Sens' Gm Murray Calls Out Slumping Sniper Kovalev

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SENS' GM MURRAY CALLS OUT SLUMPING SNIPER KOVALEV

After taking aim at the team's defence corps, Senators' general manager Bryan Murray shifted his focus to the Sens' underachieving sniper, Alex Kovalev.

"Not very good," Murray told reporters on Wednesday when asked about the enigmatic Russian's play thus far. "It looks like his skating isn't where it was last year. I think there's lingering effects maybe from the surgery he had. I'm hoping that's part of it and, as time goes on, he gets going."

The 37-year old Kovalev has not lived up to expectations since signing a two-year, $10 million deal to join the Senators prior to last season. In his first year in the nation's capital, the Togliatti, Russia native had 18 goals and 49 points in 77 games. So far this year, he has registered just one assist in six games and has been demoted to the team's fourth line. He skated alongside Ryan Shannon and Jesse Winchester at practice this week.

Kovalev admitted that he was struggling, but disagreed with his general manager's assessment of his skating.

"Last year, people were talking about me not skating, either, so I don't know where is the truth," Kovalev said. "Last year or this year? I'm skating better than last year. Me, personally, that's the way I feel."

Kovalev also told reporters that he feels his early season struggles are all part of the game.

"I'm working and trying to get better," Kovalev said. "It's not always working the way you want, but I'm going to just keep trying and things will start working. It's the same thing for our team. "There's ups and downs during the season. Hopefully, that down part is happening now."

Kovalev will get his opportunity to turn his season around on Friday when the Senators face the Sabres in Buffalo.
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Bah, it won't matter. The guy has no heart, never has, never will. Murray knew this when he signed him (albeit I believe it was Melnyk's idea)
 
They could do what the rangers did (Reddon) and send him to the minors. I doubt any team would pick him up through waivers.
 
It really is sad that players like this still exist in the game, and that they actually make good money!!!

He never even half-way lived up to expectations. He put up just enough points on stacked teams to make the GM keep him, but his contracts were for his potential than his production. I dont want to say Daigle and Stefan-esque because he did better than them, but at least Yashin knew when to leave the league.....


"Last year, people were talking about me not skating, either, so I don't know where is the truth," Kovalev said. "Last year or this year? I'm skating better than last year. Me, personally, that's the way I feel."

Eh.....People have been criticizing you for not skating your entire career guy. Dont act so surprised.
 
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"not living up to expectations","underachieving","Kovalev" getting a bit redundant.problem with him has always been motivation,and unfortunately the Sens don't have the seasoned veteran(s) to reign in his attention and therefore his talent.he established a career under the watchful eye of Messier and the tutelage of Nemchinov.till this day every paycheck he earns should have a percentage given to those two.if he winds up getting cut he will sign with a late season playoff contender and scoring some big goals in the playoffs to ensure another deal in the future,thats when he actually decides to try,when the bread is on the table.
 
He won the Stanley Cup too early in his career with the Rangers riding the coattails of Messier, Graves, Leetch. Always gave glimpses of greatness but never delivering.
 
SkyFire47 said:
he seemed to deliver tonight. i'd consider that fire lit.
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If you actually saw the goals, you would chuckle.

Cause he would get those types of goals after getting called out. Another player does all the work, and he just mops up. At least now he can say to the GM 'na na nana na, i scored a goal' next time he confronts him....

And he nearly missed an open net on the second goal, the guy is epic. The replay should be up on NHL.com............actually yeah it is. :|
 
frankiefives said:
Another goal tonight. Maybe it actually worked...
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He better score on that empty netter:|

Two goals in a row where he scored by tapping it into a wide open net. Hardly the goals you want from a $5 million dollar man. The guy needs to dominate a game for once in his career......and then keep it up for more than a game.
 
Metrags said:
He better score on that empty netter:|

Two goals in a row where he scored by tapping it into a wide open net. Hardly the goals you want from a $5 million dollar man. The guy needs to dominate a game for once in his career......and then keep it up for more than a game.
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Nobody cares HOW he scores as long as he does so consistently.
 

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