New York Islanders Interesting Trade Proposal for Kovalchuk

The New York Islanders are in the mix for Kovalchuk simply due to geography. But what if the New Jersey Devils make the Isles an offer they simply can’t refuse.

Ilya Kovalchuk apparently wants to return to the NHL this season. And according to some sources, he wants to stay in the New York area, immediately linking him to the New York Islanders.

But as the New Jersey Devils control his NHL rights all roads start in Jersey for the Russian forward. A sign and trade deal is Kovalchuk’s way out of Jersey. Assuming that’s what he and the team wants.

Let’s not forget that Kovalchuk is a point per game player through his entire NHL career with 816 points in 816 games. Including six seasons where he scored 85 points or more. He’s no slouch in the KHL either. With 297 points in 299 games played since the 2012-13 season.

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What’s the Deal?

What if Devils GM Ray Shero calls Garth Snow and offers him the following trade proposal? Would you say yes? Or hang-up the phone?

It was a trade proposed by our friends over at Pitchforks and Pucks. I’m sure you’re just like me and you say: “What type of contract is he on?”

On the face of it, the deal sounds great. The Islanders lose a defender in Calvin de Haan, but it’s an acceptable loss considering the defensive depth the team has. And getting rid of Kulemin’s single year $4.1875 million deal is just fantastic.

If were using Alex Radulov as a precedent for Kovalchuk’s potential NHL deal, then at $5.75 million for a single year I’m in. And you are too I’d assume. Anything more than $6 million and I don’t answer the phone.

Next: Ladd and Boychuk Won't Be Asked to Waive No Trade

The issue with the trade is ‘when’. At this time it seems almost certain that de Haan is gone in the expansion draft. So will Thomas Hickey do instead? If that’s still acceptable is that too big of a defensive gap going into 2017-18, with both de Haan and Hickey gone?