Monday, October 19, 2009

He'll Be Dispensing for Many Years to Come

Most of you, I'm sure, already know about this (such is the Internet Age) but hey let's post it, because why not, etc.

Kevin Allen at USA Today:

Although Ilya Kovalchuk's contract rightfully receives most of the media attention, the Atlanta Thrashers are close to completing negotiations to extend the contract of another essential forward.

The Pevs Dispenser, that is. HOORAY! Seriously, this is great news. As you all know.

9 comments:

h said...

That IS great news. Armstrong needs to be next.......after his highness of course. Then you're left with Kubina and Kozy decisions as only somewhat major ones left of the UFAs....and those decisions don't have to be made right away. I like the idea of locking Kubina up for a couple more years. Even though we have some guys in waiting, you can always make a trade. I like Kozy too, but for less money

GoPuckYourself said...

AWESOME!

Razor Catch Prey said...

H- I agree with resigning Slava for a little less money. I'd even sign him to a one year contract for the same money then re-evaluate at the end of next season.

I wouldn't rush to re-sign either Slava or Kubina. Just wait until March or April to see how they've done down the stretch of an 82 game season this year. We're 4-1. Everybody has looked good at this point. Let's make sure guys are going to keep looking good before we start throwing money and obligations around.

Peverly is a different story, of course. He is young and has consistently produced since coming to Atlanta. It was important to see how he reacted to being relegated to the 3rd line, and he's obviously responded by putting the biscuit in the basket at every opportunity as well as playing solidly on defense and in the faceoff circle. By all means, lock the man up to a four year deal right now!

I laughed at the notion of Kovy playing in the KHL earlier this year. The fact that DW and the Czar are both mentioning it now (or they're both responding to questions about it, which may be more the case) has me a little more worried. Kovy said "It's a great league. We'll see." That sends shivers down my spine. DW admits we can't possibly compete with the money the KHL would throw at the Czar. Even if we had unlimited funds to give him, the CBA won't let us spend what the Russians would offer. Our only hope in competing with the KHL is that Kovy wants to keep his family in Atlanta and he sees the NHL as the pinnacle of hockey excellence in the world. Thank Jebus the Ruskies don't have the Stanley Cup to award.

Mortimer Peacock said...

I'm all for locking up Kubina (Hyper-Kube? Kubla Khan?) for another 2 years.

the jointhead said...

Kitten-Kubina thank you very much.

Speaker of Truth said...

Kovy also had this to say when speaking with Demitry Chesnokov of yahoo.com sports:

"Kovalchuk on rumors re KHL: "Never say never. We'll see. But I have not had any offers from there. So, all those [SKA] rumors are wrong."

And this which makes me feel much better about the prospect of him re-signing:

Kovalchuk: "I like everything in Atlanta. The way we're playing, we have a good future. My agent speaks with Don. I concentrate on hockey."

It's all about performance now. The deal is done; it just needs his signature. But it won't happen unless this team is in position as of mid to late December. Simple as that...and it's not as though Kovy isn't trying his damndest to make that happen.

h said...

Winning cures everything.

Razor Catch Prey said...

H- if winning cures everything, how many more wins will it take before I lose 20 pounds and get better looking?

h said...

that depends on how many goals you score...........