Around the NHL: New Jersey Devils Acquire Ilya Kovalchuk from Atlanta Thrashers

Kevin Allen of USA Today has reported on twitter that the New Jersey Devils have acquired star winger Ilya Kovalchuk for Johnny Oduya, Nicklas Bergfors, Patrice Cormier and a 1st-round draft pick.

The trade was announced around 7:30 last night and shocked the hockey world.

The Devils were supposedly strong contenders during the entire sweepstakes and obviously were the ones that were handing Don Waddell and the Thrashers the return he wanted.

This is a fantastic deal for the Devils, as they did not have to give up a whole lot for a rental, who could become a franchise star if re-signed in the summer.

The Devils have just become a club that will be in the hunt for the Stanley Cup with the lineup they now hold and have made the already tight Atlantic Division that much tougher. Yet another tremendous move by veteran GM Lou Lamoriello.

The Rangers will meet up with the new look Devils on Saturday night, which will be Kovalchuk's second game with New Jersey. The asking price, from a Blueshirts standpoint anyway, was ridiculously high and I am relieved Glen Sather did not make a mistake and go all out on this one.

(Photo courtesy of Getty Images)