The Devils have never been a team to trade for a rental, or to make decisions based off of lack of success in a small sample size. As a team who has been 3-8 since January 12th, and has slipped all the way down to 21st in goals per game, the Devils realized they needed an offensive burst.
Ilya Kovalchuk is that burst, and adding the leading goal scorer since 2001 should be of great help to the leagues’ top defense. The Devils rank 1st in goals against average and have the all-time winningest goalkeeper in net, so adding Kovalchuk will give them a much different dimension and should assist Zach Parise and the Devils offense.
The reasoning behind trading up and comer Niclas Bergfors, Johnny Oduya, Patrice Cormier, and a first round pick for Kovalchuk and defensemen Anssi Salmela was that the Devils realize their window of opportunity for another Stanely Cup is shrinking. Martin Brodeur is 37 years old the team has yet to go deep into the playoffs since the lockout. Brodeur will not be around forever, and this team seemed poised to be one of the top teams in the East from the start of the season. They will only have so many opportunities like this and they realize that a goal scorer like Kovalchuk can put them over the top.
Despite the Kovalchuk trade, the Devils offense still ranks behind the Capitols and Penguins in the East. However, neither the Caps nor the Pens have Brodeur tending goal, so the Devils made a bold decision that can pay dividends.
If the Devils sign the 26 year old Kovalchuk, this could go down as the biggest transaction in franchise history. The Russian born Kovalchuk has had defensive troubles in the past, but his ability and athleticism should make for a relatively smooth transition. Ilya Kovalchuk will join the captain of Team U.S.A. Jamie Langenbrunner, alternate captain of Team U.S.A. Zach Parise, the captain of the Czech Olympic team Patrik Elias, and Canadain starting goalie Martin Brodeur in the Olympics in a little more than a week.
The playoff experience Kovalchuk lacks is made up in his performance in national games for Russia. He has helped Russia win the past two world championships and knows how to play under pressure.
The Devils made an uncharacteristically risky move but one that Lou Lamoriello deemed necessary. The Devils are a trap team that now has two legitimate scoring threats and although they lost Oduya, the Devils are still an extremely strong defensive team. Trading for Kovalchuk gives Marty an opportunity to win another championship, and to help build his resume as the best goalie of all-time.
