Kovalchuk trade talk heats up

EDMONTON - Almost since the season began, with star winger Ilya Kovalchuk skating in the final year of his contract with Atlanta, the rumors have run rampant.

For weeks, the Flyers have been connected to the Kovalchuk sweepstakes. Those rumors heated up yesterday, as it appears Kovalchuk's time in Atlanta will be coming to an end at some point this week, long before Thrashers general manager Don Waddell is backed into a corner at the March 3 trade deadline.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported yesterday that Kovalchuk was told he could expect to be moved within "hours or days," as talks for a contract extension have broken down.

Kovalchuk, who reportedly has turned down an 8-year extension at $10 million a year, appears eager to enter free agency on July 1.

Team and league sources confirmed yesterday it would take a serious shakeup and change of philosophy for the Flyers to acquire Kovalchuk.

Kovalchuk, 26, has 31 goals and 58 points for Atlanta this season. He has played his entire career with the Thrashers since being drafted No. 1 overall in 2001.

The teams that appear to be in the running for Kovalchuk are Los Angeles, New Jersey and the New York Rangers. ESPN.com reports that the Flyers still are in the mix, too.

The Flyers would need to clear $6.5 million in cap space to acquire Kovalchuk just to fit him for the rest of the season. Waddell has said that an interested team would not have the option of negotiating an extension before acquiring him.

Some of the Flyers' high-priced players that have been linked to rumors - Simon Gagne, Scott Hartnell and Danny Briere - all have no-trade clauses.

One league source said the Flyers would only be involved in a deal with Atlanta to use Kovalchuk as a rental for the rest of this season, without much interest in extending him.

One thing is certain: Flyers GM Paul Holmgren has called Waddell. That isn't groundbreaking; most NHL general managers have checked in at least once with him during this run. But the sense that Daily News sources have gotten is that Holmgren is just checking to make sure that Kovalchuk "isn't being given away."

Aside from 35 career games as a Calgary Flame, Blair Betts has spent all five of his full NHL seasons in the Eastern Conference.

For most, that wouldn't mean much. Most players would welcome the easier travel schedule. For Betts, it means fewer trips to his hometown of Edmonton.

"We don't get a chance to come out here too often," Betts said.

"It's always fun playing in your hometown in front of lots of friends and family."

Last night was just Betts' fifth career NHL game at Rexall Place.

Betts grew up in Edmonton's Sherwood Park neighborhood, home also to Carolina goalie Cam Ward, Boston defenseman Andrew Ference and former Flyers coach Ken Hitchcock (who was fired yesterday by Columbus).

Betts is on pace for a career year.

When healthy, he has been one of the Flyers' most consistent players.

The softspoken center has missed 19 games with two shoulder injuries. Even though he has played in just 36 games, he is only four points away from besting his career high.

For more news and analysis, read Frank Seravalli's blog, Frequent Flyers, at http://go.philly.com/frequentflyers.