Kovalchuk’s Canadian Lovefest

When is the last time that a Southeast Division player received two glowing articles on a Canadian website, and written by two different Canadian writers in the same week? I have no idea, but I do know it happened this week for Ilya Kovalchuk. The first came a few days ago, and is by Jim Kelley:

In addition, Kovalchuk has twice netted a hat trick on the road this season. He also has his team, an acknowledged abomination when it comes to defence and goaltending, tied for second place with Tampa in the Southeast Division despite a horrendous 0-6 start, the loss of No .1 goaltender Kari Lehtonen to a reasonably long-term injury and the sacking of coach Bob Hartley.

Want more? Well, Kovalchuk notched 16 points (nine goals, seven assists) in his last 12 games and his team is 3-0-1 in December and was acknowledged as the league’s player of the month for November. While he never stopped working under Hartley, now that his team has followed his lead, it is 14-7-1 since Hartley was sacked and replaced by general manager Don Waddell. Most of the players in Atlanta credit Kovalchuk for that. They also note that he’s big, strong, fast and, despite rumours to the contrary, uses his linemates and the ice well.

And he’s getting better.

The article continues, and is probably one of the best arguments for Kovalchuk as an All-Star Game starter, and as a Hart candidate.

The second comes from Pierre Lebrun:

Sidney Crosby is the face of the league and Vincent Lecavalier may be the best player right now but the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators face the NHL’s most potent goal scorer this weekend.

And they better beware. Atlanta Thrashers star winger Ilya Kovalchuk is on a mission. The NHL’s leading goal scorer with 24 is on pace to become the first player since Mario Lemieux in 1995-96 to eclipse the 60-goal barrier.

“I would trade all my goals for a playoff spot. Whatever it takes,” Kovalchuk told The Canadian Press after practice on Thursday. “But when I score we usually win the game, that’s what I’m here for.”

The brash, young Russian sniper that first invaded the NHL as an 18-year-old six seasons ago has grown up. He’s got an `A’ on his jersey for the first time in his NHL career and he’s acting like it. He’s scoring more goals than ever but it’s with a purpose.

“This is the maturity in him,” said Thrashers GM and head coach Don Waddell. “He loves to score goals, there’s no doubt about it. But more importantly, he wants to win games. He wants to bring this team back to the playoffs and then deep into the playoffs.

Those articles speak high praises about anyone, and the fact that it is about a SE player, and by two Canadians, makes it even more impressive.