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Quick hits: Alex Kovalev would love to return to Montreal

Buffalo Sabres v Pittsburgh Penguins

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 08: Alexei Kovalev #72 of the Pittsburgh Penguins looks on against the Buffalo Sabres at Consol Energy Center on March 8, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Justin K. Aller

Here are three interesting little tidbits from around the NHL that aren’t quite fit for a full post.


  • Montreal columnist Dave Stubbs apparently had a lengthy discussion with Alex Kovalev, who said that he’d “love” to play with the Montreal Canadiens again. Of course, Stubbs was also quick to point out what most of us probably feel: the Habs likely wouldn’t have the same interest. That being said, Kovalev is a classic example of a Russian player who generated a rather ridiculous amount of heat. For all the talk of him being “enigmatic"/not caring, the guy has 1,024 points in his NHL career. Some wouldn’t mind watching a Kovalev retirement tour and his most recent successes came in Montreal.

  • Sure, the Calgary Flames’ run to the 2004 Stanley Cup finals was powered most by Jarome Iginla and Miikka Kiprusoff, but many of us also associate it with lifetime-best work from smaller guys such as Martin Gelinas. The Calgary Sun reports that the Flames are likely to hire him as an assistant coach. Gelinas would join another assistant (Jacques Cloutier) and goalie coach (Clint Malarchuk) as Bob Hartley’s coaching staff.

(Gelinas totally scored a goal in Game 6, am I right?)


  • Adrian Dater reports that the Colorado Avalanche are likely to cut ties with depth center Jay McClement. As Dater points out, McClement won’t fill the box scores, yet his solid defense and faceoff skills should draw interest from another team.