TRADING KOVALEV IS A SMART MOVE

The Montreal Canadiens struggles have been well documented. The floundering club's GM, Bob Gainey, even went as far as sending one of their top offensive players--Alex Kovalev--home while on a brief road trip because of his indifferent attitude as much as his poor play. Kovalev, MVP of this season's all-star game, is probably in his final month in Montreal, as the Habs will most likely look to deal the aging superstar before the March 4 trade deadline.

Kovalev's act has grown stale before, and his on ice conduct has rubbed many the wrong way as well. In the 1995 playoffs, Kovalev, then with the New York Rangers, went down in a heap after taking a one hander to the back. Joe Sakic then scored for the Nordiques, but the goal was disallowed because of the Rangers' forward's "injury." Sportsmanship be damned. In 2003, Kovalev grabbed his wrist in pain when Boston forward Travis Green nicked his glove in overtime of game four of the Habs first round playoff series. Kovalev gave up on the play, electing to shake his wrist in pain and complain rather than play the puck. As Kovalev was putting on a show for the refs, he collided with defenseman Sheldon Souray, taking him out of the play. Glen Murray of the Bruins grabbed the loose puck and ultimately scored, giving Boston a 3-1 series lead. Thanks Alex.



Theres a reason that a player as talented as Kovalev has bounced around a bit. He's made two stints in New York and two more in Pittsburgh before coming to Montreal in 2003-04. And it appears his tenure with the Habs is drawing to a close as well. Trading the 35-year-old is a smart move for Gainey. The Canadiens clearly don't have the team they were expecting this season, and Kovalev is one player who's age, and cap hit make him a prime candidate to be moved. Montreal still has the pieces to make a run this season--however doubtful that may be at this point--without him, and building for the future should be the team's top priority. Kovalev's attitude will probably deter Gainey from re-signing him anyway, as he becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Kovalev's attention grabbing attitude can clash with the "win at all costs" circus in Montreal. It appears his act is finally starting to wear thin, and the five year marriage between player and team appears to finally be coming to a close.