So it's finally official. Alex Kovalev will not be back with the Habs next season. He signed a 2 year $10 million contract with the Ottawa Senators today, ending his time in Montreal. BG Apparently offered AK27 a contract, but Kovalev did not accept it quickly enough and the money went to another player.I still remember when the Habs traded for Kovalev. Jozeph Balej and a 2nd round pick went the other way, and the Habs finally had a legitimate impact player at the trade deadline. Although he started slow, he quickly won the fans over with his dazzling stick handling and highlight reel goals. His play was up and down, much like it has been his whole career. But when he was on, he had the ability to win games on his own.
The 2007-2008 season was Alex at his best. Scoring 35 goals and assisting on 49 others, Kovalev was the team MVP and an NHL second team all-star. On a nightly basis chants of "Kovy, Kovy" echoed through the Bell Centre as he weaved through the opposition. The Habs were never out of a game with him in the lineup.
Things weren't all roses though as this past season Kovalev was sent home for a few days by GM Bob Gainey after struggling. Bob and Alex seemed to have a special bond and it seemed every time they had one of their "talks" Kovy would dominate in the games following. He returned to a standing ovation from the crowd and scored early in the first period against the Sens. Kovy season was up and down, but the fans never wavered in their support of him. His involvement in the community only added to the admiration and it seemed like he would never leave.
I was also one of those fans that couldn't get enough of watching him play. For once, after god knows how many years, the Habs had a game breaker. I could handle the occasional turnover or lazy shift because I knew what he could do. He had the ability to go end to end at any time. He was a human highlight reel who kept fans on the edge of their seats. So I wish you all the best Alex, just not against the Habs. I thank you for 4+ good seasons, I will miss watching you in a Habs uniform. Here are my top 5 Kovy memories:
Career stats with Montreal:
Reg. Season: 314 GP, 103 G, 161A, 264 P, 310 PIMS
Playoffs: 33GP, 17G, 14A, 31P, 22 PIMS
1. The Forearm-Late in a game against the Leafs (the Habs were up by a bunch), Darcy Tucker attempts to throw an elbow at Kovy. He catches him with a bit of elbow, so Kovalev, steaming, grabs the puck, stick handles around the zone towards Tucker and lays him out with a huge forearm. One of my favorites Habs memories of all time.
2. Helmet less Playoff Goal-The Habs are playing their longtime rival, the Boston Bruins. After colliding with Chara in front of the B's bench, he loses his helmet. Kovy grabs the puck dekes past a couple of Bruins, drops the puck to the point and it ends of back on his stick. He burries the shot and the crowd explodes.
3. Highlight Reel Heaven-The Habs played the B's March 20, 2008 and continued their dominance. Kovalev scored on a spin-a-rama goal around Chara and then splits the D (Chara and Wideman) to score his second. Nothing I like seeing more than Habs turning Chara inside out.
4. "The Move"-We all all seen it many times. Kovy on the half boards working the power play. He carries the puck towards the point, and then makes a move on the forward and drives back towards the goal before taking a shot on net, usually top shelf. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sutTsQNLfc
5. "The Comeback Game"-After spotting the Rangers a 5-0 lead, the Habs storm back and Kovalev scores his 2nd of the night on a one-time blast. The Habs go on to win in a shootout, capping the biggest comeback in team history.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrer1boFz0Y
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