• CONTRACT EFFECT: It's been a good week for Kari Lehtonen. Not only has the Thrashers goalie been on fire since the All-Star break, the price of goaltending has gone up.

On Thursday, Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist signed a six-year deal worth $41.25 million to stay in New York. Like Lehtonen, Lundqvist was set to be a restricted free agent after this season.

That deal can only help Lehtonen, who is making $2.2 million this season.

"I think that's great news for all the goalies," said Lehtonen of Lundqvist's deal. "I think he's the biggest part of that team, and the way he's been playing, I think he's worth every penny of that."

Thrashers coach and general manager Don Waddell, who has a lot on his plate right now, said he hasn't spoken with Lehtonen or his agent about a new deal.

"That'll happen in the future, and we'll deal with it," Waddell said.

• IS IT HIS KNEE? Ilya Kovalchuk entered Friday's game against New Jersey with only two goals in his past ten games.

He refuses to blame his injured knee, saying it's just one of those down times, but his coach said the injury is a factor.

"There's no doubt it's slowing him down. But most guys would have missed three or four weeks with that injury," said Waddell. "Medically he's cleared to play, he's playing with a brace. Is he 100 percent? Obviously, he's not 100 percent. He won't be 100 percent until the year is over."

• CRUNCHING NUMBERS: It's widely believed that only one team from the Southeast, the division champ, will make the playoffs. But Waddell said Friday that he doesn't necessarily believe the Thrashers have to win the division to get in the playoffs.

"Just mathematically, when you look at it, it's never happened before where just one team from a division has gotten in," Waddell theorized. "I still believe the math is going to work out where two teams will get in out of the Southeast division."