Ottawa Senators forward Alex Kovalev is playing his best hockey of the season, collecting eight points in six games since the All-Star break.
So it should come as no surprise, that his improved play has led to plenty of trade speculation about the veteran winger in the days leading up to the NHL trade deadline.
“It would be great to win the Cup, but this situation right now, I’m thinking just about playing for this team. I’m not really thinking about where I’m going to go or where I’m going to be in a couple of weeks,” Kovalev said on Tuesday morning.
The Senators seemed to signal a move towards a full-fledged rebuild by trading fan favourite Mike Fisher to Nashville last week. Kovalev, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, would appear to be a perfect asset for general manager Bryan Murray to try and trade before the deadline on Feb. 28. The 37-year-old says the players in the Senators dressing room are aware of the consequences of their disappointing season, which has the club in last place in the Eastern conference.
“Everybody understands we’re not the same team we were last season and everybody knows that some changes or some movement are going to be made,” explained Kovalev. “So I’m sure a lot of guys that have been around this team for a long time, they don’t want to go anywhere. But sometimes, it’s better to have a little change and start – particularly for the young guys – start the career fresh and hopefully it works for you that way.”
Kovalev indicated that he has not spoken to Murray in the past couple of days regarding his future in Ottawa. The 18-year veteran has played with four different teams during his career and was a key contributor to the New York Rangers Stanley Cup victory back in 1994. So all of the trade talk, rumors and innuendo don’t faze him in the least.
“I’ve been around for a long time and I’ve been traded a few times and it’s not new for me,” Kovalev added. “For me, staying here or going to another team, the job is still the same being a hockey player to help whatever team you’re playing for. Right now, I’m still here and trying to do the best I can.”
