Given the assets at their disposal and the need for a top-six contributor, it should come as no surprise that the Bruins will be keeping tabs on Blue Jackets winger Artemi Panarin in the weeks leading up to the NHL trade deadline, which is set for Monday, Feb. 25.
While Panarin would be a dynamic addition up front for Boston, we’ve also discussed the risks that come with trading for the 27-year-old winger, who will cost the Bruins quite a bit — and is set to get paid this offseason.
If Boston is hesitant to deal for a soon-to-be UFA like Panarin, perhaps Don Sweeney and Co. might turn their attention to another Russian sniper reportedly out on the market?
Returning to the NHL for the first time since the 2011-12 season, veteran winger and future Hall of Famer Ilya Kovalchuk’s tenure with the Los Angeles Kings has been, well, less than stellar.
Spurning Boston in free agency to ink a three-year, $18.75 million deal in L.A., Kovalchuk has primarily been relegated to the bottom six for a Kings club that currently sits near the basement of the Western Conference at 23-28-4.
With L.A. poised for a rebuild, it doesn’t appear as though the 35-year-old Kovalchuk is in their future plans, with the Kings reportedly making the winger available ahead of the trade deadline.
Given Boston’s pursuit of Kovalchuk this summer — along with the B’s need for some scoring on the wing — could making a deal for the veteran forward work? Let’s take a look:
The cost?
If the Kings do decide to part ways with Kovalchuk, they’re not dipping their toes into the friendliest of markets, especially when it comes to wingers. Given Kovalchuk’s term and age, many clubs looking for an upgrade on the wing would likely just focus on rentals — with options including Micheal Ferland, Wayne Simmonds, Mark Stone, Ryan Dzingel and many more.
As such, the Kings don’t have much leverage in a potential deal, especially if they don’t want to eat some of the money off of Kovalchuk’s contract. If the Kings are adamant about parting ways with Kovalchuk and want to get that contract off their books, you’d have to think that a team such as the Bruins would be able to avoid parting ways with a first-round draft pick for the second year in a row, especially if Boston takes on his contract. Perhaps a second and third-round pick, along with a prospect might be enough to get a deal done — but it seems likely that any interested party would try to get L.A. to alleviate some of the incoming cap hit.
Is there a fit?
Considering how the Bruins were one of the finalists for Kovalchuk’s services this summer, it seems as though the winger would be a welcome addition to a B’s club that is still looking for an established top-six forward.
Now, Kovalchuk is not the same player that posted five 40-plus goal seasons with both Atlanta and New Jersey, but he’s still on pace for 18 goals and 43 points this year, while spending time out of a top-six spot.
Putting Kovalchuk on a line with a playmaking pivot like David Krejci would likely lead to even more production for a forward that still possesses one of the most lethal wrist shots in the game. Still, there has to be a bit of concern when it comes to what he can provide during 5v5 play — a spot where Boston has struggled for most of the season.
During 5v5 play this season, Kovalchuk has found the back of the net six times — while his remaining five tallies have come by way of the power play (three goals) and other even-strength situations (two goals). Even with those six 5v5 goals, Kovalchuk actually only has an expected 5v5 goals for of 4.88 — a sign that he’s enjoyed a bit of puck luck, given factors such as his shot selection and distance.
Is it worth the risk?
The cost may not be quite as high for the Bruins if they were to acquire Kovalchuk, but there are quite a few roadblocks. First, Kovalchuk would have to waive his no-movement clause, while Boston would have to find out how to balance its cap if they need to take on a contract with an annual cap hit of $6.25 million the next two seasons.
Even if Kovalchuk’s deal is front-loaded due to a $5.3 million signing bonus (we'll get to this later), the Bruins seem to have enough headaches already with David Backes’ contract — another deal with term awarded to a veteran player that has failed to justify a high cap hit.
Perhaps Kovalchuk does come in a provide a stabilizing presence as a top-six contributor for Boston — but given the need for Boston to keep some cap space freed up with new contracts for players like Charlie McAvoy, Jake DeBrusk and many more on the horizon, how would you feel about the Bruins entering next season with $12.5 million committed to a 36-year-old Kovalchuk and a 35-year-old Backes?
Yeah, that’s going to be a no from me.
______________
___________________