Thrashers ready to give Kovalchuk the hard sell
Other moves notwithstanding, Ilya Kovalchuk remains the only player on the Thrashers' roster most can identify. (AP photo)
In the past several weeks, the Thrashers have signed a free agent forward (Nik Antropov), traded for a top-four defenseman (Pavel Kubina) and drafted potential top scorer (Evander Kane). Whether they keep the only player that most people walking around the streets of Atlanta can actually identify is another matter.
Negotiations are expected to heat up this week between general manager Don Waddell and Ilya Kovalchuk’s agent, Jay Grossman. The two sides aren’t saying much publicly that they haven’t said before. Waddell sent me an email Monday, saying: “It’s our goal to sign Ilya to a long-term deal.” Grossman declined comment. (He’s known as a tough agent, but issuing negotiating rhetoric to the media isn’t his thing.)
Kovalchuk has a year left on his contract at $7.5 million. Theoretically, his new deal could pay him up to $11.2 million per season (20 percent of the NHL salary cap of $56 million). The bigger issue is term: The NHL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement has no cap on length of contract. For example, former Thrasher Marian Hossa just signed a 12-year deal with the Chicago Blackhawks (no doubt clinching the Cup for the Blackhawks in 13 years).
But the Thrashers’ negotiations with Kovalchuk will be different than those they had with Hossa. Kovlachuk seems to be looking for a reason to stay here. I’m not sure that ever was the case with Hossa, who wasn’t drafted by the team and never really adopted Atlanta as a home the way Kovalchuk has. Hossa also wanted a chance to win the Stanley Cup immediately (as shown by his ill-fated decision to leave Pittsburgh and sign a one-year deal with Detroit, which then lost to the Penguins in the finals).
Kovalchuk was the Thrashers’ team captain last season. He developed into more of a leader than Hossa ever was. That said, he wants to win. He wants to walk into the locker room when the Thrashers open training camp and think the franchise is at least moving in the direction of being a legitimate contender.
The belief is, it’s going to take far more than his own contract to get him to sign. He’s going to have to be convinced that ownership and Waddell are committed to building a winner — and that they’re capable of it. Neither has been the case so far. Waddell has been the architect from day one and built only one playoff team in nine seasons. Ownership is fractured, remains tied up in litigation, could be for sale at some point and is holding the line on overall payroll (the Thrashers’ projected team payroll of $42 to $45 million will be far below the cap).
If you’re Kovalchuk, there is no real advantage to signing now and passing up unrestricted free agency after the season, when potentially another franchise in far better shape could compete for his services, and probably pay just as much. For him to sign an extension now, he has to be swayed.
I’m not quite as pessimistic about Kovalchuk re-signing as I used to be. Part of the reason is, he helped recruit Antropov. It’s clear he’s being kept in the loop and the team is doing all they can to convince him to stay. But it’s sort of like the Wizard telling Dorothy, “Pay no attention to that franchise history behind the curtain. We’re going to do things right now!”
Re-signing Kovalchuk would be step one. But it’s only step one.
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74 comments Add your comment
Darkhorse
July 20th, 2009
11:37 pm
Nice summer Hossa-jabbing. Maybe a part of Kovy sees Hossa “chasing” the cup, coming within minutes of all its glory several gut-wrenching times, but still being no closer to having his name on it than Kovy. Now on to another chase with the ‘Hawks Hossa runs, and just maybe Kovy feels that trying to earn the cup and let it come to him makes more since and sanity. Not saying the Thrashers are Cup contenders anytime soon, but by Kovy wanting to accept the responsibility of leading this team, he and his teammates may have more success by accepting and playing within their roles and ablities. If he and the team trully have a “team” goal of fighting for the cup, as opposed to an individual goal, they should make some decent strides this year.
I can see him signing an extension over the next month or so, but I still have some doubt that what DW has done so far will be enough to convince him. Really, I think ownership will play a big role also, more likely in a negative manner.
muttonsourdough
July 21st, 2009
12:05 am
Shultzy, I commend you on a very fine article indeed. I dont usually read your blog (i usually only read the hockey stuff), but if what you write about hockey is like this, get crackin’ man!
In the words of Sgt. Yomana, “Very well put.” Well done, sir. I tip my hat to you for this one.
chitownbraves
July 21st, 2009
12:38 am
Sign kova are u crazy u had the pieces put together to be a force in the conference and an accident did happen but they were loaded,players like kova aren’t easy to come by and with a few more pieces and some young talent paying off early look out.
scottbravesfan
July 21st, 2009
12:39 am
Are their rumors of the Thrashers being sold or anyone in Atlanta wanting to buy the team?
