We Are All Professionals: Ilya Kovalchuk Speaks About Status With Thrashers

To listen to Ilya Kovalchuk's entire media interview, please visit this link.

GM Waddell Tells Kovalchuk To Expect Trade Soon

GM WADDELL TELLS KOVALCHUK TO EXPECT A TRADE SOON

TSN.CA Staff

"...Thrashers general manager Don Waddell met with the star forward on Wednesday and told him to expect a trade to another NHL team over the next few hours or days.

There is no indication that any deal with a specific team is imminent, but the Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Bruins and New York Rangers are included on a list of five or more teams who continue to express interest.

Kovalchuk, 26, became the subject of trade rumours recently after reports surfaced that he could not come to terms on a multi-year contract with the only NHL team he's ever played for. The Russian sniper is in the final year of his current deal and is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

A seven-year NHL veteran, Kovalchuk was selected first overall by the Thrashers in the 2001 NHL Draft. In 594 career NHL games with Atlanta, he has amassed 328 goals and 615 points.

Kovalchuk scored a career-high 52 goals with the Thrashers in 2007-08 and was co-recipient of the Rocket Richard Trophy in 2003-04 with a league-leading 41 goals."

Kovalchuk Obstacles (Larry Brooks New York Post)

Larry Brooks of the New York Posts write in his Sunday column that Atlanta Thrashers GM Don Waddell will not allow teams interested in trading for prized winger Ilya Kovalchuk to negotiate a contract extension before a trade is complete. Brooks goes onto write that Don Waddell does not want Ilya Kovalchuk's agent Jay Grossman to control the process, but such thinking may not be wise considering Atlanta's track record in similar situations. To read Larry Brook's column in full, please visit this link.

Pick a Door Any Door: Atlanta Has Three Options Regarding Ilya Kovalchuk

Chris Vivalamore of the Atlanta-Journal Constitution writes about Ilya Kovalchuk's unique situation with the Atlanta Thrashers. Never has a premiere player such as Kovalchuk at the age of 27 been an unrestricted free agent and have a plethora of options. Vivalamore details three options which Atlanta GM Don Waddell must consider. They include signing the superstar winger, trading him, and staying put for the time being. To check out Chris Vivalamore's piece and learn more about number seventeen's options, please visit this link.