Slava Kozlov

Today the NHL will likely make a decision on the Ilya Kovalchuk contract. If the NHL extends the contract review once again, Kovalchuk will likely bolt to the KHL, as the season starts in less than a week.

My take: I think the NHL will make the decision today regardless of what it is. If the NHL does not act fast, they could lose him to the KHL. No matter what way you look at it, Kovalchuk doesn't have a job right now.

Slava Kozlov is not happy with Atlanta Thrashers coach John Anderson.  

Uncharacteristically, Kozlov vented to the Atlanta Journal Constitution (AJC) about the Thrashers ineffectiveness in producing a playoff team. 

A healthy scratch for nearly 30 games, Kozlov had several complaints that he made public in the news article.  

“I don’t want to say any bad thing about coach (John Anderson) but I don’t have anything good to say.” 

News has broke that Kovalchuk is out with a broken bone in his right foot and will be sidelined for roughly four weeks.

With Kovalchuk out at least four weeks or longer, Atlanta will have to, for the first time, play without their superstar sniper for a long duration.

Kovalchuk has missed no more then four games any season his entire career since the Atlanta Thrashers drafted him.

It'll be interesting to see the Thrash play without Kovy; he is the prototypical Russian superstar .

Tonight’s game was an intriguing one; the hot Atlanta Thrashers were in the Bell Center to face off against the Montreal Canadiens.

The game was full of action and played more of a run and gun style, which was right in both teams alleys. Much like the last few games for the Thrashers they came out in full force, with strong pressure and many chances within the first ten minutes of the match. But unlike the last few games, they had nothing to show for it.

Today, the Atlanta Thrashers were in Elmira, Ontario, to pay tribute to a former Thrasher, the late Dan Snyder.

The entire team rode the bus after the game in Buffalo to Elmira, Snyder's hometown. It was obvious that being at the rink in Elmira meant plenty to this organization.

"He was one of our guys. He's always going to be in our hearts. I'm glad we came here today," said Ilya Kovalchuk.

The only two remaining Thrashers who were on the team with Snyder are Ilya Kovalchuk and Slava Kozlov.

The beginning of any season is an outlook of what is to come.

The Atlanta Thrashers have yet to play even five games, only three games so far, and have posted two wins and one loss in them.

Most teams in the NHL have played five to seven games already, no games for Thrashers this past week, this early in the season will do that.

Now this weekend, it will all change. A back to back vs two tough and very different teams.

Being a free agent is tough.

What do you do? You have no family, you look left and right, and there’s no one to back you up, no one to lean on and no one to talk to.

You work as hard as you can to sharpen your skills, figure out what your next moves are, and look for further employment.

You’re basically looking for the right fit, an organization that is going where you want to go.

Another season, another disappointment for the Atlanta Thrashers, who failed to make the playoffs in back-to-back years. 

Any team with the third and fourth overall selections in back-to-back years has more than a few needs, and that's certainly the Thrashers' case. 

Up front, aside from Bryan Little, Ilya Kovalchuk and Vyacheslav Kozlov, there are no true top-6 forwards. 

Basically, the Thrashers are down an entire scoring line, and that should be the biggest priority going into the off-season.  

The New York Rangers with 84 points, take on the Atlanta Thrashers, in 27th place, with 66 points, on Thursday. In their countdown to the playoffs, it is game No. 9 for the Rangers and eight for the Thrashers.

The Thrashers, led by three Russians, Ilya Kovalchuck, Slava Kozlov, and Vyacheslav Kozlov, won their last two games.

The Rangers were on a three game winning streak but got upset by the Ottawa Senators in Madison Square Garden on Sunday.

They are led by two Americans, Chris Drury and Scott Gomez, a Canadian, Sean Avery, and Nik Antropov from Khazakstan.