Ilya Kovalchuk Traded to New Jersey

[Thrillhouse]

The Atlanta Thrashers have acquired defenseman Johnny Oduya, forwards Niclas Bergfors and Patrice Cormier, and a first round selection in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for forward Ilya Kovalchuk and defenseman Anssi Salmela, according to Executive Vice President and General Manager Don Waddell. In addition, the teams have also swapped second round selections in this year’s Entry Draft.

Oduya, 28, has appeared in 40 games this season with the Devils, posting four points (two goals, two assists) and a plus-two rating. The 6-0, 200-pound defenseman, who was recently named to the 2010 Swedish Olympic Team, missed 15 games due to injury from Oct. 31 to Dec. 4. Oduya ranks fourth on the Devils, averaging 21:11 of ice time per game this season.

In 273 career games over four seasons with the Devils, the Stockholm, Sweden, native has recorded 70 points (17 goals, 53 assists) and a plus-45 rating. He earned a career-high 29 points (seven goals, 22 assists) while playing in all 82 games during the 2008-09 season. Oduya led all Devils defensemen in goals, and ranked second in points and assists.

Oduya was originally selected by the Washington Capitals in the seventh round, 221st overall, of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. He signed with New Jersey as a free agent on July 17, 2006.

Bergfors, 22, ranks fifth among NHL rookies with 27 points (13 goals, 14 assists) and is third in goals. The 5-11, 195-pound right wing ranks fifth on the Devils in points and goals and is sixth in assists. He earned a career-high three points (one goal, two assists) on Nov. 12 at Pittsburgh and has scored a career-high two goals twice this season (Nov. 4 vs. Washington and Dec. 12 vs. Philadelphia).

The Sodertalje, Sweden, native has recorded 28 points (14 goals, 14 assists) in 63 career games with the Devils and 150 points (64 goals, 86 assists) in 257 American Hockey League games with Albany and Lowell. He has represented Sweden twice at the World Junior Championships, earning eight points (three goals, five assists) in 13 career tournament games.

Bergfors was selected by the Devils in the first round, 23rd overall, of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

Cormier, 19, recorded 31 points (11 goals, 20 assists) in 31 games this season with Rimouski and Rouyn-Noranda of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, prior to being suspended for the remainder of the season due a hit on an opposing player. The 19-year-old center served as captain for the Canadian team at the 2010 World Junior Championship, earning five points (two goals, three assists) in six games while helping his team to a Silver Medal.

The Moncton, New Brunswick, native has recorded 144 points (63 goals, 81 assists) in 189 career QMJHL games with Rimouski and Rouyn-Noranda. Cormier tallied 10 points (four goals, six assists) in 13 post-season games following the 2008-09 season and was named to the 2009 Memorial Cup All-Star Team.

Cormier was selected by New Jersey in the second round, 54th overall, of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

Kovalchuk, 26, has posted 58 points (31 goals, 27 assists) in 49 games with the Thrashers this season. He missed six games with a broken bone in his foot from Oct. 29 to Nov. 8. The 6-2, 230-pound forward exits as the franchise’s all-time leader in games played (594), points (615), goals (328) and assists (287).

The Tver, Russia, native was selected by the Thrashers in the first round, first overall, of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

Salmela, 25, has appeared in 29 games this season with the Thrashers this season, posting five points (one goal, four assists). In 55 career NHL games with the Devils and Thrashers, the 6-1, 200-pound defenseman has recorded 11 points (two goals, nine assists). He has also appeared in 40 AHL games with Lowell and Chicago, earning 24 points (eight goals, 16 assists).

The Nokia, Finland, native was originally signed as a free agent by New Jersey on May 30, 2008. He was acquired by the Thrashers from the Devils in exchange for defenseman Niclas Havelid and forward Myles Stoesz on Mar. 2, 2009.

[thepolishkid88]

Deal coming in as we speak...

[grits207]

Oduya is one of the players going to Atlanta according to Elliot Friedman.

[lakingsfan19]

Originally Posted by grits207

Oduya going to Atlanta.

WOW.. For a rental???? WOW

[PuckHogs29]

Originally Posted by lakingsfan19

WOW.. For a rental???? WOW

He's been bad this year and the Devils have Tyler Eckford waiting in the wings. I don't mind losing Oduya.

[Thrillhouse]

Originally Posted by lakingsfan19

WOW.. For a rental???? WOW

Yeah and his $3.5 mil cap hit...

[The Dougler]

Oduya, Bergfors and a 1st?

They were scouting Lowell too...

[thepolishkid88]

Originally Posted by The Dougler

Oduya, Bergfors and a 1st?

They were scouting Lowell too...

Those 3 are proably likely and I am sure its gotta be another top prospect.

[canuckfan]

Wow, can't wait to see the details - New Jersey NEVER makes huge moves like these. I never thought this is where Kovalchuk would end up.

[PuckHogs29]

Originally Posted by The Dougler

Oduya, Bergfors and a 1st?

They were scouting Lowell too...

Please don't trade Palmieri or Eckford.....

[2yt4u]

Whew...thank god, we didn't deal for him.

[The Dougler]

Maybe Tedenby?

I love speculation!

[IhateLindros]

I believe Palmieri is part of the deal as well.

[puffed up]

Originally Posted by The Dougler

Maybe Tedenby?

I love speculation!

Tease!!!!!!

[lakingsfan19]

The New Jersey Devils have won the Ilya Kovalchuk sweepstakes, acquiring the superstar winger from the Atlanta Thrashers on Thursday night, a source close to the deal told ESPN.com.



The Devils have struggled of late, especially scoring goals. Veteran Devils GM Lou Lamoriello didn't hesitate, swooping in and acquiring the biggest rental player available on this year's trade market.



Kovalchuk will be an unrestricted free agent July 1 and contracts talks with the Thrashers hit a stalemate recently.



Pierre LeBrun covers the NHL for ESPN.com.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=4888109