Kovalchuk Trade

The image was almost symbolic: Ilya Kovalchuk smashing his stick and tossing it into a corner after the final horn of an Atlanta loss, then leaving the ice to a chorus of boos. That was the scene 2 nights ago in what was the Russian superstar’s last game as a Thrasher. He reportedly turned down a 10-year, $85-million extension,

He's now been traded to the New Jersey Devils...The Thrashers acquired defenceman John Oduya, forwards Niclas Bergfors and Patrice Cormier and the Devils first round pick in 2010.

The Devils also receive defenceman Anssi Salmela in the deal. New Jersey traded Salmela to Atlanta last March for Niclas Havelid.

In addition, the two teams also swap second round picks in 2010.

[Canuck Kid]

I don’t really see how any other team would sign Kovalchuk to such a huge contract. He is a very talented goal scorer, but he is a one dimensional player and in the days of the salary cap, a contract of that size would cripple a team. The only variable is that maybe Kovalchuk wants to play for a contender, and would accept less money if he got a legitimate yearly shot at the Cup.

Either that or he has his sights set on the KHL, where he could make way more money than in the NHL.

Kovalchuk may be the most talented ‘rental’ player the league has seen since Gretzky got shipped to St. Louis from the LA Kings