Could Kovalev be a Good Fit for the Penguins?

*Feb 24th, 2011:  The Penguins have just picked up Alexei Kovalev for a 7th round draft pick.  The big question now is whether Craig Adams will give up his number so we can bring back the AK27.

There is a lot of talk right now about the Pens having interest in obtaining the services of Alexei Kovalev.  Many sources report this as a possibility.  Most people, who comment on the possibility, seem to think that it would not necessarily be a good thing.  They say he is past his prime and his numbers are not good.  This is true.  I would like to take the other side of the argument and propose it would be a good thing to do.

I must admit right of the bat that I am a huge fan off Alexei Kovalev.  I was very excited when the Pens acquired his services during the 98-99 season.  In my opinion, he was one of most exciting guys to watch play.  He has a remarkable ability to stickhandle and an equally impressive shot.  During his time in Pittsburgh, he put up some very good numbers.  He had 149 goals and 347 points in 345 games during his time in Pittsburgh.

Admittedly, he is past his prime and his production has slipped.  This year he has 14 goals and 27 points in 53 games.  He has certainly fallen out of favor in Ottawa.  I wonder if part of the reason for his drop in performance might be the environment in Ottawa.  Just over a season and half ago, his last Montreal, he had 26 goals and 65 points.  Maybe a change of scenery would lift his game.

Kovalev has been a bit of an enigma.  He seems to have all of the talent in the world, but it is not necessarily reflected in the score sheet.  I think (hope) that if he were to come to Pittsburgh, he could find that certain inspiration that allows him to lift his game to a higher level.  If you look at his career statistics, he consistently put up good numbers while playing for the Penguins.  It just seems like a good fit.  The positive influence of the Pittsburgh coaching staff and the overall style of hockey that the Pens play would allow Kovalev to prosper.  I am not suggesting he would match the output he had when he was with Pittsburgh.  I am saying he will be a better player in Pittsburgh than he has show over the last year and a half.  I feel he can help this team.

— Regular Season —  —- Playoffs —-

Season   Team                        Lge    GP    G    A  Pts  PIM  GP   G   A Pts PIM

————————————————————————————–

1989-90  Moscow Dynamo             Russi   1    0    0    0    0

1990-91  Moscow Dynamo             Russi  18    1    2    3    4

1991-92  Moscow Dynamo              Russi  26   16    8   24   16

1992-93  Binghamton Rangers       AHL    13   13   11   24   35   9   3   5   8  14

1992-93  New York Rangers            NHL    65   20   18   38   79  —  —  —  —  —

1993-94  New York Rangers            NHL    76   23   33   56  154  23   9  12  21  18

1994-95  New York Rangers            NHL    48   13   15   28   30  10   4   7  11  10

1994-95  Tolyatti Lada                    Russi  12    8    8   16   49  —  —  —  —  —

1995-96  New York Rangers            NHL    81   24   34   58   98  11   3   4   7  14

1996-97  New York Rangers            NHL    45   13   22   35   42  —  —  —  —  —

1997-98  New York Rangers            NHL    73   23   30   53   44  —  —  —  —  —

1998-99  New York Rangers            NHL    14    3    4    7   12  —  —  —  —  —

1998-99  Pittsburgh Penguins         NHL    63   20   26   46   37  10   5   7  12  14

1999-00  Pittsburgh Penguins         NHL    82   26   40   66   94  11   1   5   6  10

2000-01  Pittsburgh Penguins         NHL    79   44   51   95   96  18   5   5  10  16

2001-02  Pittsburgh Penguins         NHL    67   32   44   76   80  —  —  —  —  —

2002-03  Pittsburgh Penguins         NHL    54   27   37   64   50  —  —  —  —  —

2002-03  New York Rangers            NHL    24   10    3   13   20  —  —  —  —  —

2003-04  New York Rangers            NHL    66   13   29   42   54  —  —  —  —  —

2003-04  Montreal Canadiens         NHL    12    1    2    3   12  11   6   4  10   8

2004-05  Kazan Ak-Bars                 Russi  35   10   13   23   80   4   0   0   0   8

2005-06  Montreal Canadiens         NHL    69   23   42   65   76   6   4   3   7   4

2006-07  Montreal Canadiens         NHL    73   18   29   47   78  —  —  —  —  —

2007-08  Montreal Canadiens         NHL    82   35   49   84   70  12   5   6  11   8

2008-09  Montreal Canadiens         NHL    78   26   39   65   74   4   2   1   3   2

2009-10  Ottawa Senators               NHL    77   18   31   49   54  —  —  —  —  —

2010-11  Ottawa Senators               NHL    53   14   13   27   26

————————————————————————————–

NHL Totals                                           1281  426  591 1017 1280 116  44  54  98 104

From what I am hearing, the Senators would be willing to part with Kovalev for a fourth or maybe fifth round draft choice.  Unlike many of the other players we hear rumored to be possible acquisitions, we don’t have to give up much to get Kovi.  It would be a bit of a gamble, but I would be willing to role the dice.

Billy Guerin turned out to be a pretty good gamble and he was a year older than Kovalev when we got him.  Just something to think about.