Do Flyers, Rangers, Devils have a shot at Kovalchuk?

3. What on Earth are the Flyers and Devils offering?

The capped-out Flyers have very little manoeuvrability. There were a few reports (including my own) that Scott Hartnell is part of the package, but he’s got a full no-move clause. So does Daniel Briere. Simon Gagne has a no-trade. Do you think any of these guys waive it? Me neither.

Paul Holmgren is not trading Jeff Carter. I’m pretty sure Waddell asked — hey, you can’t shoot a guy for trying — but the answer was negative. Last season, when the two teams were discussing goalie Kari Lehtonen, the Thrashers asked for James Van Riemsdyk in return. OK, let’s say the Flyers were willing to do that. Van Riemsdyk’s cap hit is $1.65 million US. Kovalchuk’s is $6.4 million. Who makes up the difference? Matt Carle? I’m not sure he’s a top-four guy in Atlanta.

By now, it’s common knowledge that Thrashers associate GM Rick Dudley was in Lowell, Mass., last night, watching the Devils’ AHL team. New Jersey is interested in Kovalchuk, but not at a huge price. Truth is, they are not a very deep team in terms of prospects. Other scouts guess that Dudley was checking out winger Nick Palmieri. (Another guy mentioned, Alexander Vasyunov, did not play last night.)

The Devils do have the cap space for Kovalchuk, but you really have to wonder what else they’d give off their roster. Would it be anything more than Dainus Zubrus? The Thrashers want guys who can get them into the playoffs.

4. Are the Rangers really in this?

Doubt it. When Jaromir Jagr was still in New York, he wanted Glen Sather to get Martin Rucinsky from St. Louis. The price? Brandon Dubinsky. Sather said no way. There was also no chance they were going to give up Matt Gilroy in this week’s trade for Olli Jokinen trade. This organization makes some strange decisions, but they’ve kept their young players and good on them.

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