So by now everyone knows that Kovalckuk and Samlema were traded to the Devils for Johnny Oduya, Nicklas Bergfors, Patrice Cormier, and a 1st round pick.
Some people are sure to say that the Thrashers didn’t get enough for Kovalchuk, but we may never know what other teams offered. If there was a better offer that was made, I’m sure they would have took it. Now, would a better offer come in on March 3rd? We’ll never know.
Now we’ll take a look at what some people are saying.
Don Waddell on the Fan 590: Audio of Don Waddell was on HockeyCentral @ Noon with Daren Millard and Nick Kypreos.
Lou Lamoriello on the Fan 590: Audio of Lou Lamoriello was on HockeyCentral @ Noon with Daren Millard and Nick Kypreos.
“We felt Kovalchuk was a player who could come and fill the need that we felt we had for an explosive scorer and someone who could add a different dimension to our power play with the type of shot,” Lamoriello said. “Then it was just the case of trying to make it work some how where we could not sacrifice tomorrow.”
“The power that he brings, he is a power forward, he has hockey sense and he knows how to make other people around him better,” Lamoriello said. “You can tell by the assists he gets. I am sure every one of you has seen him play. What he brings, he can do things a lot of people can’t do.”
Scott Burnside of ESPN: A video of Burnside talking about the deal, and accompanying article titled ‘Atlanta has chance to prove Kovy wrong.
Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Devils get elusive scorer; Trashers get best possible return.
Bob McKenzie of TSN: Don Waddell did what he could with the Kovalchuk deal. A good read.
Darren Dreger of TSN: Dreger breaks down the trade.
Jeff Schultz of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: It’s possible that the Thrashers make the playoffs without Kovalchuk. There’s a chance that the Thrashers could sign Kovalchuk on July 1, but most likely they’ve both moved on.
For those of you in Atlanta who haven’t heard of Patrice Cormier before, or what has made his name so well known.