qthomis said:
I was reading an article about Kovalchuk that stated he'll stay in Atlanta as long as the pieces are in place to make them a playoff contender. With players such as Bryan Little, Evander Kane and Zach Bogosian coming along Kovie might just stay. If he doesn't resign in Atlanta he'll be traded at the deadline, likely to a contending team and they'll have the first shot at signing him long term so there are a few obstacles in the way of Kovie signing with the Leafs. I would to see him in a Leafs uni tho.
That's usually something a player will say. He most likely is not going to say that he wants to bolt out of town with one year remaining on his deal.
As far as scoring prowess and excitement goes, Kovalchuk is the best UFA available in 2010. He gets ridden quite a bit because the media will say he is lazy and rightfully so at times. There is one thing know and that is he is one heck of an offensive player and that's what the Leafs need. I know that the Leafs were around 10th in scoring last season but they also allowed the most goals. The Leafs also lost Antropov (team leader in goals I believe at the time of his departure) and Kubina (14 goals as a defenceman).
They have stepped up the defence in my opinion and although they did lost Kubina, they did get Francois Beauchemin and if he is healthy then it will be a great addition. I was one who thought the Jeff Finger signing was absolutely brutal and although he missed the beginning of last season, it took hims some time to get into the swing of things and he looks like he's a pertty good player. Not a big Komisarek fan and he has been burned often so I hope he does ok.
I truly believe that the goals against will improve yet they will need scoring help big time. They have some tradeable defensive assets and that could help the lack of scoring punch that this team needs.
The poster who suggested that the Leafs have a captain from Ontario should seriously think about what players the Leafs have currently from Ontario.
I think that Luke Schenn is probably the most obvious choice to be captain but that is still a few years away. If Kaberle is not traded then he is the most logical choice. I think Beauchemin should be an assistant captain.
