An Open Letter to Ilya Kovalchuk

…from his Fantasy owners.

Dear Ilya,

We never met but I’ve now owned you on my team for some time now.  Although I was wary of drafting you a few years ago due to your poor supporting cast, you have proved to be one of the most consistent players in the game if not the most consistent.

Since 2003-2004 you always put up a minimum of 40 goals and simply are a source not to be reckoned with.  We have full confidence in your ability to succeed regardless of the cast but two things have been bothering us.

One, the talk of returning to New Jersey.  Yes, they want to win now but they play a TEAM game– something I honestly don’t think you will like.  They also acquired yet another top six forward and may put you on the second line!  Is a two-year opportunity to win in Jersey better than say a lifetime of tape-to-tape passes from Anze Kopitar?

Second, the talk of defecting to the KHL.  You are one of the most talented players in the world, wouldn’t you rather win the best trophy in the game?  Your replacement Russian, center Alexander Burmistrov felt that league was a place for old people like Jaromir Jagr… do you feel like playing with old people and your idols the rest of your career?

My ownership in our NHL Keeper League does not extend to my annual KHL pool, unfortunately.  But I should be able to take Evgeni Nabokov with my first overall pick!

In conclusion, neither of these destinations will help your fantasy value and neither will help our teams.  Please, we urge you to reconsider your actions and remain a stud winger in all formats.

Sincerely,

Your Fantasy Owners

Feel free to chime in the comments with whatever I omitted, maybe we can make a difference!  We rarely delve into speculation but since this is a slow Friday, it was this or the re-signing of Dan Girardi.