Ilya Kovalchuk has, in fact, been dealt by the Thrashers to the New Jersey Devils. Stunner. The Devils give up rookie forward Niclas Bergfors, defenseman Johnny Oduya, prospect Patrice Cormier and a first-round draft pick. New Jersey also regains defenseman Anssi Salmela, who was a Devil last year before being dealt to Atlanta.
Big questions from this view how a loose goal scorer like Kovalchuk will fit in with a master of boring, defensive hockey like Devils coach Jacques Lemaire. Seems like a rental for the stretch. Would Kovalchuk really sign long term with New Jersey?
The Devils are one point ahead of the Sabres in the battle for second in the Eastern Conference. I was totally not a proponent of the Sabres getting Kovalchuk but it will be interesting to see what move Darcy Regier has in response.
---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington)
tagged
NHL | NHL trade deadline | Sabres | Sabres front office
