CBC-Sports

Is Kovalchuk worth the money? And please, give juniors respect

January 6, 2010 02:30 PM | Posted by   Mike Milbury  

My colleague Elliotte Friedman often comes up with a weekly list of 30 things to discuss. I don't know how he does it, but his brain is working overtime for the company.

Since I don't do overtime anymore, I can only come up with five topics that pushed my buttons this week.

Winter Classic: The game is still resonating here in Boston. The ice surface has been occupied every day and the town is abuzz over the events of the upcoming weekend. Boston College and Boston University play a game at Fenway after the Northeastern and Harvard women's teams have at it on Friday night. The park was sold out in less than a day for these events. New England Sports Network, which covers the Bruins, is broadcasting these games live with pre-, intermission and post-game shows.

Whatever anyone may think of the Classic and the quality of play on these outdoor sheets is irrelevant. This celebration of the sport is the best thing to be created in years. The first meaningful outdoor game played in Michigan has been the catalyst for the NHL and the league has done it right. Now please, Men of Manhattan don't screw this up. Multiple games, games in places like Dallas, etc., blow the concept apart. One game. One location. Celebrate the sports roots and passion.

Chicago Blackhawks: I thought Washington was fun to watch but these guys are beginning to look unbeatable unless the injury factor comes into play. They are fast, deep and well-coached. Even their goaltending issues seem to have faded. And what is very scary is that they get it defensively - a tribute to Joel Quennville. If San Jose is to break its hold on futility, they will have to get by the Hawks. Welcome back, Chicago. You were gone too long.

Toronto Maple Leafs: OK, OK. They can't seem to start their engines until they give up two goals to their opponents. But give them this: they do not quit. The road to the playoffs will be slippery for this bunch given their horrendous start, but I do marvel at their tenacity. As a fan and a former player and coach, you can only ask that a team give its best effort. Not too many nights will the Leafs let you down in this regard. They just have a lot of holes to fill.

Ilya Kovalchuk: Gifted indeed. Is he worth the dough? Maybe. Probably not. Definitely not. Most definitely not. That's my answer and I am sticking with it. Atlanta has made the playoffs once while Kovalchuk has been with the team. He gets his goals and what else? He backchecks occasionally? Oh, thank you. Reports are that Kovalchuk has been offered about $10 million US per season for about the rest of his playing life and he still can't accept. OK ... fair enough. He likes Atlanta but not the Thrashers’ chances of success and he has the right to go free agent. No problem, but can't he give some relief to the franchise that has been more than fair to him for about a decade?

How about this, Jay Grossman. You're gonna get your agent fee anyway whether he signs in the NHL or the KHL so why don't you and your client man up? Meet with Don Waddell and tell him thanks for the memories but you’re on your way out of town. Give the GM, who has been more than fair to you and your client, a list of teams you would be willing to go to. Let him make a deal contingent on your completing a contract with whatever sucker thinks Kovy will turn the franchise around. Too much to ask? Apparently. These are the negotiations that make your stomach turn. Kovy is no Crosby. Kovy is more Kovalev.

U.S. Junior Team: Hail to the champs who did it well in Saskatoon. Memo to the Canadian Junior Team: Congrats to you on an outstanding tournament. And if any hockey-centric citizen of Canada wants to know why you didn't bring home gold, please tell him to get a life. And pass it on. The over-hyped tournament made for the cable networks and sold ad nauseam in Canada has become a farce to me. There are only three or four teams with a snowball's chance of winning but the pressure for the Canadian kids to win has become ridiculous. Talk about headshots! The disappointment these kids are feeling because of the entitled expectations of Canadian hockey fans is as brutal as any elbow.

How about some perspective, people?

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