Mike Brophy

Veteran hockey columnist Mike Brophy writes Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday on Sportsnet.ca and appears regularly on Hockeycentral.

The biggest prize on the market didn't sign on the first day of free agency.

Kovalchuk can bring many things to a team, but a winning mentality might not be on that list.

If the rumours are true, Ilya Kovalchuk left $100 million on the table when he refused to sign a contract extension with the Atlanta Thrashers.

It wasn't that he thought he could get more money by going to free agency; he simply didn't want to stay in a city that doesn't give a rat's behind about hockey and with an organization that has not shown any inclination of knowing what it takes to win.

So on the first day of free agency, when all kinds of lunacy took place, why wasn't Kovalchuk signed?

Nick Kypreos, the face of the network at Rogers Sportsnet, assures Kovalchuk was offered a contract by the Los Angeles Kings and that the team he finished the year with, the New Jersey Devils, all still in the running for his services.

One thing is certain, Kovalchuk will not get $10 million a year for 10 years from either of his suitors.

Here's the thing about Kovalchuk, he is undeniably one of the most talented and exciting players in the NHL and you'd be hard pressed to find a better goal-scorer. But the question remains: can you win with him?

The Kings need him to sell tickets more than anything else. Los Angeles has just 7,000 season ticket holders. And the Devils probably want him just to save face having traded for him.

Frankly, I see Kovalchuk as one of those guys who is happier getting two goals in a 5-3 loss than being held pointless in a 4-1 win.

BEST LINE: Not sure exactly where it originated, but Kypreos broke up the newsroom Thursday when he suggested Flames GM Darryl Sutter signed tough guy Raitis Ivanans to walk him to his car after one of the most curious (read: awful) days in free agency history.

In an attempt to get his team back to the playoffs, Sutter signed Alex Tanguay, who was horrible with Tampa Bay last season, Olli Jokinen, who has been to the playoffs once in 11 years, Tim Jackman, a guy who is expected to fight, but really doesn't like fighting, and Ivanans.

The Oilers get young and faster while the Flames get older and slower. Go figure.

VAN-TASTIC: With the Chicago Blackhawks blowing up their championship team (to be fair, the core of the team remains in place), the Canucks took huge steps toward winning the Western Conference by signing checking centre Manny Malhotra and defenceman Dan Hamhuis to go with defenceman Keith Ballard, whom they acquired earlier. It's early, but I like the Canucks’ chances of going to the final next season. That said, for it to happen Roberto Luongo needs to find his game and some consistency.

FINALLY: With the signing of Johan Hedberg as the backup goaltender in New Jersey, can we assume the Devils will finally cut back on starter Martin Brodeur's heavy workload during the regular season? Brodeur remains one of the best, if not the very best, goalies in the NHL, but has struggled in the playoffs the past few years, looking a little burned out. If the Devils are smart, they limit Brodeur to 50 games in the regular season and hope he has enough left in the tank to carry the team through four tough rounds of playoffs.

COUNT ON COLBY: Brian Burke continues to reshape his team, but the question is: Is Colby Armstrong a top-6 forward? Probably not, however, he is a quality third-liner who will cause opponents to keep their heads up. Armstrong is one of the NHL's better open-ice hitters, however, don't mistake that for being a tough guy. In five years he has fought just nine times, including just twice with Atlanta last season. My guess is Armstrong will score between 15-20 goals and will provide the Leafs with lots of energy.

OIL CHANGE: You have to wonder if the Edmonton Oilers acquiring Kurtis Foster and his big shot from the point means they intend to move disgruntled defenceman Shledon Souray. The problem is, Souray wants to play on the west coast and he may not get his wish. If Souray is healthy, he can be a very useful player.

(Editor's note: The Oilers placed Souray on waivers Friday afternoon.)