“Potential” has always been the buzz word swarming around the 14 year career of Alexei Kovalev. After the New York Rangers made him the first Russian player selected in the draft’s opening round, his second season culminated with a dramatic Stanley Cup victory over fellow countryman Pavel Bure. Kovalev’s play elevated in each successive round of the 1994 Stanley Cup run and fans could only wonder where the wunderkind’s ceiling was.
Though his early career trajectory in Gotham aligns with that of New York legend, Derek Jeter, Kovalev’s later years in the Big Apple are more reminiscent of Jesse Barfield. Just as the Yankees cycled Barfield seamlessly with Mel Hall and Danny Tartabull, the Rangers rotated Kovalev in with talented, but interchangeable disappointments, Luc Robitaille and Petr Nedved. The lasting impression of Kovalev’s two stints on Broadway is that many Blueshirts fans still know how to yell “SHOOT!” in Russian.
As a Pittsburgh Penguin, Kovalev was not alone in how his success was inextricably linked to all-time great, Mario Lemieux. Between the hours of his career known as “Pre-Mario” and “After-Mario,” the difference in Kovalev’s game was as night and day. For three seasons with Super Mario, Kovalev averaged well over a point per game (1.18) and his goal scoring skyrocketed to over half a goal per game (.52). Over the remainder of his career, Kovalev posts a goal scoring rate under one-third (.31) and registers a more modest points per contest average (.73).
With the Montreal Canadiens, Kovalev again saw his game go through distinct phases. After an offensive eclipse in ’06-’07, Kovalev was maligned for apparently criticizing the organization. Approaching the twilight of his career this season, Kovalev has gone full moon crazy, rekindling his offensive prowess alongside linemates Tomas Plekanec and Andrei Kostitsyn. Kovalev is now the centerpiece of the offense and the focal point of the league’s best Powerplay. His contributions have brought the franchise to heights unseen since their ’93 Cup run, by lifting the offensive ceiling up off the shoulders of setup man Saku Koivu. Between Koivu’s leadership and Kovalev’s innovative offense, the Habs sport the type of leadership that the Ottawa Senators rode to a Stanley Cup Finals with Daniel Alfredsson.
Due to his regular season inconsistencies, Kovalev’s legacy will have to be built on playoff success. After a two point performance in Game 7 against the Boston Bruins, he tallied a pair of goals in the series opener versus the Philadelphia Flyers. Kovalev has never lost in a game seven, as he is 6-0 in these situations. Postseason leadership could be the vindication of every hot streak he’s countered with flashy play in the defensive zone. As a seasoned veteran distributing the puck off the half-boards on the Powerplay, he atones for his early rushes up ice where he stickhandled himself into a corner. If he can bookend his career with Stanley Cup success, he’ll be immortalized in two of hockey’s original cities.
Keywords: 1994 Stanley Cup, Alex Kovalev, Alexei Kovalev, Andrei Kostitsyn, Boston Bruins, Broadway Blueshirts, Daniel Alfredsson, Danny Tartabull, Derek Jeter, Jesse Barfield, Luc Robitaille, Mario Lemieux, Mel Hall, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, New York Yankees, NHL, Ottawa Sentors, Pavel Bure, Petr Nedved, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Saku Koivu, Tomas Plekanec
