I don't like Kovalchuk game......so I would probably pass on him but I do like the avs trade....I also understand the title and that its just for fun just adding my 2

If you're just making this for fun to make a Russian team then ignore below haha

Kempny is already better than Zadorov, then you also want to add Johansen who has top pairing capability? No way.

Hard pass on the Kovey trade. You can give up that package and get a younger just as good player.

I actually really like this idea lmao as a caps fan
The only issue if you're being serious here is Kovalchuck's age and think the Kempny trade is a slight overpayment for Zadorov
But I think its fun

Why is LA trading Kovalchuk?
Why is LA trading Kovalchuk to the Caps?
For an injury prone 3rd liner? No
For a C level prospect? No
For a #30ish pick? No
And on top that that they are retaining $2.25M? You are going to have to double that value to even keep LA on the phone.

I seriously don't see the point in trading a monster Dman that you've spent time nurturing and is now just coming into his own to get even smaller, older and arguably less capable. Not even sure where all this trade two of your better younger players idea is coming from. In the right package nobody is untouchable but I can't see any reason to trade Zadorov or Jost for pennies on the dollar.

I'd hesitate to trade Burakovsky at 23 for Kovalchuk at 35, straight up, at even cap hits. It helps this year, but hurts the next four through eleven. Since Kovalchuk is signed three years, it especially hurts as Kovalchuk declines further and gets slower and more injury prone. It's a fun idea, and he'd provide proven depth scoring this year, but you've pencilled him into Washington at almost 4M through his 38th birthday.

Johansen or Kempny should be almost enough for Zadorov, if he's available. If not, no worries.