Only a week ago, Senator's veteran forward Alexei Kovalev was being called out and criticized by the team's general manager, Bryan Murray for his slow start to the season.
"Not very good," Murray responded to questions of Kovalev's performance this season. "It looks like his skating isn't where it was last year. I think there's lingering effects maybe from the surgery he had. I'm hoping that's part of it and, as time goes on, he gets going."
And most thought the criticism was fair. Kovalev was signed last season to a two-year contract worth $10 million with hopes that he would be a goal-scorer, playmaker and the threat on the power play that the team needs.
Last season, he did little to live up to those hopes, scoring only 18 goals in 77 games (a measly four goals on the power play) and missing the playoffs completely with a torn ACL in his left knee.
At the time of Murray's criticism, Kovalev had played six games this season and had one lone assist and no goals to show for his lack of effort.
Team owner, Eugene Melnyk was kinder to Kovalev on a Toronto radio show last Monday, and perhaps a tad prophetic when he said, "He is an enigma but i ...
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Article written by Christopher Smith
Ottawa Senators’ Alexei Kovalev Responds to Criticism with Goals
October 29th, 2010 by Christopher Smith Leave a reply »
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