Kovalev Out for Season … UFA Defenseman … Maple Leaf Questions this Off-Season

Mark Easson

15 years ago

Don Brennan of Canoe Sports: The Ottawa Senators have lost Alex Kovalev for the remained of the season with a completely torn ACL. He has surgery scheduled for 2 weeks, and rehab should be 3-4 months.

Kevin Allen of the USA Today: Allen lists his top 15 free agent defenseman. Paul Martin will likely be looking for $5 million a season. If the Preds are re-sign Dan Hamhuis, which they’d like too, he’d probably have to take a bit of a hometown discount. It seems like Sergei Gonchar will take less than market value to remain with the Penguins.

Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun: Some names/questions that should be in the news regarding the Toronto Maple Leafs this off-season. Will Tomas Kaberle be traded? Will RFA Nikolai Kulemin return to Russia for more money? What number will Jonas Gustavsson re-sign for? If Kaberle isn’t dealt, will Francois Beauchemin be moved? Is it time for Mikhail Grabovski to move on, even for a mid-round pick? Will Dave Nonis leave to become a GM elsewhere? Potential trade partners could be the Blackhawks and Flyers, both who will have some salary cap decisions. Kris Versteeg, Patrick Sharp and Scott Hartnell could be potential trade targets.