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New Jersey Devils Trade Partners For Ilya Kovalchuk: Florida Panthers

By Nick Villano |
Jan 9, 2017; Newark, NJ, USA; The Florida Panthers celebrate a goal by Florida Panthers right wing Reilly Smith (18) during the first period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2017; Newark, NJ, USA; The Florida Panthers celebrate a goal by Florida Panthers right wing Reilly Smith (18) during the first period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

The Florida Panthers are one of many teams that have been rumored to have interest in Ilya Kovalchuk. The New Jersey Devils could get a good return from the NHL’s southern-most team.

One of the biggest storylines of the NHL offseason will be over in just a few weeks. Ilya Kovalchuk will either sign with the New Jersey Devils and get traded or go back to Russia for one more year.

One of the early rumors tied Kovalchuk to the Florida Panthers. The Russian sniper apparently wants to either play in Florida or New York, although that rumor has changed with time, but TSN’s Bob McKenzie says he believes Kovalchuk to the Panthers could be a thing.

He makes another point, saying that the lack of state tax could make Kovalchuk’s contract more valuable than in other markets.

The Panthers are in a unique situation when it comes to its contracts. That could hurt the chances they could trade Kovalchuk, unless the trade alleviates some of those contract woes. The Panthers will have $21 million in cap space. Well, they will in 2021. The team has seven contracts that go through the 2021-22 season. It’s great to have most of your talent signed long term, but it hurts when that talent didn’t get you to the playoffs last season.

That being said, the usual option to trade for a restricted free agent or a guy the Panthers can’t sign may not work here. Mark Pysyk and Alex Petrovic are both decent defenseman, but would not give the Devils a big upgrade to what the team already has. Michael Sgarbossa is a depth guy at best. Again, the Devils have plenty of guys who provide depth. They need players who can do much more than that.

The Devils can ask for a lot from the Panthers. Right winger Reilly Smith has no clauses on his contract, so he’d be easy to move if the Panthers want. He broke out big last season with 25 goals, but dropped off back to 15. That’s not a lot of production for $5 million per season, but he’s still 26 years old and entering his prime.

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Michael Matheson would be a very good addition to the Devils defense, and could provide another offensive force from the blue line. Matheson plays a great two-way game, and would be a welcomed addition. The Panthers have one more year left on his entry-level deal. They may use him to turn a short-term solution to their problems, something Kovalchuk can do.

It’s more than likely if the Panthers are interested, the team would want to send 2018 draft picks and prospects in exchange for Kovalchuk. That likely won’t be enough, but some players on the roster would make interesting additions to the Devils. Would they be game changers? No, but if the Devils can sign or trade for one without Kovalchuk then the added players will only help them end their playoff drought.

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