Canadiens Set Price to Acquire Ilya Kovalchuk

Ilya Kovalchuk's career seemed to be over after the LA Kings terminated his contract earlier this year. Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin took a chance and signed Kovalchuk to a minimum two-way deal worth $700,000 for the rest of the season.

Kovalchuk has looked great as a Hab and now Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin has 3 weeks to decide to re-sign Kovalchuk or flip him at the trade deadline for what TSN's Pierre LeBrun reports is "no less" than a 2nd round pick in the upcoming draft.

The Carolina Hurricanes jump to mind right away that may be interested in Ilya Kovalchuk. They have two 2nd round picks this year to dangle in a trade, their own and the New York Rangers 2nd rounder as part of last year's Adam Fox trade. Hurricanes GM Don Waddell is familiar with Kovalchuk, having drafted him 1st overall in 2001 while GM with the Atlanta Thrashers. 

The New York Islanders are a team that has been rumored to be searching for scoring help. Kovalchuk would be a nice addition to Matt Barzal on the Islanders top line. New York GM Lou Lamoriello is familiar with Kovalchuk as well. Lamoriello signed Kovalchuk to a massive free agent deal with the New Jersey Devils in 2010 worth $102 million. Obviously Lou likes this player a bit.

The Calgary Flames are a team that has been linked to nearly every top-six player in the NHL this season. GM Brad Treliving cleared $4 million in cap space last month and has let it be known he is looking to upgrade his forward corps. The Flames have been reported to be shopping their 2nd round pick for quite some time now. It will depend on how close the Flames are to the playoff cutline that will determine if they will throw in a roster player along with the pick to get their top-six man. 

Is a 2nd round pick too much for a 36 year old former Rocket Richard winner?