If Ilya Kovalchuk Leaves Atlanta, Where Will He Go?

The rumors around Atlanta Thrashers superstar Ilya Kovalchuk have not been bright in the past few months.

The team hasn’t gone anywhere with him for eight years, with only one appearance in the NHL playoffs (which resulted being swept by the New York Rangers in the first round).

He’ll be an unrestricted free agent this summer. If he turns down an offer from Atlanta or gets traded before the trade deadline, here are a few possibilities of where he’ll be playing next (well, at least in my opinion).

Los Angeles Kings

The Kings have been on the hunt for a big-name player for sometime. It was even rumored last year on CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada intermission segment The Hotstove that they were interested in acquiring Vincent Lecavalier from the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Kings also attempted to get Phil Kessel during the offseason, but that all backfired.

L.A. has acquired Ryan Smyth and Rob Scuderi, and now they want a big star. Kovalchuk would be an excellent supporting outlet for center Anze Kopitar.

New York Islanders 

The Islanders have struggled for several years. They have not won a playoff series since 1993 and have made only four appearances since then. Despite the likes of No. 1 draft pick John Tavares, the Islanders are still struggling to sell tickets, and their future in Long Island is a question mark.

Since Tavares isn’t enough to draw bigger crowds in the Isles' aging Nassau Coliseum, and without a big playoff run in years, Kovalchuk just may be a big piece in the puzzle.

New York Rangers

For the past few years, the Rangers have stacked their roster, but they have struggled to win games and make a deep playoff run. Having a guy like Kovalchuk would be a big boost for the Rangers, but one issue is cap room.

The Blueshirts have many high-priced players. Where would Kovalchuk fit in the Rangers roster, and if they attempt to trade any one of their top paid, yet underachieving players, would anyone else want them?

Another issue with Kovalchuk: Can the Rangers duel for a major playoff run, or even fight their divisional foes, such as the Penguins and the Devils, for the Atlantic Division title?

St. Louis Blues

Winger Paul Kariya, who signed a three-year deal worth $18 million, has struggled to put up numbers to match his worth and is currently in a contract year. The Blues could see Kovalchuk as a major replacement for Kariya, who has been battling hip problems that have hampered his play for the past two seasons.

Chicago Blackhawks

Rumors on The Hotstove have surfaced that the Hawks have addressed interest in trading for Kovalchuk, but the cap room issue may halt them from pursuing him. The Hawks would have to trade quite a bit to the Thrashers to clear cap space, maybe even burn a first round draft choice or two and one of their younger players just to acquire him.

While Kovalchuk may be dynamite with Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, and Marian Hossa, it may not last long because the Hawks will most likely use him as a rental player if they acquire him before the trade deadline.

Even when he becomes a free agent on July 1, don't look for the Hawks making an offer to him with the cap situation they are already in.