Ilya Kovalchuk and Defense

There's a lot of confirmation bias when it comes to Kovalchuk. Some think phrases like 'team player' or words like 'defensive' don't mesh with him. Well Tom Gulitti has some quotes that should seriously put those some to rest. Kovy approached Lemaire and we may be seeing him on the penalty kill soon.

I for one have been seeing a change in his game, and it's not just through scoring. He's been back-checking very well the last few games and stick checking in the neutral zone, slowing down the opposition's breakout. He could be a deadly short-handed threat if he excels on the penalty kill. What do you think about his play on both sides of the puck? Would you want him on the kill?

Update: Gulitti did a follow up with Kovy.

over 1 year ago Matthew Ventolo 17 comments 1 recs |

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Agree with you completely about how he’s been playing. I am very happy to see it was Kovy that initiated the lesson rather than JL laying a smackdown. If he plays well on the kill, go for it. I’m not exactly all bubbly about it if the opponent is on the PP with 2 min left in a tie game, at least not yet, but with a lead, why not? Let’s see what he can do.

Kovy is a professional, and it seems he’s taken this opportunity in a lost season to actually get better at his game rather than just sulk and complain about not scoring and losing. Its the kind of example that the C and the As should be setting.

Very good to hear.

by Murdoc on Jan 20, 2011 12:36 PM EST reply actions

Totally on board

With the exception of Patrik Elias comments about Kovy not trying to do it all himself, I have not heard even the remotest indications that any other members of the team have any problems with him. As far as I am concerned, he has been a model citizen, and has not done one thing to warrant any kind of label of selfish, etc. I thought a perfect example was Palmieri’s first goal. Kovy clearly could have tried for that one himself to pad his stats, but he passes it to Palmieri, and then on top of it goes and gets the puck out of the net for the kid.

He says all the right things, he works hard on the ice from my perspective, and even though he is without question one of the top 10 players in the post lockout NHL, has shown an openness to learn and change his game

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by Devilssection21fan on Jan 20, 2011 12:51 PM EST reply actions

You are absolutely right. He did it for Rolston’s 500th goal in Montreal last season (and then picked up the puck for him).

I went to the Devils game in Atlanta and heard this constantly how he doesn’t play defense, he’s not a team player, he’s not going to play now because he’s signed for life. I was demanding that they weren’t valid. and that they were just bitter, but they stubbornly disagreed. This was like 5 or 6 separate people too, season ticket holders. It really annoyed me especially after the game where the Devils hardly even showed up to.

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by Matthew Ventolo on Jan 20, 2011 1:43 PM EST up reply actions

ou are absolutely right. He did it for Rolston’s 500th goal in Montreal last season (and then picked up the puck for him).

That’s the play that sold me on Kovy fitting in with the Devils, at least from an attitude standpoint. Especially because the game was only a month or so after he was traded, and he knew that Rollie was sitting on 499 and gave him the goal, he earned a lot of credit with me that night.

by richer44 on Jan 20, 2011 2:48 PM EST up reply actions

You mean 20th goal of the season, Rolston’s only around 300 goals in his career

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by Kevin Sellathamby on Jan 20, 2011 4:00 PM EST up reply actions

hmm...

What was special about that goal then, career wise? 700th point?

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by Matthew Ventolo on Jan 20, 2011 4:43 PM EST up reply actions

700th point, maybe?

by elesias on Jan 20, 2011 4:51 PM EST up reply actions

At this point I consider any goal Rolston scores to be special.

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by slackdog_rm on Jan 20, 2011 5:22 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

He’s already been being used on the PK, I noticed it a few games ago. I figured it was some crazy Lemaire plan, I wouldn’t’ve guessed it was Kovalchuk’s idea. He’s only been getting out there in the last 30 seconds of a kill, though, so things can’t go too far wrong.

Agree that his backchecking has been way better. He was horrendous at forcing turnovers in the neutral zone and he has been better of late.

by Triumph44 on Jan 20, 2011 1:10 PM EST reply actions

You're right

He was on the PK for 0:43 last game(event summary) and it was during both first period powerplays the Islanders had (Time On Ice Shift chart). This was the only game though. I wouldn’t mind seeing him at the tail ends of kills like you said, all while giving teams trouble who may have 4 or even 5 forwards on the ice.

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by Matthew Ventolo on Jan 20, 2011 1:31 PM EST up reply actions

It’s not the only game. He’s also listed as killing penalties in Florida and Philadelphia. Here’s the Philadelphia game. Here’s the first Philadelphia game, too.

by Triumph44 on Jan 20, 2011 2:06 PM EST up reply actions

He’s only been getting out there in the last 30 seconds of a kill,

I saw this as well. I figured they were trying to spring Kovy on a break against a defenseman or forward who wasn’t great on defense once the PP ended.

Good for him.

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by Tom Stivali on Jan 20, 2011 3:10 PM EST up reply actions

One of the things many of the “experts” and “pundits” continually praise about Sidney Crosby is how Sid has the internal drive to constantly improve his game, working on the weakest parts as to turn them into strengths as well. Whereas many of those same people ding Alexander Ovechkin because it seems at times he’d rather be a media sensation over working on his game.

I’m very pleased to see Ilya Kovalchuk is emulating Crosby over his countryman. I’m even more pleased that Kovalchuk is looking to contribute in ways other than the number in the “goal” column, even if there are a lot of writers out there who will never give him credit for that. As Devilssection21fan mentioned above, he’s working very hard and saying all the right things…. and it clearly appears to me like he’s meant what he says rather than it being empty words.

by acasser on Jan 20, 2011 1:22 PM EST reply actions

Waiting for Burnside to throw a hissy fit about this…

There is nothing quite as satisfying as out running security after you've punched out a Flyers fan!
"I was in the moment, and the moment said smack you." - Bruce Willis

by slackdog_rm on Jan 20, 2011 4:22 PM EST reply actions

I was thinking the same thing. Probably something about never scoring 40 goals again

by Murdoc on Jan 21, 2011 8:20 AM EST up reply actions

Not sold on Kovalchuk on the PK. I think it’ll initially work out well, but once teams get a read it’ll be tougher. You all know I’m big on stats, and one thing which I see often is that good PKers tend to be good Corsi players. Kovalchuk is the quintessential finisher, but not a great Corsi player at all. That being said, if he’s committing more to defense, he could become that Corsi star and very good PKer, like Rick Nash a few seasons ago.

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by red army line on Jan 21, 2011 12:43 PM EST reply actions

Perhaps. He hasn’t been a good Corsi player ever in his career, but he was also on Atlanta for most of his career. Kovalchuk turning out more like Rick Nash would be fantastic.

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by John Fischer on Jan 22, 2011 10:56 AM EST up reply actions

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