Kovalev Unhappy?

According to recent reports posted in the Sovietsky, Kovalev is grumbling. But what can be more Russian than that?

According to the report (which is sure to be denied), Kovalev feels that he was treated unfairly by the Canadiens management. He spoke briefly of cliques in the Habs dressing room, but more over he felt that the coaching staff did not play him enough. Blah, blah, blah, whine, bitch, moan...

Of note, some speculate that this is why he "suddenly" had vertigo and a sore elbow that forced him to miss 9 games overall this season.

At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what he said or didn't say. Nor does it matter what management did or didn't do. The fact of the matter is: Kovalev had a terrible year by his own standards.

So now the rumours are flying that Gainey will buy him out. Well, I seriously doubt that will happen... First, there are 2 years and $9M left on his salary, so that will amount to $1.5M per year off the cap for the next 4 years. Second, Kovalev has an "I'll show them" type of attitude. So if everybody told him how crappy he was this year, he may just turn around and tear up the league next year (even though it's not a contract year).

Careful not to wake the Lion... The Artiste is tempermental...

Add to all of this that Gainey has said that he will go out and get some talent this off-season and maybe, just maybe, Kovalev will finally have the tools.