Or put patrick on 3RW when he gets back

Sure, but in the meantime Kovalchuk slots in there. When Patrick returns they could move him around and he or Stewart could be a scratch.

He has to be in the top 9, and 4 LW is raffls spot

We'll see what happens; just would make sense because it's a relatively big market with a current need.

Wait, so you're saying he's going to move from the beach out in LA in order for a chance to make less than 1M and help a rebuilding team develop its young guys? I don't see it.

I think he waits until the last possible day to sign anywhere, and then picks a contender where he has friends.

I am saying no other big market team is likely going to be interested in him, and the flyers are in position for the playoffs at the moment. I would be surprised if another team came along with a better offer in terms of pay.

My guess is the Islanders at $2.5 million on deadline day.

I mean, three of the last five Caps posts have him pencilled in. He's got three former team-Russia teammates there, and one recent Kings teammate.

Do they even have to match your offer?

Kovalchuk's a defensive wreck and a streaky, inconsistent goal scorer, but I think he'd help Washington have a little more of a chance to win, and they'd give him pretty good odds, in return?

He needs to play and earn the spot in the roster. He's not going to be walking to a contender roster just because of his name and some pals he might have there.

I could see the Caps signing him. I could also see him waiting until the last possible minute, to get some time off and rest up for the playoffs. What is he, like forty?

WSH was up against the cap and still sort of is. They moved Stephenson to help with that, but they are still only working with 6 defensemen. I think the Caps should focus on acquiring depth on defense before making an offer on Kovalchuk. I think MacLellan likes the forward depth pieces he has. Also, I do not care if 3 other people predict that the capitals will sign him; that does not take away the fact that with Lindblom out for the season, the Flyers have a need for a depth forward who can still snipe.

They were short on cap space before they traded Stephenson.

Now they could sign Kovalchuk and bring up a 7th defenseman without putting anyone on waivers: https://www.capfriendly.com/armchair-gm/team/1538800

Lol with 10k of cap space.