Ilya Kovalchuk and the Right Wing experiment- Can It Work Again?

by Kevin Sellathamby on Aug 18, 2011 7:00 PM EDT in What Do You Think?

If anyone remembers last season, the Devils tried using Ilya Kovalchuk on the right wing. While it did show promise at time in the pre-season, it never really worked out because of other uncontrollable circumstances, such as the coach being a complete imbecile (/shakes fist at MacLame for the Nth time) and bad luck. A couple of weeks ago, John asked the question about who will play alongside Ilya Kovalchuk and Zach Parise. Most of the readers felt that Ilya Kovalchuk and Zach Parise should play on different lines. However, John did mention that the Devils could move Kovalchuk to right wing again- while he didn't say it's the most attractive option, there are a few factors that might make it work out this time.

A Different Mindset- No Contract Hijinx

Last year with Kovalchuk, he wasn't nearly able to focus on hockey in the offseason as much because of the bidding war between the Devils and Kings over who signs him. And when the Devils finally signed Kovy, the only person who's worse at his job than John MacLean, Gary Bettman voided the contract because it violated the "spirit" of the CBA, which lead to the Devils having to come up with a new contract which was approved, but by then it was around September- when training camp came along, and he didn't get in nearly as much training as he would've if his contract was signed earlier.

Of course, this offseason he didn't have to worry about signing a new contract- instead he was able to spend more of his time training and getting ready for the upcoming season. Of course, for the Devils, a focused Kovalchuk is good regardless of what position he plays- but maybe if he's focused and in shape he might have a bit more success on the off-wing than before.

Locker Room Problems- The Cancer Has Been Removed

If anything, the removal of Jamie Langenbrunner is a massive factor in how the right-wing experiment works out this season. If you think about it, Langenbrunner did have some motive to be pissed about Kovalchuk- the experiment bumped him off the top line. Considering how he reacted after Lemaire asked Colin White to wear the C, I wouldn't be surprised if Captain Crankypants reacted similarly to the experiment. This time around, I doubt Nick Palmieri, Dainius Zubrus, David Clarkson or Vladimir Zharkov would have the same problem with DeBoer if they were told "you're not going to be on the top line".

The Right Wing Depth Got A Whole Lot Less Deeper

Earlier today, Tom Gulitti tweeted that Travis Zajac will miss three months after undergoing surgery on his achillies tendon. While Adam Henrique can be called up, the Devils have the option of moving Dainius Zubrus back to center. While he is better suited to the right wing, it does mean that the depth on the right wing gets even worse. If Zubrus gets moved back to center, moving Kovalchuk to the right wing adds a bit more depth there. While this will only be temporary because Zajac should be back in mid-November. If it works out, then I guess the Devils can continue using Kovalchuk as a right wing. If it doesn't, they can just move him back to the left wing when Zajac returns and Zubrus can move back to the right wing.

The Uncontrollable- Luck

Yes, luck does not have anything to do, and it's not something that Kovalchuk can control, but it is somewhat important, because of what kind of luck the Devils had under MacLame- bad luck. Lets say DeBoer actually does put Kovalchuk on the right wing- is his luck going to be the same as it was with MacLame calling the shots? I highly doubt someone can have instances of bad luck when only performing a certain event. What if luck swings his way and he performs? It's an uncontrollable factor that was a factor last season in why it might not have worked out last season.

What do you think?

Do you think that the Devils should consider playing Kovalchuk on the Right Wing again? While it might not happen, I wanted to toss this point up for discussion, considering the Devils lack of depth at right wing might be even worse than before?

Poll

Should Ilya Kovalchuk start the 2011-2012 season at Right Wing?

Yes

116 votes

No

409 votes

Temporarily

130 votes

655 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 49 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

Why put the player who is probably the best pure goal scorer in today’s game on his off wing?

by skly27 on Aug 18, 2011 7:25 PM EDT reply actions

Semin and Ovechkin both line up on their off wing from time to time. Semin is now a full time right wing, in fact. Why? The one left wing ahead of him on e team depth chart is better.

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by red army line on Aug 19, 2011 12:57 AM EDT up reply actions

hm? they’d be putting him on his ‘on’ wing. but yeah, it’s no good. kovalchuk isn’t smart enough to make that transition.

http://drivingplay.blogspot.com - the blog with three first lines

by Triumph44 on Aug 19, 2011 1:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Ilya was born to play LW & in Russia they know how to teach this kind of game :

Switching this guy to RW would be a crime.

