Just Another Useless Hockey Opinion

17 = 666

A Devil...a DEVIL...clearly this was the "wild card team" that some reports had him going to. I read a great article this morning on TSN written by Bob McKenzie. (http://www.tsn.ca/columnists/?id=309019) He argues that Waddell did everything in his power to get the best return for Kovalchuk. He says people are crazy if they think he would've fetched Cam Barker, Patrick Sharp, or Kris Versteeg in a trade. He goes on to say that Waddell played his cards right. As soon as he had the Devils offer he went public saying he was open to trading Kovy, in order to flush out some last minute bids for him. He goes on to say Waddell received what he was asking for. He wanted a top 6 forward (Bergfors has the potential), a top 4 d-man (Oduya has the minutes to suggest he's a #4 d-man), a prospect (Patrice Cormier), and a 1st round pick. True.

I respect Bob McKenzie and most of the NHL writers at TSN...but I whole heartedly disagree. Let's breakdown this trade.

NJ Acquires: Ilya Kovalchuk (F), Anssi Salmela (D)
ATL Acquires: Niclas Bergfors (F), Johnny Oduya (D), Patrice Cormier (F), NJ 2010 1st Rd pick
*Also the two teams will swap 2nd round picks

Let's look at this deal from the side of Atlanta first.

Alright so obviously Waddell wasn't going to get everything he desired out of a rental player. I highly doubt Kovalchuk will re-sign with NJ. I just don't see it happening. I don't think Lou will offer him more than what Waddell did (101 million over 12 years). But what did Waddell bring in?

Bergfors...a solid young forward. He started the year out hot, but has tailed off. You can attribute that to the fact that he's a rookie and is still adjusting to the NHL. He has a scoring touch and could end the year with 20 goals (has 13 right now). That's a very solid rookie season. If Bergfors can follow it up the next two years with 25+ goal seasons, then it was a very solid pickup for the Thrashers.

Johnny Oduya is a middle of the road puck moving defenseman. I'll be honest I don't know that much about him...don't watch the Devils that much. Matt may have more insight on some of these Devil players than I do. But from what I read he's a "safe" return. He won't make mistakes, but by no means is a game changer. He's a #4 or #5 d-man.

Patrice Cormier. Many know him has the guy who threw one of the most heinous elbows is hockey history. He was recently suspended for the rest of the year in Juniors. Sadly this was the not the first time Cormier had been suspended for throwing an elbow. This kid is just a dirty player. IF he every makes it to the NHL he's not projected to be more than a 3rd or 4th line player. So as far as bringing in a good prospect...Waddell fails here. What a waste. He would've been better off asking for a 3rd round pick (or not swapping 2nds). Maybe the Devils asked him to take Cormier off their hands because of the embarrassment...who knows.

1st round pick. Ok so Waddell gets his 1st round pick, but here's the thing...it's going to be a very late 1st rounder. Essentially it's the same as having an extremely high 2nd. What makes it worse is that the two teams swapped their 2nd round picks. So let's say the Thrashers tank...and the Devils win the cup. The Devils essentially give up maybe...10-13 spots? That's not THAT huge.

Waddell didn't really receive much in return. This is the second time he's barely gotten anything for a superstar player. He traded Hossa to Pitt for depth players. Waddell needed to try and get the best value for Kovalchuk...maybe he did? This is where I think Waddell failed...he did not allow teams to talk to Kovalchuk's agent. In my opinion it was his thought process that if he didn't allow teams to talk to his agent it allowed Waddell to pick from more than just one team. It wouldn't handcuff him when he went to trade Kovy. However, it hurt him because it limited what he could bring back in return. If a team knows they're not just getting a rental player they'll be more willing to give up more in the trade. Waddell needed this trade to be a homerun because let's face it...he's getting rid of one of the most dynamic offensive players in the league...and he failed.

From the Devils Prospective

They're making a run at the Cup. Who knows how much longer Brodeur will be playing. After this year...another year...maybe 2? They know that with him playing as well as he is this year, they'd better make their run now. I respect that...and instantly they become the favourite in the East. They have the goalie and the defensive system to get them deep in the playoffs. Now they have the clutch player to score them that "big" goal when it counts. And what did they give up? It's not going to hurt them in the long run. A couple of mid-level players to bring in a superstar. Good for them.

Winners: The Devils

As a side note...the Thrashers a few years ago had a great young team. They were primed for offensive glory. The problem...the inability to re-sign their players. I say get that team out of Atlanta hockey has no business being. Re-locate to Winnepeg, Quebec, some CANADIAN city where hockey is beloved. You can see it just on the sports website. You log-onto tsn.ca and their front page is all about the Kovy trade. You log onto ESPN.com you're lucky to find even a headline about it.

-Brett