Kovalchuk Chokes On Shoot Out Attempt (video)

Added on Nov 11, 2010 by J Merrill in

NHL

I understand that mistakes happen, I understand that the surface of the ice can sometimes be as smooth as a piece of microwave bacon, and I understand sometimes pressure just gets the better of you. You lose all that slack when you just signed a contract for 100 million dollars.

Now, if the Devils had 3 losses, and Ilya Kovalchuk was lighting up the lamp 4 times a week, we wouldn’t be coming down on him like this. The bad news is the New Jersey Devils are falling to pieces, and Kovy was supposed to help them be better. Kovalchuk has zero goals in his last seven games, and three for the season. He is currently ranked 146th in the points category with 8, and when you have a play like the one below, you have to expect to be chastised. Below you will see Kovalchuk’s impression of the New Jersey Devil’s season so far :

Thats what reportedly 6.6 million gets you in New Jersey these days. It actually cost the Devils another 3 million, and a draft pick, because of the contract circus that took place in the off season. The Devils are currently 30th overall in goals per game, 25th overall with goals against, 29th overall in power play percentage, and 18th overall in penalty killing. When you add that all up for the 4-10-2 Devils, that puts you in last place in the 2011 Atlantic Division Standings.

Kovy is supposed to be a difference maker in these games, specifically in tough moments, and he isn’t producing at all. He says of the play “The puck rolled off my stick,” but thats a tough pill for me to swallow. I am not saying Kovy was throwing a game for the Devils, but IF a player was going to throw a game, it would look something like that.

Devils Coach MacLean said He doesn’t want to be in that situation. “He wants to score. He is a prideful guy and he’s just going through a tough time. You have to hang with it and he will come out of it.”