"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"

by Elektrostal_Kid on Aug 18, 2011 7:39 PM EDT reply actions

2 LW

I say just have ZP and Kovy line up literally next to each other both at LW without any RW, No one would know what to do against us.

by Zubrus for Hart on Aug 18, 2011 7:51 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I think

we are onto something here.

Bleed Black & Red

by Goblechuk on Aug 19, 2011 12:59 AM EDT up reply actions

Here is my take:

With Zajac hurt we need Kovy on a different line than Parise to try to get steady offense from our top 2 lines. I say put Zach with Elias (Patty plays center) and Palmieri on one line. Then have Kovy with Zubrus (Danius plays center) and give Clarkson a chance to play with them. If Clarkie or Palmieri don’t pan out in the top 6 you can always move Zubrus back to right wing, put Josefson at center in the top 6, call up Henrique to play a bottom 6 center and see if that works.

While I liked what I saw from Josefson and Tedenby, they are still not top 6 players at this point in their careers. They have flashes of good solid play, but it isn’t consistent and they would benefit from some heavily protected minutes at even strength and some steady power play time every night. Both of these players have progressed to the point where they should be expected to play almost every game, but they shouldn’t be expected to push the offense or be depended on. You can put one of them in a top 6 position if he has 2 solid guys around them, but I wouldn’t but both of them there. I say put Zharkov on the right wing with them (he is right handed) and let those guys skate.

Now, I wouldn’t be surprised to see someone like Pelley or Sestito make a run in camp to try to get considered for the 3rd/4th line center role. Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if one of them achieved that goal, in fact I wouldn’t mind it. It would mean we don’t have to make Zubrus play center and we don’t have to rush Henrique. Yeah, that’s right. I just said I wouldn’t mind Tim Sestito playing above the fourth line. HAVE AT ME!

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by slackdog_rm on Aug 18, 2011 8:29 PM EDT reply actions

Zharky is lefty & he’s not the best puck handler out there. He’s got great speed which is good to play opposite wing but he just can’t “turn” his wrist to shot forehand from the right, so he always goes with is super weak backhander. Overall I’m not sure RW is the best position for him.

"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"

by Elektrostal_Kid on Aug 18, 2011 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I was wrong about his handedness, I knew he was playing his off-wing but I thought he was a right-handed LW like Kovy, but I would still like to see Zharkov play with the 2 Swedes. He is fast, but he is also taller than 6’ and is gritty when he needs to be and isn’t afraid to go dig the puck out of the corners or go to the net.

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 Aug 18, 2011 8:51 PM EDT up reply actions

besides his position

I agree & I’d add he’s very responsible defensively. That could be a good fit with JJ & Teddy.

"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"

by Elektrostal_Kid on Aug 19, 2011 4:08 AM EDT up reply actions

So the reason Langenbrunner was a locker room cancer was that he was pissed about Kovy replacing him? That makes sense, but why did Dallas start sucking when they got Langenbrunner? He was still a pretty good player and leader historically

by Devilsrule on Aug 18, 2011 8:39 PM EDT reply actions

my lines

zach- elias- zubs
kovy- jj- teddy
zharkov-henrique-clarky
boulton-steckel-janseen
volenchekov- greene
larsson- tallinder
tao- urbom

this looks bad…

by ALECDK on Aug 18, 2011 9:57 PM EDT reply actions

Why no Fayne? He’s way more established than 50% of those Dmen

by AlphaSigDevil48 on Aug 18, 2011 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions

he’s not better than Larsson or Urbom in the long run.

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by Kevin Sellathamby on Aug 19, 2011 7:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Well, when we put together the depth chart for 4 years from now, we will keep that in mind.

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 Aug 19, 2011 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions

man are people sleeping on fayne. he comes in out of nowhere and puts up solid numbers all the way around. there’s an excellent chance that his future is brighter than urbom’s.

http://drivingplay.blogspot.com - the blog with three first lines

by Triumph44 on Aug 19, 2011 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Kovy – JJ – Teddy could be good in a few years, when all three are

1. more accustomed to the Devils’ way of playing and
2. more responsible defensively

As of now, you’re essentially putting all the defensive weight on that line on JJ, who showed promise but can’t be expected to hold such an important place in his first full season.

by skly27 on Aug 19, 2011 12:34 AM EDT up reply actions

Fayne, Corrente, Fraser, Pelley, and Palmieri would like to take you outside and discuss your cutting them from the team.

