Interesting rumor:
Kovalchuk’s agent Jay Grossman and Atlanta general manager Don Waddell are actively discussing a potential contract extension for the player who is the NHL’s leading scorer since the beginning of the 2001 season, but it wouldn’t be shocking if the Russian takes a wait-and-see approach before signing on the dotted line.
If the 26-year-old rugged scoring machine isn’t locked up by the Thrashers, then pay close attention to the Bruins' interest level throughout the season after they stockpiled draft picks in the Phil Kessel deal. B’s GM Peter Chiarelli now has eight coveted picks in the first two rounds of the next two drafts, and he owns five of the first 60 picks in next summer's well-stocked draft rife with blue-chip talent.
Provided Kovalchuk doesn’t sign an extension tacking on to his current five-year, million deal — with a cap hit of .4 million that would be pro-rated by the time of the March trade deadline — the Atlanta forward becomes the big fish available at the deadline.
The cadre of draft picks and collection of young talent the Bruins have compiled over the last two years bestows the Black and Gold with the biggest, baddest fishing rod to haul in that particular prize. It’s a similar situation to that of the Pittsburgh Penguins two years ago, when they hauled in Marian Hossa from the very same Thrashers team en route to a Stanley Cup finals run. Kovalchuk could become this year’s version of Hossa.
