Ilya Kovalchuk and the Devils visit the Flyers tonight at 8.
Devils’ deal means the future is now
Fast start
A look at Kovalchuk’s first two games:
Devils 4, Leafs 3
The winger had two assists, including on a game-tying power play goal on Friday. He said he felt right at home at the Rock.
Travis Zajac, who tied the game at 3
“They have to play Kovalchuk just because of his shot, and be aware of him, so it kind of opened up a lane for me there to get a good shot away. He’s a game-changer even when he doesn’t have the puck.”
Rangers 3, Devils 1
Recorded a team-high eight shots in Saturday’s loss.
Lou Lamoriello dropped a bombshell on the NHL on Thursday night when he traded prospects and the Devils’ 2010 first- and second-round picks to Atlanta for Ilya Kovalchuk.
Lamoriello also dropped a hint: There’s no time like the present.
Both Lamoriello and Kovalchuk have passed on discussing whether the left wing is going to be a hired gun or part of the organization’s future. There has been speculation that Kovalchuk is looking for Alex Ovechkin-level contract or he will play in the KHL next season.
His new teammates are not concerned with his long-term prospects, though, not when their short-term outlook could include a Stanley Cup parade in Newark this June. Even with Saturday’s loss to the Rangers, the Devils are 36-19-2. Their 74 points lead the Atlantic Division.
“We’re happy to have him in our lineup,” goalie Martin Brodeur said. “It definitely sends a big message to our hockey club. Let go some young players, future draft picks, stuff like that for what might be a [rental], who knows what’s going to happen?”
Hopefully more scoring, as Kovalchuk instantly became the team leader in goals (31) and points (60).
“It’s huge. I think he’s a guy who can change a game, a player who can make other players score,” said coach Jacques Lemaire. “There’s no doubt that he can make this team better.”
And the Devils can make Kovalchuk better. During his eight years in Atlanta, Kovalchuk skated with great players such as Dany Heatley, Marc Savard and Marian Hossa. He never had a top-tier goaltender, though, which is why he has just one playoff appearance.
Now, he shares a room with Brodeur and becomes one of the odds-on Cup favorites. It is tough to do better than that.
“It’s great. I tried to score against him [Friday], but he didn’t give me [anything],” Kovalchuk joked.
Defensive liability?
For as good as Ilya Kovalchuk is with the puck, he may be just as weak defending on the other end of the ice.
Coach Jacques Lemaire, though, said all his new winger needs to do is make an effort defensively and Martin Brodeur will do the rest.
