Team Canada invitees

[QandA 0]

I think that the same thing has been repeated over and over. Kovalev is obviously a wicked skilled guy BUT, he doens't produce, he doesn't have the desire, and he doesn't put his talents to good use. He is skilled no doubt, but he doesn't seem to use his skills at the right time, and just seems to lack that drive too win.

[Eazy_b97 1]

Here's some links :

http://www.angelfire.com/ca/mirosatan2/kovalev.html

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports_headlin...990120pens4.asp

http://www.freep.com/sports/thepuck/pbest27_20030227.htm

http://www.nhl.com/columns/wigge/kovalev012803.html

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/star...-02-kovalev.htm

http://www.winnipegsun.com/Slam030129/col_simmons-sun.html

You want more?

You're completely missing the point. He does these "highlight" moves and produces, but when he does its a surprise. Everyone knows he is capable, but he doesn't always put it together. It's expected from the top NHLers, where Kovalev you're hoping he does it. Mogilny was the same way, everyone knew he could dangle and had good speed, but it was a question of whether he would. Guys like Kovalchuk, Lecavalier, Heatley, Naslund. They know their talents, and they use them. I mentioned Kovalchuk uses his stickhandling, but uses his speed as an aid for it, Heatley and Vinny are much the same. Naslund has a great shot, much like Hull, so they goto areas which can be minipulated. These guys realize their limits, realize their special abilities and get in positions to make them happen. That's why you read about Kovalev's abilities, he only shows them when other teams allow him to, he cannot create his own, not on a regular basis at least.

He is a great player, with a ton of skill, but I wouldn't put him up as the "most skilled" in the NHL. They used to say the same about Mogilny, especially when he came to Toronto. It's just not true, they are unbelievably skilled, but they do fancy junk, which clicks to make highlights. They don't make their oppurtunities, not to the degree the most talented players in the NHL do. Ice vision and hockey smarts are raw talent, and they make or break players.

Kovalev is an incredible hockey player, one who can compliment a team very well, but he isn't the goto guy.

[J-Shera 0]

Kovy all your doing is making Kovalev look like he's the best practice player around, sure he can dangle, but hands dont count for everything.

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

Here's some links :

http://www.angelfire.com/ca/mirosatan2/kovalev.html

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports_headlin...990120pens4.asp

http://www.freep.com/sports/thepuck/pbest27_20030227.htm

http://www.nhl.com/columns/wigge/kovalev012803.html

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/star...-02-kovalev.htm

http://www.winnipegsun.com/Slam030129/col_simmons-sun.html

You want more?

You're completely missing the point. He does these "highlight" moves and produces, but when he does its a surprise. Everyone knows he is capable, but he doesn't always put it together. It's expected from the top NHLers, where Kovalev you're hoping he does it. Mogilny was the same way, everyone knew he could dangle and had good speed, but it was a question of whether he would. Guys like Kovalchuk, Lecavalier, Heatley, Naslund. They know their talents, and they use them. I mentioned Kovalchuk uses his stickhandling, but uses his speed as an aid for it, Heatley and Vinny are much the same. Naslund has a great shot, much like Hull, so they goto areas which can be minipulated. These guys realize their limits, realize their special abilities and get in positions to make them happen. That's why you read about Kovalev's abilities, he only shows them when other teams allow him to, he cannot create his own, not on a regular basis at least.

He is a great player, with a ton of skill, but I wouldn't put him up as the "most skilled" in the NHL. They used to say the same about Mogilny, especially when he came to Toronto. It's just not true, they are unbelievably skilled, but they do fancy junk, which clicks to make highlights. They don't make their oppurtunities, not to the degree the most talented players in the NHL do. Ice vision and hockey smarts are raw talent, and they make or break players.

Kovalev is an incredible hockey player, one who can compliment a team very well, but he isn't the goto guy.

I just put those links to prove I'm not alone who think he's one of the Top 3-5 players in the world.

And Theo, I know you hate Kovalev because he has been a big disapointment in New York, but pull Kovalev of the 1994 roster and the Rangers would not have won the Stanley Cup.