I hope the Thrashers can sign Kovy to a 10 year deal but who knows this franchise just always lets you down.
chitownbraves
July 21st, 2009
12:50 am
sorry kovy,he is a high impact player that u must keep just bring in the right pieces.i thought they were on there way years ago and i know sh it happens and it was a devistating tragic accident god bless the players involved,as i send a prayer out to the thrasher family.But we will build again and a major signing look out they will be battling the blackhawks for years to come.
kracker
July 21st, 2009
8:20 am
I’ve read the column and a few comments… dropping down to leave a quick line before continuing. I’ve been looking for a 2-3 year contract for some time now. I’m not quite predicting it but that would certainly be my advice for Kovalchuk (not that they would ever ask or need it.) I love the guy and would really hate for him to sign long term only to see the team continue to flounder primarily due to a chronic under-funding by the current owners.
With league revenues looking to be a bit down the next season (That is the case, yes?), Kovy’s best course is the short deal. See if these owners can even continue to own the team, see if they (or new owners) can properly fund it, see if he has a playoff future in Atlanta.
Back to work…
kracker
July 21st, 2009
9:04 am
Oh, on the 2-3 yr deal: If necessary to get it done, the Thrash pay the premiums on a sizeable insurance policy that protects Kovalchuk against an unlikely but possible career ending injury. (For all I know, perhaps that is a standard part of the process in a team contracting with their star athelete.)
Paminski
July 21st, 2009
10:00 am
Blackhawks in 2022!
Adam
July 21st, 2009
10:28 am
I’m not certain that if Kovy doesn’t sign by opening night it’s a bad thing. Sure it would be nice but he’s no Hossa. Kovy has pride and won’t play not to get hurt waiting till the trade deadline to look for greener pastures. No he will play hard and try to win at every chance. If by the end of October to mid November he likes what he’s seeing he could lock himself up here “For Life” at that point. If were 10 and 7 with 20pts or better by November 15 the energy of the moment could be all it takes. He already wants to stay and winning early in the season would be the difference maker.
Thankfully we won’t see Philly till the end of Nov…
Buzilla in CT
July 21st, 2009
10:31 am
Dear Brian Posehn…writing under the pen name of Jeff Shultz
In case no one believes me check out this link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Posehn
I think Kovy and more importantly his agent would like to reach a deal this summer. If the current economic cloud continues, 20% of this years salary cap is going to look a lot better than 20% of next years cap if the NBA and MLB is any indication of where salaries are going. I am 60% sure he will sign before the start of the season.
kracker
July 21st, 2009
11:07 am
Very interesting in the John Anderson article in today’s paper, by Chris V, where Anderson said Kane would benefit more by playing a lower line + special teams where he can fit in for the Thrashers VS going back to juniors for the year and playing in the top 6, just like some of us were saying. He still has to earn the bottom six spot, of course. Anderson says Kane will be given every chance to stay with the Thrash this year, just like Bogo was given his shot. He did say Kane “was going to have to fill out a little bit”
Tony C.
July 21st, 2009
12:55 pm
“fill out a little bit” = “finish that 2nd cycle of deca that Ray Bear bought on vacation in Mexico”
I’d also like to see Armi juice it up this summer as well-I think he’d be way more effective with his game if wasn’t getting knocked on his can all the time.
And for all you guys who’re going to go all benihanna on me- I KID!!!! I JOKE!!!
But if you don’t think there’s a good 50 +/- guys in the AHL that’re finishing their first of two summer juice cycles, you’re a fool.
Key to re-sign #17 somebody else that can carry the mail O-ffensively if he goes down. I think that’s what he’s looking for-maybe just a little bit younger… Could Little be that guy? Could be-IDK, but something tells me Bryan Little does not make the other guys’ goalie have nightmares the night before the game. #17 makes people crap themselves when he comes over the boards.
Think back to the last game against BuffaBlow last season-when Hecht got that pass, looked up, saw that it was #17-made his shorts turn brown and coughed the puck up-#17 scores your OT winner.
The guy intimidates you with his skill, and since he became a dad, he really doesn’t put up with anybody’s tihs-ask McCabe.
I think he re-signs here, but only if he sees some more of the core “locked up”. With KL & Armi on 1-year deals and SlavaMatic up for another contract, who’s to say that Waddley isn’t preparing for the winter of discontent by clearing up a lot of cap space to go after UFAs if #17 leaves.
my $.02 while on lunch.
