The Thrashers traded Ilya Kovalchuk and defenseman Anssi Salmela to the Devils on Thursday night for right winger Niclas Bergfors, defenseman Johnny Oduya, prospect Patrice Cormier and a first-round pick.
The 26-year-old Kovalchuk, set to become an unrestricted free agent July 1, had turned down the Thrashers’ 12-year, $101 million extension offer. The Atlantic Division-leading Devils had posted a 3-7-1 record in their last 11 games.
Since the Thrashers drafted him No. 1 overall in 2001, Kovalchuk leads the NHL with 328 goals, but the team has made just one playoff appearance and never has won a postseason game.
?Ryan Whitney of the Ducks and Tim Gleason of the Hurricanes were chosen to replace injured defensemen Paul Martin and Mike Komisarek on the U.S. Olympic team. … Tom Hicks, the financially strapped owner of the Stars, is exploring a possible sale of the team. The Hicks Sports Group said it had retained Galatioto Sports Partners to look for new investors.
