Thursday Feb. 4, 2010

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- Ilya Kovalchuk has been traded to the New
Jersey Devils.

The Atlanta Thrashers sent 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, turned down the Thrashers' 12-year, $101 million
extension offer.

Since the Thrashers drafted him No. 1 overall in 2001, Kovalchuk
leads the NHL with 328 goals, but Atlanta has made just one playoff
appearance and has never won a postseason game.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)