manny
10-08-2005, 12:42 PM
Kovalchuk-gate ends: Winger signs with Thrashers
ESPN.com news services
The Ilya Kovalchuk (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=2944) holdout is over.
Sources familiar with the negotiations said the restricted free agent signed a five-year deal with the Thrashers late Friday and the pact is being sent to the NHL for league approval later in the day.
The contract is worth $6.5 million the first year, then $5 million, $5.5 million, $7.5 million and $7.5 million in the final year, a source told ESPN.com.
The new contract is expected to be approved by the league Saturday. Pending that and his immigration status, Kovalchuk is expected to be in the Thrashers' lineup either Wednesday against Montreal or Friday against Toronto.
Kovalchuk has returned to Russia to prepare for his move back to Atlanta full time.
The contract brings the Thrashers close to the $39 million salary cap, but just how close will be determined by roster moves.
Kovalchuk has already missed Atlanta's entire training camp and first two games.
In the season prior to the lockout, Kovalchuk tied Columbus' Rick Nash (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=3153) for the NHL lead with 41 goals and totaled 87 points, 32 ahead of Atlanta's second-highest scorer.
Scott Burnside is an NHL writer for ESPN.com
ESPN.com news services
The Ilya Kovalchuk (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=2944) holdout is over.
Sources familiar with the negotiations said the restricted free agent signed a five-year deal with the Thrashers late Friday and the pact is being sent to the NHL for league approval later in the day.
The contract is worth $6.5 million the first year, then $5 million, $5.5 million, $7.5 million and $7.5 million in the final year, a source told ESPN.com.
The new contract is expected to be approved by the league Saturday. Pending that and his immigration status, Kovalchuk is expected to be in the Thrashers' lineup either Wednesday against Montreal or Friday against Toronto.
Kovalchuk has returned to Russia to prepare for his move back to Atlanta full time.
The contract brings the Thrashers close to the $39 million salary cap, but just how close will be determined by roster moves.
Kovalchuk has already missed Atlanta's entire training camp and first two games.
In the season prior to the lockout, Kovalchuk tied Columbus' Rick Nash (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=3153) for the NHL lead with 41 goals and totaled 87 points, 32 ahead of Atlanta's second-highest scorer.
Scott Burnside is an NHL writer for ESPN.com