As talented as Ilya Kovalchuk is and as much as the Flames need some scoring help, the team isn't expected to pursue Atlanta's captain, the Calgary Sun reports.
Kovalchuk, who can become an unrestricted free agent July 1, is expected to be traded before the Mar. 3 trade deadline as negotiations between his agent and the Thrashers have not gone swimmingly.
A number of teams, including the Los Angeles Kings and Vancouver Canucks, are interested in Kovalchuk, but Flames GM Darryl Sutter told the Sun he isn't planning on moving players like Dion Phaneuf or Robyn Regehr in a blockbuster deal.
"(Kovalchuk's) a star player who is unrestricted next year, so you'd have to give up players under contract for a guy who isn't -- I don't think that's a move that's in the best interest of the organization," Sutter said.
"When you have a $7 million player (Jarome Iginla), you aren't going to be able to have a $10 million player, too."
Even though Kovalchuk may be out of the picture, Sutter admitted the Flames have enough cap space to add players before the deadline.
Another area Sutter is focusing on is the future of impending UFAs Olli Jokinen and Rene Bourque.
"We've talked to Bourque and Olli (Jokinen) off and on all year, but it's not to the point we're going to talk about finalizing any sort of deal," said Sutter.
Files from:
Calgary Sun