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 Aug 19, 2011 12:49 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs

by NJGuy on Aug 19, 2011 7:26 AM EDT up reply actions

No Palmieri? A lot of people have him on the first line…
No Fayne? He seems much more likely to make the team this year than Larsson, imo.

by njdss4 on Aug 19, 2011 7:07 AM EDT up reply actions

That has the potential to be the most penalized fourth line in the NHL. Now do we really want that?

by Jacob Shepherd on Aug 19, 2011 7:10 AM EDT up reply actions

if boulton and jannsen are ever playing in the same game, a whole lot of stuff has gone to hell and the season is already over.

The question is not how far. The question is, do you possess the constitution, the depth of faith, to go as far as is needed? - Il Duce

by Murdoc on Aug 19, 2011 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions

that’s silly. i expect boulton and janssen to get into at least 10 games together no matter how the season goes.

http://drivingplay.blogspot.com - the blog with three first lines

by Triumph44 on Aug 19, 2011 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions

As long as those penalties are earned in chunks of 5, then HELL YES!

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 Aug 19, 2011 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions

palmieri ?

by JTdevs on Aug 19, 2011 9:26 AM EDT up reply actions

ahh just saw the other responses inquiring about palmieri as well. Agree that Fayne is most likely on the team come October as well.

by JTdevs on Aug 19, 2011 9:27 AM EDT up reply actions

i forgot about fayne and palmieri

by ALECDK on Aug 19, 2011 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Absolutely not!!

He needs to stay on the left wing, it’s about time the staff stops messing with him.

The Devils are Jersey's Team, all of New Jersey

by Real Big Devils Fan on Aug 18, 2011 10:26 PM EDT reply actions

Assuming no trades, I would go with...

Parise-Elias-Palmieri
Kovalchuk-Josefson-Zubrus
Boulton-Steckel-Clarkson
Zharkov-Pelley-Janssen

They really are a lot weaker without Zajac. Just a crushing blow. Better now than in 2 months, though.

by sjohnson125 on Aug 19, 2011 7:03 AM EDT reply actions

Why would you play both Janssen and Boulton who are both essentially useless and not put Tedenby in there somewhere?

by Jacob Shepherd on Aug 19, 2011 7:07 AM EDT up reply actions

A lot of people seem to be forgetting either Tedenby or Palmieri when making their mock lineup… I guess I’d go with:
Parise – Elias – Palmieri
Kovalchuk – Zubrus – Tedenby
Steckel – Josefson – Clarkson
Boulton/Pelley – Henrique – Zharkov/Janssen

I had to think about it a while, but putting Steckel at LW on either the third or fourth line might work. Steckel is listed as LW as his native position, and he can step in and take faceoffs if either Josefson or Henrique are having an off night.

by njdss4 on Aug 19, 2011 7:20 AM EDT up reply actions

You're both right, I missed Tedenby.

I’d swap out Janssen for Tedenby. I still think I prefer my top lines; I think Josefson is more of a complete player at this stage than Tedenby is.

by sjohnson125 on Aug 19, 2011 7:27 AM EDT up reply actions

steckel on wing!!! put zharkov or henrique instead of steckel and those r rlly gd lines i think

by ALECDK on Aug 19, 2011 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Considering the lines that I previously had thought about which would be:
Parise-Zajac-Tedenby
Kovalchuk-Josefson-Palmeri
Elias-Zubrus-Clarkson
Zharkov-Steckel-Boulton/Pelly
Have Henrique play a few games here or there to start him off.

