Kovy + Defense=Success?

Thursday night marked the first time in almost two weeks that New Jersey Devils fans had something to cheer about, with the announcement that Ilya Kovalchuck was headed to New Jersey. Making the blockbuster deal isn’t something Jersey fans are used to; however, they are used to general manager Lou Lamoriello making the right deal at the right time to push the team in the right direction.

Since the start of the franchise the Devils have been about defense, and let’s just say Kovalchuk has not been known for his great defense prowess. Now, as many drool over his electric offensive ability and give the Devils an added sniper that they’ve been in dire need of, Kovalchuk’s commitment to defensive play will surely be tested as long as he’s in New Jersey.

Even though Zach Parise is a superstar in the making, he’s not quite there yet, so picking up Kovalchuk gives the Devils something they’ve never had before: one of the top offensive attackers in the NHL. The Devils give Kovalchuk something he’s never had before: a stable organization. This is why the marriage between Kovalchuk and a defensive team like the Devils will work.

In Atlanta, Kovalchuk was THE guy, not only in his scoring ability but also as the face of the franchise, and taking on the captaincy seemed to frustrate Kovy at times when he wasn’t succeeding. And perhaps that pressure just wasn’t meant for him and he needed to get away from it, just as Jersey fans saw when Patrik Elias was named captain back in 2006. Now in New Jersey all Kovalchuk has to worry about is playing his game.

From the front office with Lamoriello, down to the guys in the locker room like Brodeur and Langenbrunner, New Jersey is loaded with veteran leadership that will be there to make sure Kovy follows the Devils’ way. So if Kovalchuk ever decides to get lazy and not play an all around game, offensively and defensively, you’d be sure that head coach Jacques Lemaire or any of the veterans wouldn’t just let it slide by.

As I mentioned before with Parise, Kovalchuk will have plenty of help offensively. From budding stars like Parise and Travis Zajac, to wily veterans like Patrik Elias and Brian Rolston, New Jersey will have their most potent offensive attack since its ‘A-Line’ days.

Now as the season progresses everyone will find out if the deal that Lamoriello always seems to make work will work again. Whether it was picking up Dough Gilmour, Alexander Mogilny or Joe Nieuwendyk, Lamoriello knows how to push the right buttons to lead the Devils to Lord Stanley’s Cup.

And as for whether the Devils should resign Kovy after this season, or even if they’ll be able to resign him, let’s just finish this season first. But don’t be surprised that by the end of the season Kovalchuk will be a model Devil, playing just as hard in his own zone as in the offensive zone.