Does Clearing Jokinen Mean Kovalchuk?

With the departure of Olli Jokinen for essentially spare parts, Flames fans believe another deal will be made.  After all, GM Darryl Sutter did effectively clear 500K off his cap after the supposed salary dump.  So is Sutter now looking to Atlanta and and acquiring Ilya Kovalchuk?

Just a few days ago, TSN’s Darren Dreger listed the supposed asking price for Kovalchuk as four or five assets, a young roster player plus a combination of draft picks and prospects.  If Sutter were to shoot for Kovalchuck, GM Don Waddell must not have liked prospect Keith Aulie.

Do the Flames now carry the assets to move for the superstar Russian.

They recently recalled their top rated forward prospect, Mikael Backlund, as the team needed secondary scoring.  It could be more of a showcase rather than a need with the acquisition of Matt Stajan.

Dustin Boyd could be showcased as well as he finds himself playing alongside Jarome Iginla regularly.  At 23-years-old he may fit the bill of a valuable young roster player.

Could Niklas Hagman be on the move again?  Sutter plays him on the third line while he projected for thirty goals.  At 30-years-old he carries a reasonable 3 million dollar cap hit while scoring at least 20 goals for three years now.

The Thrashers apparently asked the Bruins for Tuukka Rask, so one would assume prospect Leland Irving also should be in the mix.

Would a package of Hagman, Backlund, Irving, Boyd and a first round pick, Greg Nemisz or Tim Erixon entice Waddell enough to make a move? Certainly would be a healthy package.  but would other teams offer more?  One would imagine the Chicago Blackhawks or Los Angeles Kings could put together something stronger.

Note that the acquisition of Ales Kotalik and Christopher Higgins would maintain reasonable depth at the wings should a trade of this nature occur.

Alexander Monaghan
NHLHS Editor
amonaghan@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @NHLHotStove