Phil Posted November 27, 2018 Share Posted November 27, 2018 He spent the third period stapled to the bench and finished with 6 minutes 20 seconds of playing time. Kovalchuk wasn?t subtle when asked about keeping a positive attitude while sitting on the bench. ?I don?t know how to be on the bench because it?s the first time in my career [that] I sit there for the third period,? he said. ?But I?m that kind of guy, you know? I don?t care. We were winning, and that?s all that matters.? The shrinking role of Kovalchuk, 35, has become a significant matter given the investment the Kings have in him: a three-year, $18.75-million contract they gave him in July. Kovalchuk has been banished to the fourth line and second power-play unit, and barely gets time on the latter. In an email, general manager Rob Blake declined to comment on Kovalchuk, his primary free-agent addition. Kovalchuk?s reduction in playing time unfolds only 23 games into the season and maybe raises questions about his future with the Kings. Interim coach Willie Desjardins has talked about trying to get Kovalchuk going offensively, but that?s not possible if Kovalchuk isn?t on the ice. Asked about that predicament, Kovalchuk said, ?I think you answered your question.? Desjardins said after the Kings? 5-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday that benching Kovalchuk had to do with matchups before he ended his answer by saying, ?I just think other guys were going tonight.? https://www.latimes.com/sports/kings/la-sp-kings-kovalchuk-20181126-story.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted November 27, 2018 Share Posted November 27, 2018 Too much money for too many years at his age. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gravesy Posted November 27, 2018 Share Posted November 27, 2018 I've only watched a couple of Kings games this season, but so far it looks as if Gorton may have dodged a bullet with that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunny Posted November 27, 2018 Share Posted November 27, 2018 It's just a bad situation. I think he'd thrive as a secondary option on a team that's winning. I wonder if he took the most money to go there or what the deal was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gravesy Posted November 27, 2018 Share Posted November 27, 2018 Yeah. He's not a good fit for a team that looks like it'll have to knuckle down and fight tooth and nail for every single point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Future Posted November 27, 2018 Share Posted November 27, 2018 It's just a bad situation. I think he'd thrive as a secondary option on a team that's winning. I wonder if he took the most money to go there or what the deal was. Probably....LAK has to know that their window is closing, and this was a hail mary, so to speak, so they probably overpaid. They were probably the only "good" team to tell him he'd have a role in the top 6. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Posted November 27, 2018 Author Share Posted November 27, 2018 It's just a bad situation. I think he'd thrive as a secondary option on a team that's winning. I wonder if he took the most money to go there or what the deal was. They were reportedly the only team willing to offer a third year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paddynyc Posted November 27, 2018 Share Posted November 27, 2018 Can he just pick up and go back to the KHL ? Isn't that he did with the Devils? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GordonGecko Posted November 27, 2018 Share Posted November 27, 2018 Can he just pick up and go back to the KHL ? Isn't that he did with the Devils? KHL can't pay NHL money anymore, and especially not for his current age/performance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sod16 Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 Could be a decent fit somewhere else with LA retaining half. It will probably take that or something close to move him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paddynyc Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 WHEW !!!! Glad he didn't come here even at a 2 year contract. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYR2711 Posted December 3, 2018 Share Posted December 3, 2018 He is out 4 weeks after having a procedure on his ankle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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