While still a long shot, the Montreal Canadiens haven't yet lost all hope of making the post-season. However, with the trade deadline of February 24th creeping up, the team will need to decide soon whether it wants to be a buyer or a seller. One interesting potential bargaining chip for the Habs is Ilya Kovalchuk, and TSN Insider Pierre LeBrun has revealed what he believes the Canadiens will want in return for the 36-year-old.
According to LeBrun, should Montreal decide to deal Kovalchuk at the trade deadline, the belief is the ask will be a 2nd round draft pick. It seems steep for a player on the league minimum salary and one many thought would have difficulty landing a spot on an NHL team after having his contract terminated by the L.A. Kings in December. However, Kovalchuk has been excellent in his first 11 games with the Habs, potting five goals and adding four assists for nine points. If he can continue on that pace, he should have no trouble fitting in with a team looking to make a deep playoff run.
But that's not where the story ends. LeBrun adds the Canadiens haven't yet made the decision to deal the Russian winger, and may instead hang on to him. LeBrun states Kovalchuk has had an excellent impact with the Habs not only on the ice, but off it as well. It had been recently revealed that while Montreal was in the midst of an eight-game losing streak back in January, Kovalchuk took the entire team out for a relaxing dinner in order to get their minds elsewhere. It worked, as the Canadiens won their very next game.
LeBrun adds that if Kovalchuk is to be traded, it could very well end up being a last minute decision by Montreal on trade deadline day. Until then, the team can only hope he continues to have a positive impact.
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