Who would you move for Kovalchuk?

[WingzFan 0]

Its obvious that its going to happen and its obvious that Kovalchuk is just the player that this team and Datsyuk needs. So who would you move? Its not going to happen for scraps or Maltby +.

Think Kronwall or Franzen or Flip + a prospect + picks.

And for those of you who say that we don't have enough assets to get it done, Detroit has a decent pipeline of redundant prospects.

Salary cap problems? What problems? If Lidstrom wants to play again next season, make him do so at a severely discounted rate.

[Guest Lidstromboli]

Its obvious that its going to happen

stopped reading there

[WingzFan 0]

stopped reading there

Please continue reading the various responses suggestioning that the team doesn't have enough depth to make the trade, that the salary hit will be too much and that people would rather have Franzen and Kronwall over Kovalchuk.

Its a mental delusion that will be forgotton the day they see Kovalchuk and Holland at a press conference.

[Dano33 41]

Its obvious that its going to happen and its obvious that Kovalchuk is just the player that this team and Datsyuk needs. So who would you move? Its not going to happen for scraps or Maltby +.

Think Kronwall or Franzen or Flip + a prospect + picks.

And for those of you who say that we don't have enough assets to get it done, Detroit has a decent pipeline of redundant prospects.

Salary cap problems? What problems? If Lidstrom wants to play again next season, make him do so at a severely discounted rate.

We won't make him take a huge pay cut. We will ask him if he is willing to take a huge paycut, and he will tell us how much he wants to play for.

As for the rest of it, it's not likely to heppen if you ask me. Atlanta hasn't always been the greatest team, and I think Kovalchuk is a big reason why fans show up for games. I don't see the Thrashers letting him get away.

[hooon 1,089]

I like Kovalchuk but there is no way this would ever, ever happen. It would defy the logic that has gotten this organization to where it is, we work extremely hard to build players and systems and we dont just give it away for one star player.

The only way I see him coming here is in a Hossa type free agency deal. Even that is unlikely. He will never get to free agency.

[dat's sick 1,002]

lol keep dreaming, Kovie is never coming here. I don't even really want him to either.

I would maybe trade Rafalski+picks for him. Of course Atlanta would never take that though.

[cupforwings 138]

I wouldn't trade Franzen, but Filppula maybe... The thing is, they would ask for a lot for Kovalchuck. However, If Kovalchuk ends up becoming a free angent, i could see the KHL try and scoop him up... I hope not though

[rage 24]

Please continue reading the various responses suggestioning that the team doesn't have enough depth to make the trade, that the salary hit will be too much and that people would rather have Franzen and Kronwall over Kovalchuk.

Its a mental delusion that will be forgotton the day they see Kovalchuk and Holland at a press conference.

Wow.

Now I'd love to have him. But why trade for him when he is set to be a UFA at season's end?

Anyway, not gonna happen. He will be a lifelong Thrasher.

[Carman 387]

It won't happen, but I'd trade anybody but Datsyuk/Zetterberg to get it done. While Franzen is great his injury issues and length of contract scare me just a little.

[JayUp88 1]

He isn't going to be traded.

[Datsyuk2Zetterberg 1]

I don't know if I would f*** with the core of Z, D, and Franzen.

If they do try to acquire him they would probably have to give up Kronwall, maybe Helm and a prospect plus a draft pick.

though it would be nice to be able to have

Kovy-Dats-RW

Franzen-Flip-Z

[RedWings Gone Wild 6]

Wow.

Now I'd love to have him. But why trade for him when he is set to be a UFA at season's end?

This. Most of our good players are either to old or signed really long term. It would be pretty short-sighted to trade guys signed for years to come (zett/Franzen/Dats/flip) for a guy who isn't guaranteed to stick around. If it was a sign and trade it would be a different story.

Kovalchuk is one of my favorite players, and a guy like him would turn this team around (since he can create offense for himself and others, and is a monster finisher). but the reality of the cap situation makes it pretty improbable.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

I'd move anyone except for Zetterberg.

[Reds4Life 51]

Lebda, Leino, Filppula and a 3rd round pick.

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

Lebda, Leino, Filppula and a 3rd round pick.

Like Atlanta would let themselves get ripped off like that. Here's a more realistic package:

Boyd, Kopecky, Meech, plus a coupon book for Little Caesars.

