Marian Hossa said Thursday the chances of getting a new contract with the Thrashers before the NHL trade deadline are "very slim." Hossa becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1,

Thrashers general manager Don Waddell maintains that his top priority is to sign the forward to a contract extension before the Feb. 26 trade deadline.

He might not get that chance.

"There's always a possibility, but there's a very slim chance to do that," said Hossa of an extension before the deadline. "We've been waiting such a long time, right now, what kind of miracle is going to happen now?"

That means Waddell is essentially faced with this decision in the next 11 days: Trade Hossa or risk letting him walk for nothing.

"They could lose me for nothing. Obviously they're aware of that," Hossa said. "It's a big decision on their part."