Six years for Kovalchuk is bold to say the least

I feel like he's the type of player to still be productive at 40.

Probably true but I’d imagine you give him 3 years and if he produces another 3 at 38

These are Russians we're dealing with. They don't like prove it contracts. Especially Kovy who's been a superstar for so long.

Now use janmark and a prospect/picks to get namestnikov

It would be a huge risk to offer such a big deal for him. I mean, he has already had an insane contract with NJ, and it didn't exactly end like it should have.

I think the deal should be around 2-3 years.

It's being reported that he's looking for a 2 year deal ranging anywhere from $2-4M AAV. Personally, I think he'll go for anywhere in the $4-5M range, but 6 years is absurd. If you're going to go after a guy for 6 years at $6M+, go after JVR or James Neal. Kovalchuk I'd get on a 2-year deal; 3 years max. Anything over that and you run a very good risk of having a Spezza or a Gonchar; a once-good player on an awful contract. Guarantee if Dallas makes that contract that they are regretting it as early as 3 years in.

Namestnikov and Janmark are the same age, and close enough in production that Dallas would be much better off keeping their draft picks and keeping Janmark

I actually agree that kovalchuk is the best free agent winger available but if you’re gonna hand out 6 years I also think it’s better suited for JVR

Ilya Kovalchuk wants to play for a cup contender, Not a cup pretender like Dallas.

I was keeping the Russian invasion going! Like the wings in the 90’s