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Report: Kovalchuk traded to Devils
Atlanta receives a first round pick, three players
By
MARGARET SHERIDAN, QMI Agency
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It didn't take long for the Atlanta Thrashers to find Ilya Kovalchuk a new home.
Sources say the forward has been shipped to the New Jersey Devils for a first round draft pick and three players, ending the Russian's tenure in Atlanta.
Kovalchuk is the leading scorer in Thrashers' history with 328 goals, 287 assists for 615 points through 594 career NHL games.
The Thrashers had apparently offered the forward a 12-years, $101 million contract this week but were turned down by the sniper who was drafted first overall by the club in 2001.
"If accepted, this contract would have been the second highest offer ever to any NHL player," explained Thrashers GM Don Waddell in a statement Thursday. "Our goal from the start of this negotiating process was to sign Ilya Kovalchuk to a long-term contract. During the process, Kovy affirmed his desire to be a Thrasher for life.
"Unfortunately, we've reached an impasse and at this point he has declined all of our proposals and we can't reasonably go any higher."
Early reports say the three players sent to Atlanta in return are forwards Patrice Cormier, Niclas Bergfors and defenceman John Oduya.
Cormier was recently in headlines following his suspension for a hit to the head thrown in a recent Quebec Major Junior Hockey League game.
