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Canadiens trade Ilya Kovalchuk to Capitals – Montreal Gazette

Published

5 years ago

February 23, 2020

Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin got a head start on Monday’s 3 p.m. NHL trade deadline when he dealt the 36-year-old Russian on Sunday night.

Ilya Kovalchuk is no longer a Canadien.

The Canadiens announced Sunday night that general manager Marc Bergevin had traded the 36-year-old Russian winger to the Washington Capitals in exchange for a third-round pick at this year’s NHL Draft, which will be held at the Bell Centre.

The NHL trade deadline is at 3 p.m. Monday.

The Canadiens now have 13 picks at this year’s draft, including one in the first round, three in the second and two in the third.

Kovalchuk got off to a hot start with the Canadiens after signing with them as a free agent on Jan. 3, but he had been slumping recently and his trade value was obviously dropping. Kovalchuk picked up an assist in Saturday’s 3-0 win over the Senators in Ottawa to end a six-game pointless streak, and has scored only one goal in the last 12 games.

In 22 games with the Canadiens, Kovalchuk posted 6-7-13 totals and was plus-6.

Ilya Kovalchuk got off to a hot start with the Canadiens after signing with them as a free agent on Jan. 3, but he had been slumping recently and his trade value was obviously dropping.

John Mahoney /

Montreal Gazette

Since joining the Canadiens, Kovalchuk made it clear how much he enjoyed playing in Montreal, but he wouldn’t speculate on whether he might sign a new contract with the team before becoming an unrestricted free agent on July 1. There were reports Bergevin and Kovalchuk’s agent, J.P. Barry, had discussions about a new deal.

“I’m not J.P., I’m not Marc. You have to ask them,” Kovalchuk told reporters when asked about those reports Saturday in Ottawa. “I’ve said multiple times I love everything here. It’s a great place to be.”

Kovalchuk had been listed at No. 7 on TSN Hockey’s Trade Bait List Sunday afternoon, while Canadiens centre Nate Thompson was at No. 35 and defenceman Jeff Petry was at No. 40.

TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported Sunday night that the Canadiens intend to be bidders on Kovalchuk on July 1 if he doesn’t re-sign with the Capitals and becomes a free agent.

The Habs intend to be bidders on Kovalchuk come July 1 if he’s free and hasn’t re-signed with the Caps. They genuinely loved what he brought to the organization on and off the ice over the past two months.

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) February 24, 2020

Kovalchuk started this season with the Los Angeles Kings in the second season of a three-year, US$18.75-million contract, but had only 3-6-9 totals in 17 games and was minus-10 before being put on unconditional waivers and having the remainder of his contract terminated on Dec. 17.

The Canadiens, who were hit hard by injuries early in the new year, decided to take a chance on Kovalchuk and signed him to a one-year, two-way contract that pays him a prorated US$700,000 in the NHL. LeBrun reported the Canadiens will keep 50 per cent of Kovalchuk’s league minimum salary-cap hit for the remainder of this season, which is about $76,000, since the Capitals are up against the Cap and every dollar helps them.

Not kidding when I say this, the Habs retained 50 percent on Kovalchuk’s league minimum salary and cap hit. So about 76k. Every dime counts for the cap-challenged Captials.

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) February 24, 2020

Kovalchuk was selected by the Atlanta Thrashers with the No. 1 pick at the 2001 NHL Draft. In 919 career NHL games, he has 442 goals and 430 assists for 872 points. The Capitals will be Kovalchuk’s fifth NHL team after stints with Atlanta, the New Jersey Devils, the Kings and Canadiens.

Kovalchuk has never won a Stanley Cup, but will have a good chance with the Capitals, who beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-3 on Sunday to move into first place in the Metropolitan Division with a 38-18-6 record.

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Sports

Sports betting roundup: NFL and college football were all about the favourites

Published

17 hours ago

November 4, 2024

Anne Joseph

The past weekend of football was all about the favourites.

The favoured teams went 13-1 straight up and 10-4 against the spread in the NFL. In college football, the three most teams bet at the BetMGM Sportsbook in terms of number of bets and money all won and covered. All three were favourites.

