Kovalchuk to the Devils for Begfors, Oduya, Cormier and a first rounder, way to much, I guess Wadell didnt want to get hosed like he did with Hossa
Don Waddell didn't get hosed this time. He didn't want a repeat of the Pens situation. We only ended up losing a bottom six guy, a guy now who has been seeing bouts with his big league team, and also the minors. A bluechipper that now has become a bust. Funny that at the time the hockey world felt the Pens overpaid, they gave up nothing, got their Cup, and beat the player that stiffed them in the process. Beautiful karma! Freed up player salary in dumping Armstrong and Christensen, so looking back on it now, it was a great trade, regardless if the Pens didn't maintain Hossa's services.
Having said all of that, yes, this is a huge overpayment for the Devils. And they will get fleeced if Koval doesn't resign with them because they give up a potential top liner in Bergfors who is amongst the top rookies in scoring, with 70+ point potential, a prospect who could turn into a top six guy, in Cormier (although a tool), a top six dman in Oduya, and a 1st round draft pick, which could be anything. Way to go Waddell, you made good.
Also, Kovalchuk is a piece of ____! I don't want to leave Atlanta, I hope I stay, yet he forced his team to trade him when he asked for 20 percent of his team's cap, the league's highest you're allowed to pay a player, which would have paid him out 11.3 million US per season. 2 milion more than Ovechkin, the highest paid NHLer right now.
There is no way that Atlanta could afford that, and he knew it. What a weasel, and to lie to the public and media like that. What a lying greedy goof.