With Ron Hextall’s Guidance, Jonathan Bernier Turning in All-Star Season for Monarchs – AHL – NESN.com

Even with the solid goaltending, the Monarchs still need to score, and Voynov has proven a capable threat from the blue line, sitting at fourth in the team with 21 points. The number is impressive on its own, but when you consider that he’s a 19-year-old kid from Russia who is still learning the English language, it takes on an added dimension.

“For a kid, to be able to play at that level and really be an effective player at that level, that’s a feat,” Hextall said. “It really is. Essentially, he’s a boy and he’s playing against men.”

Morris has also been impressed with Voynov.

“Slava’s a real complete defenseman,” Morris said. “Being a young player, you can see a great deal of upside. He breaks the puck out smartly and makes intelligent plays with the puck on his stick. Defensively, he’s such a good skater that he’s tough to beat. … I see a bright future for him.”

via With Ron Hextall’s Guidance, Jonathan Bernier Turning in All-Star Season for Monarchs – AHL – NESN.com.

Kovalchuk Trade Offers–What Could a Trade Bring to Atlanta? – Bird Watchers Anonymous

Here’s a good one from a Thrashers blog, with my comments:

LA gets Kovalchuk

So far so good. I like it.

ATL gets Braydon [sic] Schenn –

Now hold on!

Thomas Hickey –

First of all, the guy’s name is spelled B-R-A- — what? HICKEY? Instead of Schenn? AND SCHENN? Is that all you want?

Wayne Simmonds –

I have to assume this is a practical joke at this point. Let’s read on and enjoy:

– and a conditional 1st.

Wait, we give Atlanta a conditional first? What’s the condition? If we ever finish in the bottom ten, we send them that pick?

This doesn’t really affect the Kings’ roster while adding a huge scorer in Kovy.

First of all: HAHAHAHA. Second: Simmonds is the Kings best RW the remainder of the season, certainly in the top-six forwards, and at worst a fixture on the stopper line. He’s a huge presence. He’s a fan favorite. He’s still a kid. And he is getting better every day. Schenn will not join the Kings (or Manchester) until his junior season is over, but I wouldn’t rule out him making an impact on the big club. He came close to making the team out of camp. Who else did you get? Oh, Hickey. Well, he’s hurt right now. So that part of it won’t impact the Kings roster this season. I’ll give you that.

LA has so many young prospects I would think that while losing two of their best

Three.

it still wouldn’t hurt their long term plan whether Kovy resigns or not.

WHETHER HE RE-SIGNS OR NOT?? Wait, we give up all that and he hasn’t agreed to re-sign?

A reasonable offer for a Kovalchuk rental would be something like: nothing. Not even the fee for the gaming license, which I would appreciate if you would put up personally.

original trade “offer” via Kovalchuk Trade Offers–What Could a Trade Bring to Atlanta? – Bird Watchers Anonymous.