Avery
July 21st, 2009
1:15 pm
The handful of you who are suggesting the Thrashers are going to leave town are crazy. As the ASG repeatedly points out, there are numerous synergies to running both a hockey and basketball team.
For example, they get to recycle the exact same “Bird Screech” for both sporting events, as fans don’t know (nor care) what a hawk or a thrasher exactly sounds like. Especially after six $8 beers. This sound-effect related synergy has to save them at least $100 per season.
NIKALE1
July 21st, 2009
1:37 pm
I don’t know what to think about at this case. Kovalchuk is the one and the only player for this team. Somehow the have lost evrything for nothing trading Heatley for Hossa, Hossa for..nothing etc..
HOCKEY OBSERVER
Puck Headlines: Kovy wants Heatley; rating Richards to NYR | Newstion.com
July 21st, 2009
2:04 pm
[...] • Jeff Schultz of the AJC on Ilya Kovalchuk and the hard sell with the Atlanta Thrashers: "The belief is, it’s going to take far more than his own contract to get him to sign. He’s going to have to be convinced that ownership and Waddell are committed to building a winner." [AJC] [...]
Puck Headlines: Kovy wants Heatley; rating Richards to NYR | Lancilo USA
July 21st, 2009
4:18 pm
[...] • Jeff Schultz of the AJC on Ilya Kovalchuk and the hard sell with the Atlanta Thrashers: "The belief is, it’s going to take far more than his own contract to get him to sign. He’s going to have to be convinced that ownership and Waddell are committed to building a winner." [AJC] [...]
Puck Headlines: Kovy wants Heatley; rating Richards to NYR | ReadSports.com - Your primary source for all sporting news
July 21st, 2009
8:10 pm
[...] • Jeff Schultz of the AJC on Ilya Kovalchuk and the hard sell with the Atlanta Thrashers: "The belief is, it’s going to take far more than his own contract to get him to sign. He’s going to have to be convinced that ownership and Waddell are committed to building a winner." [AJC] [...]
Brendan
July 27th, 2009
11:40 am
Is this blog still active?
Pope Benedict
July 28th, 2009
11:30 am
Brendan, here is a better question: Is Waddell still the “GM for Life?”
Bill
July 30th, 2009
11:46 am
How about signing Kovy to a long-term deal with an opt-out clause after 2-3 seasons? Guarantee him the big money he wants, and if in a few seasons the Thrashers still can’t make the playoffs let him opt out and be a free agent. It seems to make sense for both sides…assuming the team can start winning!!
Will he stay or go? Kovalchuk’s future in Atlanta | Newstion.com
August 2nd, 2009
3:02 pm
[...] Atlanta Thrashers franchise. Their crown jewel is entering the final year of his contract and while negotiations are underway, there’s no predicting when a deal might be struck, if any. Kovalchuk has made it clear that [...]
Will he stay or go? Kovalchuk’s future in Atlanta | Lancilo USA
August 2nd, 2009
4:16 pm
[...] Atlanta Thrashers franchise. Their crown jewel is entering the final year of his contract and while negotiations are underway, there’s no predicting when a deal might be struck, if any. Kovalchuk has made it clear that [...]
Will he stay or go? Kovalchuk’s future in Atlanta | ReadSports.com - Your primary source for all sporting news
August 2nd, 2009
5:00 pm
[...] Atlanta Thrashers franchise. Their crown jewel is entering the final year of his contract and while negotiations are underway, there’s no predicting when a deal might be struck, if any. Kovalchuk has made it clear that [...]
lee
August 7th, 2009
4:00 pm
it seems like kovy is happy here. i mean he hasn’t said much, and i think he’s gonna give us one more chance to make the playoffs. if we done and he leaves, it’s not the end of the world, yes it’s a huge deal but, he isn’t the whole team. we need to keep a thought in our head saying, “we need to think about other things besides kovy,” for example: what if kovy does leave in the future?, well thats why we need to stop worrying and grab oursleves a safety net. there are a lot of great free agents out there and we need to think about getting one or two just in case kovy does leave. Then, we will hav some backup. we can’t sit on are tired butts and start crying about kovy. FOR PETE”S SAKE, KOVY HASN”T LEFT YET!!!. we need to do something about it. all of these huge kovy fans are crying and sobbing and begging for kovy to stay, well, if he leaves he leaves. but we aren’t gonna hav a team without a decent player. we need someone to replace kovy. even if kovy doesn’t leave, we will hav an even stronger team.