Kovalchuk contract negotiations hit "snag"

By Chris Vivlamore

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Contract negotiations between Ilya Kovalchuk and the Thrashers have hit a "snag" general manager Don Waddell said Monday.

"Our position is different than his position right now," Waddell told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution before Monday night's game with Montreal. "Their position is fixed years with money and we have a different side of that.

"That's what we have to work through. We've gotten through every thing else, now we have to make it through that."

Kovalchuk's agent, Jay Grossman, met with Waddell in Atlanta over the weekend. Waddell said he remained optimistic that a new deal would get done.

Kovalchuk, who is scheduled to become a free agent following the season, reiterated Monday that he would like to remain with the team.

Kovlachuk was asked about the possibility of being sent to another team at the trade deadline should a new deal not be completed.

“It’s a business,” Kovalchuk said. “I think every player goes through that. It’s the first time for me. It’s [management’s] decision, but I like everything here. Like I’ve said a lot of times, I want to play with one team all my life, but you never know.”

Waddell said last week he has had no trade discussions with other teams because he intends to sign Kovalchuk.

The forward, who is the franchise’s all-time leader in points, goals and assists, said the contract talks have not been a distraction.

“I just want to play my game and focus on my game,” Kovalchuk said. “That’s what is important. Management did a great job in the offseason bringing in all those guys. We are a better team, a more experienced team. It’s our chance to make the playoffs.”

Reunited

After several games of juggling line combinations, Thrashers coach John Anderson reunited Kovalchuk with Nik Antropov and Max Afinogenov on the team’s top line for Monday’s game against Montreal.

“For the time being,” Anderson said of the move. “We’ve been moving our lines around quite a bit so, again, nothing is set in stone. But hopefully we can get some energy right away from them and hopefully I won’t have to move them around.”

Forward Eric Boulton and defensemen Anssi Salmela and Mark Popovic (broken foot) were scratched Monday.

Johan Hedberg started in goal for the Thrashers after Ondrej Pavelec faced New Jersey on what became a busy Saturday night.

“I think [42] shots are just about enough for Pavs,” Anderson said.

Build-A-Bear

The Atlanta Thrashers Fan Club raised $7,200 for the Atlanta Thrashers Foundation at its Build-A-Bear auction on Saturday. The club auctioned off stuffed bears which came autographed with a personalized holiday greeting from each player. The bear of goaltender Kari Lehtonen, currently on injured reserve, went for the highest bid of $1,025.