Ilya Kovalchuk is Happy in Atlanta

Hearing Ilya Kovalchuk’s comments after Monday’s practice had to be music to the Atlanta Thrashers management’s ears. Upon going home last April for the off-season the Thrashers number one scoring forward told GM Don Waddell that he won’t sign a long terns deal until he sees what moves management makes during the summer. Rising to the challenge Wadell brought in more scoring this summer in signing unrestricted free agents Nik Antropov and Maxim Afinogenov who have both had a huge impact in the early going. On the blue line Waddell who’s team has only made the playoffs once in their 11 year history traded for veteran Pavel Kubina. As a result of these moves the Thrashers have vaulted out of the gate with an impressive 4-1-0 start this season. This has obviousy pleased their captain who touched upon the early season success on Monday after morning practice. “I think ths is the best best the franchise has ever had,” Kovalchuk who has seven goals in the first sive games said. “It’s fun to win. I’ve been waiting for that moment. We made some great moves during the summer. We signed some free agents and I think that was key for the season.” Anther huge reason for the Thrashers surpring start has been the play of goalie Ondrej Pavalec along with their young players coming of age. If the good times continue for the entire season than Waddell will have a much better chance of inking impending free agent Kovalchuk to a long term deal. Currently he is in the last year of a five year deal paying him 7.5 million U.S. this season.