If only hockey can start again, maybe he will find a way to prove his skills again like he di in Pittsburgh.

Finally eazy, I don't think Kovalev can't create oppurtinity by himself, I think he's one of the rare guys that can beat easily guys on one on one.

I don't think talent always go with production.

I'm reading a book on Maurice Richard right now and they say he was not a great stickhandler or a great skater, the say he was the greatest goal scorer.

Sorry to all MSHers who think I'm crazy, I just can't say anything else than my opinion. I need to say what I think even if I know I'll be hammered, it's in me.

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

You are perfectly entitled to your opinion, Kovy. Although I do think you are a bit crazy, but so am I at times.

Just to get back on a point, in 94 Kovalev was young, had energy, played hard on both ends of the ice and had a simpler more rounded game. He had awesome leadership in Messier who him out a lot.

One word that can perfectly describe Kovalev is enigma. I watch clips of 94 and I liked a lot of what I saw then. But since then I have not liked how he progressed. If he used his skills in a more constructive matter, I would not have a problem.

I don't hate Kovalev at all really. It seems he is a good guy actually and generally I don't mind him at all. But for the reasons above I am dissapointed at him.

At least you just use the term ``a bit`` B) ...

Another thing I'd like to say is that everyone think Kovalev doesn't have passion for hockey but I have heard that he is a guy that is really passionate by hockey.

[lee92 2]

no offence kovy, but kovalev isn't the god of hockey you're making him up to be. the guys gifted, we know, but there's no use in gifts if you can't apply it. he may be more talented than a ton of other athletes, but that doesn't mean anything if he doesn't use it...that's whats seperating him from other superstars in the league. i'm all for the russians when it comes to hockey, as they're exciting to watch. but they don't play as a team...there is no bond between all the players to find a common goal, like other countries such as the states, canada, sweden, and finland. they play more of an individual game, where one takes the puck and goes as far as he can till he loses it, and then the next one comes up and does the same. the only thing they win because of this is a spot on highlight reels, while other teams work together to win championships

[A_Steeves12 0]

no offence kovy, but kovalev isn't the god of hockey you're making him up to be. the guys gifted, we know, but there's no use in gifts if you can't apply it. he may be more talented than a ton of other athletes, but that doesn't mean anything if he doesn't use it...that's whats seperating him from other superstars in the league. i'm all for the russians when it comes to hockey, as they're exciting to watch. but they don't play as a team...there is no bond between all the players to find a common goal, like other countries such as the states, canada, sweden, and finland. they play more of an individual game, where one takes the puck and goes as far as he can till he loses it, and then the next one comes up and does the same. the only thing they win because of this is a spot on highlight reels, while other teams work together to win championships

well said

the guy is clearly skilled but he doesnt show the drive or passion for the game anymore.

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

the guy is clearly skilled but he doesnt show the drive or passion for the game ANYMORE.

WHAT????

Have you seen him in the playoff with the Canadians, wow, if kovy didn't wanted to win the stanley cup, nobody on the team wanted to. Sure you will tell me when he loses the puck......But his wife got a boy(I think) while he played game 7(I think it was that game) against Boston and he played the game so well without telling it to anyone on the team about the situation, he told them just after the game.

[Perry94 0]

you know what Kovy? I genuinely hope that you are right in your words when you say that Kovalev'll prove to all that he has the drive, because when he can bring it to the table consistantly, the other teams shudder. However (!) from the way he played in the WC...I highly doubt it.

[Chadd 916]

Kovalev is the type of player who is either hurting the other team or hurting his own. He is a high risk - high reward type of player. If he has the puck, he can hurt the other team. If he doesn't have the puck, he's as dangerous to his own team as the opponent. He is well below average defensively and not generally physical at either end of the ice. I've watched him for the last decade or so. My best friend in high school was a ranger fan and my wife is originally from the Pittsburgh area (maybe that's why I dislike that area so much).

He really only works well in a system where he can do whatever he wants. He has never been a system guy. I recall Keenan keeping him on the ice for half a period because he was complaining about a lack of ice time. The funny thing is Keenan is the type of guy who will give you a ton of ice time if you prove to him that you deserve it.

