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Alex Kovalev seeks to impress one more time to earn a new contract

Alex Kovalev

Ottawa Senators’ Alex Kovalev takes part in drills during NHL hockey training camp in Kanata, Ontario, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press,Adrian Wyld)

AP

If you asked ten fans what they thought of current Senators star Alex Kovalev, you’d likely get ten different takes on him. In his career as a Ranger, Penguin, Hab, and Senator he’s found ways to both dazzle and frustrate the hometown fans. As he begins his 18th season in the league coming off of ACL surgery, he knows he’ll have to impress to be able to earn another contract next year in the NHL and it’s not something he’s worried about one way or another as he told Dave Stubbs of The Montreal Gazette.

And Kovalev, who still (sort of) jokes that he hopes to play until he’s 50, understands his NHL future rests squarely on his performance this season.

“Nobody can predict the future, but it would be great to still play in the league next year,” he said. “If I have a job, I’ll be happy. These days, it’s hard to sign a contract and nobody wants to play for free.

“But I’m fine either way. If I don’t find anything here, I guess I’ll go play in Russia for a bit. My first choice is to play here as long as I can.”

There will be no contract talks with the Senators once the puck drops on the 2010-11 season.

“I don’t like those discussions once we’re playing,” Kovalev said. “I just want to do my job.”

Having grown up not ever being a fan of a team Kovalev played for and watching as an interested observer instead, Alex Kovalev has always been a fascinating player and reminded me of fellow Russian Sergei Fedorov. Both players are tremendous talents with the abilities to make you jump out of your seat, meanwhile making you want to pull your hair out on other occasions when they appear to float through a game disinterested.

What’s stunning about Kovalev, aside from his stick handling skills, is that he’s 10 points away from joining the 1,000 career points club. From the kid who broke into the NHL the year before the New York Rangers Stanley Cup season to the cagey veteran looking to bring the same success to Canada’s capital city, it’s remarkable to see him still going and able to bring it at a high level. The Senators are hoping he can still do it on a rebuilt knee for at least one more season.