Quoting: TMLBRIAN
Montreal fans have said it would take about a 2nd round pick for them to consider trading Kovacevic. I doubt you can get him for a 4th rounder. He is under league minimum for this year and for next year.
Exactly.
If you're an NHL GM, and seeing a very reliable, 6'5" solid RHD on the chpeaest contract for this year AND the next, while having a +2 rating on a brutal team... there is no way you trade him.
Players in the cap era are not just... players. They are players-contract.
Fans know that quickly when a contract is horrible, for instance, Josh Anderson.
Josh Anderson at league minimum would be welcomed in every single NHL team, playing on the 4th line as a bruising, fast horse.
But with his contract, he would not be picked up on waivers.
Who wants Morgan Reilly? Every NHL team!!!
Reilly @ 12 million AAV for another 7 years? Mmmhhh... probably zero NHL teams.
Reilly @ 950k AAV for another 7 years? All teams.
So in Kovacevic's case, he is the opposite of a cap dump.
He is giving the Habs a value incredible higher than what his contract shows. And for another year. He's as close to free as can be.
(He should fire his agent though lol)
Cheers mate, hope all is well for you!