Ilya Kovalchuk’s return to Atlanta’s Phillips Arena to play his former team was not a hero’s welcome.
There was no reason for it to be given the circumstances surrounding his departure to the New Jersey Devils.
Kovalchuk was traded as a last resort by team management to avoid receiving no compensation if the team was unable to come to contract terms that the star forward wanted.
He turned down a $100 million deal and a shorter term seven year $70 million dollar offer from the Thrashers. Kovalchuk who is still unsigned becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
Not surprisingly, the fans that paid for a ticket to witness his return were not in good humor. Boos could be heard loud and clear each time Kovalchuk touched the puck.
The Thrasher’s officially lost any hope of making the Stanley Cup playoffs losing to New Jersey 3-0. Martin Brodeur earned another shutout while providing the Thrashers ...
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Article written by Warren Shaw