Due to the large amount of trade rumors surrounding Atlanta Thrashers Ilya Kovalchuk leading up to the March 3rd NHL trade deadline, we had to break it down his rumors page in to 2 separate posts to save space on our lead page. Here are the most recent trade rumors for Kovalchuk.
Older Ilya Kovalchuk trade rumors:
Jan. 28th:
Kevin Allen via Twitter: The Atlanta Thrashers haven’t given teams permission to talk to Kovalchuk’s agent about a contract extension, and don’t plan on doing so.
Jan. 27th:
Ken Campbell of The Hockey News: Campbell is reporting that the LA Kings and Atlanta Thrashers have had significant trade talks surrounding Ilya Kovalchuk. A list of what the Thrashers would want has been given to Kings GM Dean Lombardi. The current asking price of Ilya is a little steep for Lombardi. “There is speculation that the group of roster players includes the likes of defenseman Jack Johnson and/or Oscar Moller or Wayne Simmonds and the prospects include 2009 first-rounder Brayden Schenn, along with defenseman Colton Teubert, Brandon Kozun and Andrei Loktionov. Kozun is currently second in the Western League in scoring and Schenn is 13th.”
James Murphy of NESN.com: The Boston Bruins have put out there that both Tuukka Rask and their 1st round pick from the Maple Leafs are not available for trade. That probably crosses them off the Ilya Kovalchuk list, as I’d think those would be part of what the Thrashers would want. Murphy thinks Bruins fans shouldn’t hold their breath for Kovalchuk or Phaneuf. The Bruins could bring in Ray Whitney for a 2nd round pick.
Jan. 24th:
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun:
- The Thrashers will take another run at re-signing Ilya Kovalchuk. The Flames are said to have inquired about him. This will come down to the deadline, with at least 6 teams involved; Flames Capitals, Blackhawks, Bruins, Kings and Rangers.
- The Leafs have inquired about Kovalchuk, but that may not mean much. “Burke likes to stick his nose into everything,” said one Eastern Conference-based player. “If he did that, it’s so he can tell everybody that he looked into the possibility.”
Pierre LeBrun of ESPN:
Sources are telling LeBrun that contract talks are ‘pretty quiet’, and he thinks a trade is inevitable.
Jan. 22nd:
Bob McKenzie of TSN: McKenzie thinks that Kovalchuk will be moved, and needs to be moved for players with a name, and not just prospects/picks. He thinks that the Calgary Flames may be interested, and mentions Dion Phaneuf’s name. Chicago Blackhawks will be interested with the names potentially including Patrick Sharp, Cam Barker or David Bolland.
ESPN’s Scott Burnside and Pierre LeBrun: (Video) Discuss the Ilya Kovalchuk situation in ‘Friday Faceoff: Kovalchuk Sweepstakes. Jan. 15th
John Buccigross of ESPN: Want your team to land Kovy?
Jan. 16th:
James Murphy of NESN: There are some rumors that the Bruins could offer Blake Wheeler, Tuukka Rask and the 1st round pick from Toronto. But word out of Boston is that they ‘definitely’ won’t part with Rask, and wouldn’t give up the Leafs 1st round pick unless Kovalchuk signs an extension with them.
Jan. 15th
Larry Brooks of the NY Post: In a little bit of a surprise, the New York Islanders have tossed their hat in to the Kovalchuk sweepstakes if he becomes available. The thought of a Tavares-Kovalchuk tandem is definitely be interesting. The Isles would have to part with this years first round pick and maybe amongst others, have choice in Calvin de Haan, Travis Hamonic, Jyri Niemi, Kirill Petrov, Jesse Joensuu.
Jan. 14th
Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Kovalchuk told the AJC that he isn’t frustrated over the contract negotiations and remains confident something will get done. “Yes, I feel very confident,” Kovalchuk said. “Like I said, I like everything that’s been done over time. It’s not an easy thing to sign a long-term deal, and if it has to take until the last second, that’s what it takes. You never know.”
Mike Brophy of Sportsnet.ca: At least one NHL GM thinks it’s possible that the KHL could offer Kovalchuk a $20 million a year salary to lure him back overseas. “(Alexander) Medvedev is on a mission,” said the GM, who requested anonymity. “He’s paying (Sergei) Fedorov $14 million this season so how much do you think he’d pay to get Kovalchuk? Twenty million a season? That’s what I’ve heard.”
Jan. 13th
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: The Thrashers and Kovalchuk may not be agreeing on contract number. Rumors are that Kovalchuk is not willing to budge from his $11 million US per season demand. His sources are saying he hasn’t had any formal talks with any teams. Teams that might be interested: Blackhawks, Bruins, Capitals, and Kings.
Jan. 12th
Damien Cox of the Toronto Star: Maple Leafs fans may be calling out their interest in Kovalchuk as a free agent come July 1st.
Helene Elliot of the LA Times: Ilya Kovalchuk could be the game breaker and big name that the Los Angeles Kings could use. The Kings would want him more than a rental player, and have the space to potentially add the 10 year, $100 million contract.
Jan. 11th
Elliotte Freidman of CBC: The number one reason that Kovalchuk may consider leaving Atlanta is that the ownership has been a mess, and may continue to be mess in the near future. First to call Waddell should be the Bruins Peter Chiarelli and offer up Toronto’s 1st round pick.
Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: GM Don Waddell said Monday that he is not actively shopping Kovalchuk, however a trade may occur if they can’t reach an agreement, which is his number one choice.
Jan. 10th
TheFourthPeriod.com: Contracts are not going good between Kovalchuk and the Thrashers. The Los Angeles Kings will be interested. They are reporting through sources that Kings GM Deam Lombardi is traveling to Atlanta to scout the team, and maybe speak to someone.
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Garrioch mentions that there is talk that the Washington Capitals could make an offer. They would most likely be looking at him as a rental player.
Jan. 8th
Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe: This rumor might have started from another site. Cam Barker, Kris Versteeg, and a high pick or two for Kovalchuk.