Trends of the Week

The three most bet college teams that won and covered on Saturday were Ohio State (-3.5) vs. Penn State, Indiana (-7.5) at Michigan State and Oregon (-14.5) at Michigan. Penn State has now lost seven straight home games as underdogs. The Nittany Lions were up 10-0 in the first quarter and were 3.5-point favourites at the time. The Buckeyes won 17-10.

In the NFL, the three most bet teams in terms of number of bets and money were the Washington Commanders (-4) at the New York Giants, the Detroit Lions (-2.5) at the Green Bay Packers and the Buffalo Bills (-6) vs. the Miami Dolphins. All three teams won, but only two of the three covered the spread as Buffalo beat Miami 30-27.

When it came to the players with the most bets to score a touchdown on Sunday, only two of the five reached the end zone — Chase Brown (-125) and Taysom Hill (+185). David Montgomery (-140), Brian Robinson Jr. (+110) and AJ Barner (+500) did not score.

Upsets of the Week

The biggest upset in the NFL was the Carolina Panthers coming from behind to beat the New Orleans Saints 23-22. New Orleans closed as a 7-point favourite and took in 76% of the bets and 79% of the money in against-the-spread betting. The Saints fired head coach Dennis Allen following the loss. They have now lost seven straight games after starting the year 2-0.

Arguably the biggest upset in college football was South Carolina beating No. 10 Texas A&M 44-20 at home. Texas A&M closed as a 2.5-point favourite and took in 59% of the bets and 58% of the money.

Coming up

Right after the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the New York Yankees to win the World Series, odds for the 2025 World Series were released.

The Dodgers have the best odds at +400, while the Atlanta Braves and Yankees are next at +800.

The Baltimore Orioles and Philadelphia Phillies round out the top five, both at +1100.

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This column was provided to The Associated Press by BetMGM online sportsbook.

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Sports

Longtime rivals Ovechkin, Crosby join Necas as NHL’s three stars of the week

Published

17 hours ago

November 4, 2024

Anne Joseph

NEW YORK – Washington Capitals left-wing Alex Ovechkin, Carolina Hurricanes centre Martin Necas and Pittsburgh Penguins centre Sidney Crosby have been named the NHL’s three stars of the week.

Ovechkin had a league-leading five goals and nine points in four games.

The 39-year-old Capitals captain has 14 points in 11 games this season, and his 860 career goals are just 34 shy of Wayne Gretzky’s record.

Necas shared the league lead with nine points (three goals, six assists) in three games.

Crosby factored on seven of the Penguins’ eight total goals scoring four goals and adding three assists in three appearances. The 37-year-old Penguins captain leads his team with 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in 13 games this season.

Crosby and Ovechkin, longtime rivals since entering the league together in 2005-06, will meet for the 70th time in the regular season and 95th time overall when Pittsburgh visits Washington on Friday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 4, 2024.

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Oliveira, Mitchell named as finalists for CFL outstanding player award

Published

5 days ago

October 31, 2024

Anne Joseph

TORONTO – Running back Brady Oliveira of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell are the finalists for the CFL’s outstanding player award.

Oliveira led the CFL in rushing this season with 1,353 yards while Mitchell was the league leader in passing yards (5,451) and touchdowns (32).

Oliveira is also the West Division finalist for the CFL’s top Canadian award, the second straight year he’s been nominated for both.

Oliveira was the CFL’s outstanding Canadian in 2023 and the runner-up to Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for outstanding player.

Defensive lineman Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund of the Montreal Alouettes is the East Division’s top Canadian nominee.

Voting for the awards is conducted by the Football Reporters of Canada and the nine CFL head coaches.

The other award finalists include: defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr. of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Montreal linebacker Tyrice Beverette (outstanding defensive player); Saskatchewan’s Logan Ferland and Toronto’s Ryan Hunter (outstanding lineman); B.C. Lions kicker Sean Whyte and Toronto returner Janarion Grant (special teams); and Edmonton Elks linebacker Nick Anderson and Hamilton receiver Shemar Bridges (outstanding rookie).

The coach of the year finalists are Saskatchewan’s Corey Mace and Montreal’s Jason Maas.

The CFL will honour its top individual performers Nov. 14 in Vancouver.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 31.

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