Alexei Kovalev during a Montreal Canadiens alumni game. The Russian displayed hands the NHL had never seen and was regarded as one of the most skilled players of his era. Kovalev recently held a hockey game for his charity which featured several NHL alumni including Roman Hamrlik, Mathieu Darche and Georges Laraque, and he provided fans with a pleasant surprise during the event.
Fans thought the year-old was missing, but it turned out he had disguised himself and rocked the number 29 instead of his usual As he was shedding his makeup following the event, Kovalev discussed the lack of creativity in hockey today. Act 2 lasted all of 66 more frustrating games the following season. Kovalev was clearly unhappy and it showed in his deteriorating game. The fans turned on him, booing him consistently.
The reunion was a mistake, not at all meant to be. Perhaps it never was for the Rangers and Kovalev. Then-general manager Glen Sather mercifully traded him to the Montreal Canadiens for prospect Jozef Balej and a second-round pick March 3, I wish it did. I wish I did a better job. The experience was a sad one for all involved, a forgettable final chapter in the place where it all began for Kovalev, where he appeared to be anything but overwhelmed and out of his element on the big stage during that magical spring of The story might have been even more disheartening had that failed reunion marked the end for Kovalev.
Perhaps exasperatingly for the Rangers, that turned out not to be the case. Kovalev recorded only a goal and two assists in 12 regular-season games for the Canadiens that season, but his playoff self emerged again, with six goals and four assists in 11 postseason games. Given their first experience of trading him away, perhaps the Rangers should have known what was to come. Though injury struck again in , limiting him to 69 games, Kovalev recorded 65 points.
He followed that up with a Rangers-like season in , when he managed only 47 points and a minus rating in 73 games. The ensuing bounce-back , though, probably would have never occurred in a Rangers sweater. Then 34 years old, his plus rating tied a career-high. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. Try refreshing your browser, or tap here to see other videos from our team. Latest National Stories. Email Address There was an error, please provide a valid email address.
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