Waddell tells Kovalchuk to expect trade; Blue Jackets fire Ken Hitchcock

Waddell tells Kovalchuk to expect trade; Blue Jackets fire Ken Hitchcock

4:18pm - Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 by DePaoli

According to reports, Atlanta Thrashers forward Ilya Kovalchuk won't have to wait until March 3rd to find out where he will be heading.

RDS.CA first reported this afternoon that Thrashers GM Don Waddell has informed Kovalchuk on Wednesday to expect a trade to another NHL team over the next few hours or days.

Bob McKenzie of TSN.Ca reports Boston Bruins, New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Chicago Blackhawks and Los Angeles Kings are among the teams in the mix. The Vancouver Canucks have been mentioned off-and-on from other outlets.

Pittsburgh is not involved, let's get that out of the way.

Opinions vary on Philadelphia, Boston or Chicago being actively being involved in the Kovalchuk sweepstakes. I've been told Chicago is not considered a serious suitor at this time.

Although, Los Angeles has been regarded as the favorite by many, their efforts have been on Ray Whitney of late.They are the wildcard in this.

The Rangers continue to be the most aggressive team and the New Jersey Devils have been lurking.

The Devils quietly made a major play for Marian Hossa two years ago at the deadline.

There is also word that a few "surprising teams" are lurking that no one is talking about. One of them is the Minnesota Wild I'm told, according to a Pens' source. The other is believed to be the Nashville Predators.

Blue Jackets fire Ken Hitchcock

Just minutes ago the Columbus Blue Jackets announced that head coach Ken Hitchcock has been fired.

Claude Noel named interim head coach.

Comments

mwiles19

So much for all the "I want to play my entire career in Atlanta" spiel he put on. Just another money-hungry Russian sniper.

02/03/2010 4:24pm

sirmarianhossa

Hitchcock announced shortly before the firing that he has to sell his chins for $

02/03/2010 4:33pm

Genomalkin

hitchcock is a chode

02/03/2010 4:39pm

jbpitt11

I would hate playing in a half filled arena every night.

02/03/2010 4:39pm

dirtmccurt

Pretty scary that NJ is in the mix. They have plenty of talent to spare and a lot of cap room too

02/03/2010 4:46pm

j_s15226

NJ won't get him...no way in heck he plays the trap....he doesn't even play in the D zone

02/03/2010 4:49pm

mwalluk

Get your Kovy rumors in - Kovy to LA or Tronto. I believe LA has the most assets to move. They are also a big city and have been looking for a star not named KOpitar. Smoke screen maybe,

02/03/2010 4:50pm

acewhiplash

mwalluk: let's guess! Kovy for D. Brown / W. Simmonds / J. Johnson or Greene / 1st rd pick. Maybe ATL throws in a spare Dman.

02/03/2010 4:58pm

Jeff2266

If Toronto gets him its in the offseason but still i think they will go after a center for Kessell. Bos or LA is my guess

02/03/2010 4:58pm

dirtmccurt

I hope LA makes that trade ace, one less team we have to worry about (if they make it to the cup)

02/03/2010 5:00pm

dirtmccurt

That's something else I don't get. Waddell says he's gonna be dealt soon, but we also know that nobody wants to give up 4 players + for him.

02/03/2010 5:02pm

SV84

Philly will try hard for him, cheap shot artist on Crosby. I love how their fans think they can go get whoever they want and trading solves everything.

02/03/2010 5:02pm

Jeff2266

Could be a ploy, if word gets out hes about to be traded a team involved panics thinking he might be gone soon and offers up large

02/03/2010 5:03pm

dirtmccurt

Ahh, I see. And by teams involved you mean dumbass Sather

02/03/2010 5:05pm

deesh138

I hope Philly does get him, because I doubt he re-signs there, and it will cost them Giroux, Van Remsdiek, and more.

02/03/2010 5:06pm

acewhiplash

nice point, jeff. you figure, we're losing with you, might as well lose without you. there's a lot of decent players on the Thrashers, they need an inspirational leader. Kovy, Antropov, and Kubina are just too many head cases. Kane is the future. Peverley is not a fluke.

02/03/2010 5:07pm

SV84

Interesting point Deesh.

02/03/2010 5:08pm

Pika

Trading for Kovalchuk is do retarded... Just something Phili would do.. A la Pronger.. I hope Phili does it too..

02/03/2010 5:09pm

mwalluk

Good point deesh. I don't think rrags have the assets unless they throw staal in their then finally eklund would be right with his staal will be traded theory except it would be the other staal. I think it's either Philly or LA that would offer the best assets

02/03/2010 5:09pm

Jeff2266

Kane, Little and the D man they have Bosogan? something like that are all legit players/specs

02/03/2010 5:09pm

dirtmccurt

Maybe not both JVR and Giroux but definitely one. ESPN keeps suggesting Carter but I don't think Holmgren is that much of an idiot

02/03/2010 5:10pm

dirtmccurt

I'm surprised PHX isn't trying to pick up a big name. This is a huge year for them, as a deep playoff run would really help their franchise

02/03/2010 5:11pm

deesh138

We all know of Ekland's reliability, but the BlackHawks blogger on his sight made an interesting case for them to get Kovy. Claimed that Atlanta couldn't afford to get only prospects and picks back..

02/03/2010 5:13pm

deesh138

....and with Chicago having a surplus of young forwards, the deal would make some sense to me, if only for the rest of this season. He mentions Ladd, Barker, and Versteeg for Kovy and a minor defenseman.