Now Zajac’s injury throws a wrench into this, bringing up multiple possibilities. This begs the question,do you change your other potentially solid lines in order to accommodate the injury to your best center to help out your best player? I would say YES! however I sure don’t like the idea of mixing up other lines. I understand that what I listed may very well not be what the lines will be, but assuming they are close enough, I would like the chemistry on those lines to build up, so when Zajac comes back he can jump right into the swing of things.
Now considering all of that, I would rule out the possibility of Henrique jumping up to the top line, as he is a rookie. Perhaps we would move Elias up, and put Zharkov in his stead to see what he can do, meanwhile trying out Henrique on the 4th line?

by NJGuy on Aug 19, 2011 7:42 AM EDT reply actions

kovy needs to stay at LW. his best assets are speed and his forehand shots. playing him on his off wing (righty on the left) gives him the ability to drift into the slot and fire that shot. he doesn’t look as comfortable on the right.
i’d like to try one of our lefty’s on the right before switching kovy.

by jrenz on Aug 19, 2011 9:16 AM EDT reply actions

kovy – jj – palmieri
parise – elias- teddy
zharkov- zubrus – clarkson
boulton – steckel – henrique / pelley

by JTdevs on Aug 19, 2011 9:31 AM EDT reply actions

I remember in an interview last year, Kovalchuk says he obviously likes playing on left wing more than right…why put your most prolific scorer on his offwing?

Kovalchuk-Elias-Tedenby
Parise-Zubrus-Palmieri
Zharkov-Joseffson-Clarkson
Boulton-Pelly-Janssen/steckel/henrique

by Marty's Better #30 on Aug 19, 2011 12:52 PM EDT reply actions

first to clarify for everyone who doesnt know, when he plays at left wing, he is on his offwing. thats not a bad thing, some players just prefer it; see jagr, jaromir.

Secondly, id like to keep him on the left side because some of his best moves come from him cutting across the ice, something he cant do on the right side.

by poopydoodie11 on Aug 19, 2011 6:30 PM EDT reply actions

When I say offwing…I mean the wing he usually never plays…granted he is all over the ice when he plays.

by Marty's Better #30 on Aug 19, 2011 9:24 PM EDT reply actions

Kovy should try playing with zach on the top line, but…. Zach should play the right wing position. Kovy needs to be on the left side to take those one timers, and dirty wristers. Kovie is a left wing. Of course i think for now they should try to just seperate the two and only use them in certain circumstances. It would take probably about 12 games into the season to get used to, and then if the devils started to lack scoring then the line would have to split up. Tough decision.

by zachattack997 on Aug 21, 2011 12:03 AM EDT reply actions

If we have Kovalchuk and Parise on the same line we become much less deep. We essentially have one scoring line. He was not very good at all at RW and I think it would be a mistake to try it again.

by zach parise9 on Aug 21, 2011 2:16 PM EDT reply actions

My lineup

Parise Zubrus Palmieri
Kovalchuk Elias Clarkson
Zharkov Josefson Tedenby
Pelley Steckel Janssen

Tallinder Fayne
Greene Volchenkov
Taormina Salvador

by Justified on Aug 23, 2011 3:15 AM EDT reply actions

Switch teddy and Zharkov with positions and it’s probably pretty accurate. Our 4th line is nothing to be excited about, meh.

by KovyisLove on Aug 23, 2011 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Keep on the Left

Playing Kovy on the right side takes away his strength. His game is built upon his ability to cut to the middle on his forehand and fire those awesome shots he has when he rushes the puck as well as one time it in the zone…

by RJizzle on Aug 23, 2011 5:43 PM EDT reply actions

Need to have people who play the same style together on the same lines:

Parise-Elias-Zubrus
Kovalchuk-Josefson-Tedenby
Zharkov-Henrique-Palmieri
Pelley-Steckle-Clarkson

by MoonDragn on Aug 24, 2011 11:10 AM EDT reply actions

Is that true or would people complementing each other be better?

by KovyisLove on Aug 24, 2011 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, Parise and Zubrus both work great in the corners, Zubrus and Parise both can put in the puck in up close. Elias can pass to either one with great accuracy.
Kovy depends on speed, so does Tedenby. On a rush they would be the first ones to the zone and can work off each other with Josefson hanging back in case the puck goes the other way.
Zharkov and Palmieri both are tenacious in getting the puck, and Henrique is opportunistic and can put it in from almost anywhere.
Finally Steckle makes the 4th line not a liablilty by winning the draws, and then clarkson and pelley will cycle the heck out of it to keep it out of opponent’s hands. These lines complement each other well.

by MoonDragn on Aug 24, 2011 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions