Kovalchuk to Devils

Ilya Kovalchuk is a Devil.

Kovalchuk, the star left wing of the Atlanta Thrashers, has been traded to the New Jersey Devils. In return, the Devils will probably send Johnny Oduya to Atlanta. New Jersey may also have included hot prospect Niclas Bergfors in the deal.

Kovalchuk Trade

However, at this time, it is unclear exactly what the Thrashers have received in return.

Kovalchuk, a 26-year-old straight shooter from Russia, has 31 goals and 27 assists in 49 games this season. Before leaving today, he had spent his entire professional career with the Thrashers.

He was drafted as the first overall pick in the 2001 draft and went on to become a captain for the Thrashers. His best scoring season was in 2005-2006, when he had 98 points.

Oduya, a defenseman, has played in the NHL for four years. So far this year, he has appeared in 40 games, netting two goals and giving two assists during his shifts.

Meanwhile, Bergfors has seen the first significant playing time of his career this season for the Devils. A right wing, Bergfors has 27 points on 13 goals and 14 assists in 54 games so far this season.

Kovalchuk had been seeking a long-term, 10-12 year deal at about $11 million per season. Such a deal would represent the one of the longest, best-paying contracts in the history of the NHL. Atlanta reportedly offered Kovalchuk deals of $101 million for 12 years (about $8.5 million per season) and $70 million for 7 years (about $10 million per season), but these offers did not pan out.