Ilya Kovalchuk Trade Rumors HEAT UP: Deal May Be Imminent As Thrashers Star Told He'll Be Moved

Trade rumors involving Ilya Kovalchuk, one of the NHL's premiere players, have hit a fever pitch upon news that Atlanta Thrashers GM Don Waddell told him he will be traded.

The National Post reports that Waddell talked to Kovalchuk after practice today.

Boston, Calgary, Chicago, Los Angeles, New Jersey, New York (Rangers), Los Angeles, and Anaheim are all in the mix, according to HockeyBuzz.com.

Another blogger reported in the last 24 hours that the Thrashers are close to a deal with the Los Angeles Kings.

Kovalchuk is one of the NHL's leading offensive players. He scored 52 and 43 goals the last two seasons and has already scored 31 this year in just 49 games played.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution recently broke down Atlanta's options with Kovalchuk as the NHL trade deadline of March 3 looms: sign, trade, or do nothing. The second option is seeming all the more likely.