring leaders, no standout superstars, but a lunch-pail brigade that all contributed and played hard every night, making opposing teams pay a physical price, win or lose. Burkie seems to be channeling Punch Imlach and Conn Smythe.

At this point, I believe Burke when he says he’s not interested. I’m actually kind of upset that Kovy had yet to sign anywhere. I wish he would just get it over with, so we could move on to the next best thing in regards to a top-six forward for the leafs.