Penguins Notebook: Kovalev wants second Stanley Cup title
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RALEIGH, N.C. -- Alex Kovalev is a rare talent -- at least, he was earlier in his career -- and a unique individual.
How many guys, after all, fly to their first game with a new team in their own plane, the way Kovalev did after the Penguins acquired him Thursday from Ottawa?
But Kovalev has the same motivation as just about every other player in the NHL -- he wants to win a Stanley Cup -- even though his incentive is slightly different.
He won a Stanley Cup in 1994, his rookie season with the New York Rangers, but the experience wasn't quite complete, for reasons far beyond his control.
"When I won the Stanley Cup, I never had a chance to take it home because of the lockout, so I never really saw the Cup, except holding it on the ice," he said Friday.
"That's one of the reasons to get another Stanley Cup, so I can finally share it with my friends. Take it home, maybe, or whatever. Get another Cup before the end of my career. To start with a Cup and end with a Cup would be great."
That doesn't necessarily mean Kovalev, who kicked off his second stint with the Penguins when they faced Carolina Friday night, plans to leave the NHL after this season, regardless of what the team accomplishes in the playoffs.
"When I win the Cup, then I'll ... you know the way it works," he said: "When you win, you want more."
The Penguins gave Ottawa only a conditional seventh-round draft choice for Kovalev, but didn't hesitate to put him in a prominent role. He was ticketed for the right side of their No. 1 line, with Jordan Staal and James Neal, and the right point on their No. 1 power-play unit.
"I'll fill any role they want me to play," Kovalev said. "I've been on the power play, in the back, before, so ... we have good forwards up front. They do a good job in front of the net. I guess my goal will be, as always, to get the puck to the net, and let the forwards do the rest."
Coach Dan Bylsma suggested Kovalev will receive consideration for a permanent spot on the point.
"I would consider it on a longer-term basis," he said. "Obviously, right now, we have a need there. When [injured defenseman] Paul Martin returns, he'll be back there on the point as well, on the power play, but there's a possibility [Kovalev] could be there when everyone gets healthy."
First Published February 26, 2011 12:00 am