02/03/2010 5:15pm

mwalluk

That's why LA works Brown JJ and company are all legit nhl players same could be said for CHi with Barker, versteeg

02/03/2010 5:16pm

deesh138

I have a YouTube mancrush on Dustin Brown. Dude can hit, and is cheap.

02/03/2010 5:17pm

mwalluk

Who would you rather have Ladd, Barker, Versteeg and prospect or JJ, Brown, Simmons/Greene and prospect/pick

02/03/2010 5:17pm

mwalluk

Now if ATl trades with LA maybe we can trade with ATL to get Brown

02/03/2010 5:19pm

dirtmccurt

CHI has to be mental to make that trade. Kovalchuk is a great player but I'd rather have the 3. I know they need to get rid of salary but do it at the draft

02/03/2010 5:20pm

mwalluk

Well LAdd is a 4th liner on their team now. Seriously imagine try to line up against Kovy-Toews-Kane then Brouwer-Sharp-Hossa

02/03/2010 5:23pm

deesh138

Give me the Kings deal. Again, I just think Dustin Brown is a beast.

02/03/2010 5:23pm

dirtmccurt

But they would have an extra scary offense: Kane-Toews-Brouwer, Kovy-Bolland-Hossa, Sharp-Madden-Byfuglien

02/03/2010 5:23pm

dirtmccurt

lol, beat me to it

02/03/2010 5:24pm

mwalluk

u got me with the 3rd line

02/03/2010 5:26pm

psupens

I wonder if Boston is willing to move their first round pick in an attempt to get Kovalchuk...they do have Toronto's likely top 3 overall pick they can keep

02/03/2010 5:50pm

Cory7321

I'd keep that pick for sure.

02/03/2010 7:33pm

Jerkhart66

kovy to the rangers

02/03/2010 8:02pm

jaluco

It'd be fun to watch them miss the playoffs with Kovalchuk, as well.

02/03/2010 8:13pm

Rangersfanintheburgh

Gaborik + Kovalchuk!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOO

02/03/2010 8:17pm

Pens6687

hey rangers fan your team sucks kovalchuk wont do anything for ya you need defense your teams a joke!

02/03/2010 8:44pm

SV84

So where exactly is WOOOOOO section on the standing sheet. I'm pretty sure Redden and Gomez made you go WOOOOOOO also. Please keep Saither, I enjoy watching him make a mess of that team.

02/03/2010 8:59pm

Pens6687

hey rangers fan by the way i live in ny born in pittsburgh will always be my home. living with your joke fans for awhile your fairweather fans and dont know shit about hockey your team starts off 7-0 and your claim the cup then you come down to earth and all you hear is yankees are the best. you guys are jokes i live with em and i know! LETS GO PENS! STANLEY CUP CHAMPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

02/03/2010 9:01pm

Pens6687

right SV84 always hope the rangers organization stays a joke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

02/03/2010 9:02pm

Pens6687

02/03/2010 9:10pm

Cory7321

HAHAHA. HE'S BAAAAACK

02/03/2010 10:45pm

Pens6687

yeah that guy always disappears then comes back when rangers are doing sumthin besides losing to pens 7 games in a row lol!

02/03/2010 11:05pm

wmalonijr

kovalchuck plus hossa was never that great. Why would gaborik be any better? Plus they would have to trade dubinsky to get him. Then you'll have underacheiver drury and thats it really at center. Oh wait. They have christensen.

02/03/2010 11:14pm

zerocool6687

Come on mwiles... how would you feel to be a SUPERSTAR player that no one comes to watch all the while the management of your team is only so committed to making the team competitive. Kovalchuk stated he wanted to spend the rest of his career based on 2 criteria... the ability to attract more fans and a commitment to winning, NO EVIDENCE of either in ATL. Rumour has it he is forcing the hand of the Thrash, he asked them for the 11.2 max to stay. ATL will not pay that so he will move... the rumour further states if he goes to a team he likes in a market he prefers Ill bet his asking price comes down.

02/04/2010 12:18am

zerocool6687

As for the rumours... LA is the most likely destination... apparently Holmgren is not willing to move more the Hartnell and Carle... Waddell may want more and should be able to get more. so I doubt we will see him in Philly unless the deal changes!

02/04/2010 12:20am

↑ previous comments ↑

zerocool6687

As for Chicago... Bowman is not sure if he wants to mess with the chemistry there and toss out some valubale assets for a rental as they would not have the money to resign him. He may just hold on to this group and try to move a few of them this off season for high round picks and prospects!

02/04/2010 12:22am

Weimer007

Kovalchuck is a terrible move for Chicago. Period. Unless they get him for free. They are in cap hell as it is and will have to dump players. I want to say again... Mr. Shero. Sharp. Make it happen. Lose McKee and Skoula while your at it...

02/04/2010 11:49am

cpykosh

Just dreaming: what Waddell wants, top 6 forward Kunitz 3.2 mil, top 4 defenseman Goligoski 1.8 mil, top prospect or high draft choice Caputi or Tangradi each around 850,000. Kovul

02/04/2010 5:32pm

cpykosh

Sorry message got sent before I was finished. The combined salaries is about eual to Kovalchuk's salary ( prorated should be close). We would make cap room for Letang and Gonchar +, still have a million or so to try for a defenseman for this year. Really what has Kunitz and Goligoski done this year? I like them both but I think we can function well without them. Kovachuk with Geno ....WOW. Sid has done well with Guerin and whomever and Staal would be back on that great third line for playoffs...Just thinking...maybe Mario wil step in again.

02/04/2010 6:11pm