He has great skills but has never achieved up to the level of his ability. There are a few things that usually account for that. Injuries, off ice problems or lack of desire.

[hip check 0]

Enough of the Kovalev love-in. Everyone is entiltled to their opinion, no matter how weak it may seem. ;)

Skill without results = ?

Sakic, like others, has been consistent over his career. If Kovalev had done that for his career, he'd have a spot in the Hall of Fame beside Joe, or at least down the hall.

[McCabe#1 0]

No one here is going to convince kovy_ribs he is wrong, so we all might as well give up on this topic. He just doesn't see it.

[Cavs019 708]

As Chadd said, Kovalev is a freestyler. Maybe Kovalev and Kovy-Ribs can start an And 1 hockey tour to satisfy his dangle cravings.

[sweetblazer 0]

To even compare Sakic and/or Kovalchuk and Draper to Kovalev and say you would take Kovalev is absolutely stupid IMO. First Sakic has leadership,passion,"raw skill", and he produces. It doesn't matter his stickhandling isn't as good as kovalev his shot,hockey sense, toughness, and general passion is better then Kovalevs has ever been and no matter how much passion kovalev has the key is HE DOESN'T PRODUCE anymore. Kovalchuk is in the same boat as Sakic except I consider his stickhandling to bo almost as good as Kovalev. Finally there is Draper, in 94' I would have taken Kovalev, but nowadays Draper drive, determination and heart is enough for me. Kovalev has none of that left in him. I would also like to point out that you may not consider someone like Draper to be a good Stickhandler, but remember he is being compared to the best in the world. We have all seen the videos of your stickhandling Kovy and it was very good, but we all know that even a guy like draper can do that, and probably faster more controlled etc. The point i'm trying to make is he isn't that much worse than a guy like kovalev, he just doesn't play that kind of game. If he practiced only stickhandling he would be able to get highlinght reel goals, but he is content being the behind the seens hard worker.

Finally, I'd like to point out that Lemieux quote was, i'm sure, when he was playing with Kovalev. Thus, he would be biased in his statement, and it would have been before the new 'era".

All in all, I just hope that you can see that as much as you'd like to believe that Kovalev is an all around player, he isn't. He can stickhandle and has a pretty good stride.

The above was not meant to affend you in any way, this is just the way I and from what I can see most people see the situation.

[Chadd 916]

To even compare Sakic and/or Kovalchuk and Draper to Kovalev and say you would take Kovalev is absolutely stupid IMO.

Depends on the role you ask them to play. I'd pick Kovy for a first line wing position over Draper any day.

[sweetblazer 0]

I'll be honest at this point in their careers, as slick as Kovalev is based on effort I would be more confident with Draper. Sounds stupid I guess but this is my opinion.

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

We have all seen the videos of your stickhandling Kovy and it was very good, but we all know that even a guy like draper can do that, and probably faster more controlled etc.

no way,Look Draper is a grinder, he doesn't have that horrible hands but they are not very good.

I'm off this topic now but remember that it doesn't mean you find Sakic better than Kovalev that I need to find it.

I find Kovalev to be better than Sakic that's it that's all...Now I'm out.

[sweetblazer 0]

Okay I understand you really like Kovalev just please give me 3 reasons that are legitimate and basically inarguable why Kovavlev is better other than " he has sick hands!" and "look at how good he was in pitsburg. If you can do that and say to yourself that you truly believe for these three reasons he is better. Then I will drop the subject completely and agree with you.

[warrior37 0]

ummm, for everyone that was talking about a grind line and such, team canada will have the DDT line: Doan-Draper-Thornton, one of the sweetest lines ive ever witnessed (live)

[Perry94 0]

As Chadd said, Kovalev is a freestyler. Maybe Kovalev and Kovy-Ribs can start an And 1 hockey tour to satisfy his dangle cravings.

agreed...lets make that an MSH event! the MSH And 1 Dangler's Dream Tour!

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

Harlem Globe trotters for Hockey lol...