Ilya Kovalchuk is a dominant offensive player and he might not be a member of the Thrashers for much longer. Atlanta GM Don Waddell has informed Kovalchuk that he will probably be traded in the near future. If the Thrashers move Kovalchuk, it would be one of the biggest trades in recent memory.
Kovalchuk is a legitimate offensive star. He has 615 points in 594 career games including 328 goals. The only two active players who have averaged more points per game in their career are Dany Heatley and Teemu Selanne. However, there are also a couple of a reasons not to deal for the Russian. His defensive effort is suspect and he’s currently in the last year of his contract. Kovalchuk has already declined an extension from the Thrashers that would have paid him around $10 million per year. He’s rumored to be seeking close to the league maximum of $11.2 million a season.
Even so, there are a number of teams bidding for his services. TSN reports that the Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, Calgary Flames, New Jersey Devils, Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers have all expressed interest in Kovalchuk. Those teams have been told that Atlanta wants “one top six forward, one top four defenceman and a prospect or high end draft pick” in return for their star. Considering the price to get him and the price to keep him, it will be interesting to see how this plays out.
Pundit Larry Brooks thinks that the Thrashers’ asking price for Kovalchuk is “absurd.” Brooks thinks the deal would be Marc Staal or Michael Del Zotto plus Ryan Callahan or Brandon Dubinsky. The other potential deal could be Dubinsky plus a prospect and a first round draft pick. While the price is steep, it doesn’t seem “absurd.” The talent is worth parting with if Kovalchuk is more than just a rental. Though, it would seem like the Rangers would have to try to dump more salary to make it work.
If the Rangers still want a superstar, they should go after Kovalchuk. Not too long ago they were rumored to be seeking Vincent Lecavalier whose contract pays him just about $8 million per year. Yes, it will be a nightmare to try and fit Gaborik, Lundqvist, Drury, and Kovalchuk under the cap. But that’s a risk worth taking if the Rangers think they can sign him to an extension. In reality, each of those guys except Drury is worth the money. So the problem isn’t really the money that Kovalchuk will make anyway. It’s not like other teams don’t have similar situations. Just look at the big money players that the Red Wings and Penguins fit under the cap.
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