Fansided

5 NHL teams who should trade for Ilya Kovalchuk

By Brad Berreman

MONTREAL, QC - FEBRUARY 2: Ilya Kovalchuk #17 of the Montreal Canadiens skates for position against the Columbus Blue Jackets in the NHL game at the Bell Centre on February 2, 2020 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Francois Lacasse/NHLI via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - FEBRUARY 2: Ilya Kovalchuk #17 of the Montreal Canadiens skates for position against the Columbus Blue Jackets in the NHL game at the Bell Centre on February 2, 2020 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Francois Lacasse/NHLI via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
Mandatory Credit: Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images /

4. Boston Bruins

Sportsnet reporter Eric Engels also reported the Bruins are watching Kovalchuk closely, as they intend to load up for a second straight run to the Stanley Cup Final. They were a team easy to point as a potential landing spot for Kovalchuk when his departure from the Kings loomed, but after early hesitation they’ve got him on their list of potential trade deadline targets.

"He’s not the only one, obviously. New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider is on their radar, and they’re also doing due diligence on San Jose Sharks icon Joe Thornton and, to a lesser extent, his teammate, Patrick Marleau. But after the Bruins weren’t convinced Kovalchuk could help them when his three-year, $18.75-million deal with the Los Angeles Kings was terminated in December, they’ve been very impressed with what he’s done in Montreal and they understand the value of adding a player who’s shown he can fill a top-six role if they suffer an injury to a key player between now and the end of the season. It only helps that he’s competed extremely hard at both ends of the rink and that the buzz about his leadership, his energy and his sheer passion for the game make it likely he would fit well with their group."

If the Bruins are doing due diligence on Thornton and Marleau, interest in Kovalchuk is natural and there’s a strong argument he’s a far better player than both of the San Jose Sharks’ future Hall of Fame forwards right now.

If the Canadiens want a second-round pick for Kovalchuk, as has been reported, the Bruins own one in each of the next three drafts. If they are indeed loading up for a Stanley Cup run — and why wouldn’t they be? — a second-round pick is a small price to pay.

Home/Montreal Canadiens