| Position: | Right Wing |  |
| Shoots: | Left | |
| Height: | 6’2" | |
| Weight: | 210 lbs | |
| Birth Date: | 02/24/1973 | |
| Birth Place: | Togliatti, Russia | |
| Acquired: | Trade with N.Y. Rangers in 2004 (Alex Kovalev for Jozef Balej and a 2nd round pick 2004) |
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| Draft Team & Year: | N.Y. Rangers in 1991 | |
| Draft Round: | 1st | |
| Overall Choice: | 15th | |
| Salary: | $4.500.000 |
Scouting Report
| Strengths: | One of the most creative players in the game, and often can make something out of nothing. |
| Weaknesses: | Tends to fall into slumps like other elite scorers, and often appears disinterested when his head’s not in the game. |
| Projected Role: | 1st line right wing |
Biography
| Kovalev is arguably one of the most dangerous players with the puck in the entire NHL, and is usually a consistent 30-goal scorer. He has spent time with the Penguins and the Rangers (twice), before being dealt to the Canadiens at the Trade Deadline last season. He struggled to put up points the past 2 seasons, but found his niche in the playoffs, scoring 10 points in 11 games, 2nd on the team, while playing with a severe wrist injury. As it stands, it appears the Canadiens are keen on re-signing Kovalev, and he appears anxious to return, but nothing had been completed prior to the lockout. |