Hockey Inside/Out » 0247

Halak, Kovalev in the spotlight

Dave Stubbs — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 04:10:02 +0000

Some reading as the Canadiens prepare to face Vancouver on Tuesday:

• Halak No. 1 in goal, for now: Hickey
• Re-energized Kovalev focuses on the positive: Stubbs column
• Gloom meets Canucks in Montreal: MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun

From Monday:

• Schneider bolsters Canadiens power play: Hickey

From Sunday:

• Three-point night for Kovalev in return: Stubbs

Ill Kovalev doubtful, Stewart called up

Dave Stubbs — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 18:02:42 +0000

Alex Kovalev will be a game-time decision for tonight’s contest against the Nashville Predators, Kovy having returned home from the Bell Centre feeling under the weather. He didn’t practice yesterday. The Canadiens have called up forward Gregory Stewart from Hamilton in case Kovalev isn’t fit to play.

Stewart would play on a line with Kyle Chipchura and Steve Bégin, and Matt D’Agostini would take Kovalev’s place with Tomas Plekanec and Max Pacioretty.

Lafleur: Re-sign Kovalev, not Koivu

Dave Stubbs — Mon, 26 May 2008 13:36:50 +0000

Canadiens captain Saku Koivu and star forward Alex Kovalev are both headed into the final year of their contracts, both unrestricted free agents on July 1, 2009.

In his weekly Journal de Montréal column today, Canadiens icon Guy Lafleur suggests the club focus on re-signing Kovalev and let Koivu go, saying: "I have the conviction that Kovalev is more useful to the Canadiens than the captain, especially if (Kovalev) continues to play as he did this year."

Lafleur adds: "Not that Koivu doesn’t have his place on the team or that he hasn’t given everything to the Habs during his career in Montreal. But business is business and the best possible team must be given to the fans.

"In this regard, Koivu is an excellent (chip) who could bring interesting dividends (in return)."

Koivu will earn $4.75 million next season, $250,000 more than Kovalev.

From nhlnumbers.com, worth a bookmark:

Hilarious!

Mike Boone — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 18:45:13 +0000

Canadiens fans need a couple good laughs today.

And here they are:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=k-JPMFuHu6w

http://youtube.com/user/directorpictures

Rejuvenated Kovalev, youth lead Canadiens

Dave Stubbs — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 12:14:51 +0000

The Gazette’s Pat Hickey includes the reborn Alex Kovalev and a terrific youth movement among his 10 reasons for the Canadiens’ success this season.

MacGregor’s fine study of Alex Kovalev

Dave Stubbs — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 15:42:33 +0000

Here’s a brilliant feature on Alex Kovalev in today’s Globe & Mail by the award-winning columnist and author Roy MacGregor. Don’t miss it.

Kovalev DVD to benefit needy kids

Dave Stubbs — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 12:42:09 +0000

Alex Kovalev has put his heart into a project designed to help youngsters on two fronts. The Canadiens’ leading scorer has teamed up with Quebec firm Imavision to produce a video demonstrating the hockey skills and training exercises he uses.

While he hopes that young hockey players will benefit from the two-disc DVD, he’s also hoping sales will help youngsters with heart problems.

Kovalev, who leases a Bell Centre loge for the use of sick and underprivileged children, is donating 100 per cent of the profits from the DVD project to charities that promote cardiac care for children.

It’s something dear to him from his youth in Togliatti, Russia, having been diagnosed with a heart ailment when he was a boy.

Kovalev honoured again; prospect Maxwell signs

Dave Stubbs — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 22:51:55 +0000

Stop us if you’ve heard this one before: Alex Kovalev is the winner of the past month’s Molson Cup award based on three-star selections. It’s the fourth consecutive month Kovalev has won the award.

And the Canadiens today signed prospect Ben Maxwell to a three-year contract.

It’s time to focus on defence: Kovalev

Dave Stubbs — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 12:49:33 +0000

Canadiens sniper Alex Kovalev says the Canadiens must tighten up defensively and stop coughing up so many goals. And defenceman Mike Komisarek, used sparingly Saturday against Columbus, knows he’s a better player than he’s shown in recent games.

Kovalev’s thumb is fine

Dave Stubbs — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 20:26:07 +0000

For those of you still holding your breath, Canadiens’ flashy forward Alex Kovalev suffered no damage to speak of after being dinged in the right thumb by a shot that had him wincing in pain and dunking it in a cup of ice on the bench during Montreal’s 4-0 victory over Washington on Tuesday night.

Kovalev practised with the team today and will be in the lineup tomorrow in the Canadiens’ returm match against the Washington Capitals.

All-star vote: Markov top D, Huet’s lead narrows

Dave Stubbs — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 19:35:44 +0000

Canadiens defenceman Andrei Markov holds a 51,088-vote lead over Boston’s Zdeno Chara, continuing to lead all Eastern Conference rearguards in updated balloting for the NHL All-Star Game.

Netminder Cristobal Huet continues to lead New Jersey’s Martin Brodeur in the goaltending category, 122,228 votes to 120,537.

Captain Saku Koivu ranks seventh with voters for Eastern forwards, while write-in candidate Alex Kovalev is 12th.

Cast your ballot(s) here. And you’ll find the new NHL-released totals here.

Kovalev wins Molson Cup for November

Dave Stubbs — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 21:01:36 +0000

Canadiens forward Alex Kovalev is the winner of the Molson Cup player-of-the-month for November, based on three-star selection voting.

Kovalev wins Molson Cup for November: