Bruins Front Office Must Wait for Shot at Ilya Kovalchuk

Ilya Kovalchuk will be a Thrasher until March 3, but after that it’s anyone’s guess as to where the Russian sniper will land.

According to the Ottawa Sun, the Bruins — as well as fellow Kovalchuk contenders the Flames, Capitals, Blackhawks, Kings and Rangers — are going to have to wait until after the Olympics if they want a shot at landing the forward and will likely have to to hold off until March 3 — the NHL trade deadline.

The report insists that Atlanta general manager Don Waddell is prepared to make one more offer to Kovalchuk before the deadline hits. Teams aren’t likely to acquire Kovalchuk before the Olympic break, according to one Western Conference GM, because they would have to pay him during that two-week period.

The Flames and Capitals are rumored to be front-runners for this season’s 30-goal scorer. Calgary is reportedly willing to part ways with defenseman Dion Phaneuf while the Caps are prepared to offer a big deal to land the 26-year-old who owns 327 career tallies.