Report: Thrashers won't trade LW Kovalchuk

Dec 12, 2008 - 12:42 AM ATLANTA (Ticker) -- As the Atlanta Thrashers continue to fizzle, general manager Don Waddell continues to insist their star player will not be dealt.

According to a published report on Thursday, Waddell said the lowly Thrashers have no intentions of trading superstar left wing Ilya Kovalchuk anytime soon.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that rumors of Kovalchuk changing addresses began in October and have not subsided.

First, he supposedly was linked to the Toronto Maple Leafs, whose newly appointed GM, Brian Burke, eventually could warm to the idea of pulling the trigger on such a deal. Kovalchuk then was rumored to be on his way to the Montreal Canadiens.

Citing unnamed NHL sources this week, Canada's Sun Media newspapers reported the Thrashers had "serious talk with several teams" about trading the Russian.

"I can't deny it any harder than I already have," Waddell told the Journal-Constitution. "We haven't spoken to one team about trading (Kovalchuk). We don't plan on speaking to any team about trading him. He's the cornerstone of this franchise. He's not going anywhere."

A two-time All-Star and former Maurice Richard Trophy winner, Kovalchuk can become an unrestricted free agent after next season. This campaign, he is the lone marquee name on a team that is 9-14-4 and ahead of only the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Southeast Division.

"We're going to do everything in our power, when we have that opportunity, to sign him. We're going to try to do that," Waddell said. "I've stated it numerous times. We're not trading Ilya Kovalchuk."

Kovalchuk, the first overall pick by Atlanta in 2001, has recorded 10 goals and 17 assists in 27 games this season. Over his seven-year career with the Thrashers, the 25-year-old has collected 264 tallies and 493 points in 493 contests.