[SweWings 45]

Trading Kovalchuk is franchise suicide for Atlanta.

[Reds4Life 51]

Like Atlanta would let themselves get ripped off like that. Here's a more realistic package:

Boyd, Kopecky, Meech, plus a coupon book for Little Caesars.

You cannot beat the Ultimate Equalizer (3rd round pick).

I thought everyone knew that.

[cupforwings 138]

It won't happen, but I'd trade anybody but Datsyuk/Zetterberg to get it done. While Franzen is great his injury issues and length of contract scare me just a little.

good point, but he just signed a life long contract

[Carman 387]

good point, but he just signed a life long contract

Exactly why I'm scared.

[TheWestWing 71]

Rafi, Bert, Stewie, Leino, Kindl, Maltby, Ericson, the rights to Huds, back of pucks and $5M (CDN). Keeping Meech, Helmer and Lebda cuz I like living on the edge.

Just so Kovi knows he's gonna have to play like 35-40 minutes cuz we're only gonna have 2.5 lines.

[Finnish Wing 110]

I think team doesn't have a room for an ego like his. Frolov would be just nice.

[BeeRYCE 2]

I would move anybody on the team except Datsyuk... Yes, even Zetterberg. I think Kovalchuk is one of the league's best players... He is on the same level of Datsyuk which is just a short step behind Ovechkin and Crosby. His presence would do any team wonders, and with a linemate like Datsyuk, he can snipe 60.

[dropkickshanahans 463]

Its obvious that its going to happen

You're right! The writing's on the wall.

Think Kronwall or Franzen or Flip + a prospect + picks.

Salary cap problems? What problems? If Lidstrom wants to play again next season, make him do so at a severely discounted rate.

Exactly! f*** him and the years he put into our organization. If he wants to play for this great team, then $1 mil tops would be all I give him. If not, then he can just git on outta 'ere!

[CenterIce 83]

From ESPN Insider:

Atlanta Thrashers GM Don Waddell said earlier that he hasn't talked to any teams about trading Ilya Kovalchuk, and he appears to still be negotiating an extension. And now there's another Versus report out of Atlanta that a 9-to-10-year deal is close.

It jives with the previous rumors of a lifetime max contract; the 26-year-old star appears to be demanding a little over $11 million a year, but if he doesn't get the deal done with the Thrashers, there are reportedly teams ready to offer trades.

According to USA Today's Kevin Allen, "If the Thrashers can't get a deal done, I'm aware of at least two Western Conference contenders who will make a strong pitch." Allen adds that, last summer, several GMs said they'd be interested in a trade if the Thrashers can't work something out.

Some thought the deal would be done by Thanksgiving, but at this point they are likely negotiating the terms of the deal, or finding ways to reduce the cap hit on the Thrashers. This might be important because Kovalchuk has made clear he wants to win, and it might be hard if he signs a deal that takes up $11 million of cap space. So, if there is a deal, expect it to be front-loaded and long-term.

The KHL might also swoop in with a huge deal that tops the Thrashers' rumored 10-year pact worth $9 million a season.

[Lonewuhf 47]

From ESPN Insider:

Atlanta Thrashers GM Don Waddell said earlier that he hasn't talked to any teams about trading Ilya Kovalchuk, and he appears to still be negotiating an extension. And now there's another Versus report out of Atlanta that a 9-to-10-year deal is close.

It jives with the previous rumors of a lifetime max contract; the 26-year-old star appears to be demanding a little over $11 million a year, but if he doesn't get the deal done with the Thrashers, there are reportedly teams ready to offer trades.

According to USA Today's Kevin Allen, "If the Thrashers can't get a deal done, I'm aware of at least two Western Conference contenders who will make a strong pitch." Allen adds that, last summer, several GMs said they'd be interested in a trade if the Thrashers can't work something out.

Some thought the deal would be done by Thanksgiving, but at this point they are likely negotiating the terms of the deal, or finding ways to reduce the cap hit on the Thrashers. This might be important because Kovalchuk has made clear he wants to win, and it might be hard if he signs a deal that takes up $11 million of cap space. So, if there is a deal, expect it to be front-loaded and long-term.

The KHL might also swoop in with a huge deal that tops the Thrashers' rumored 10-year pact worth $9 million a season.

Lol, 11 million. We have NO chance of getting him here unless he settles for about half that.