Kovalchuk re-signs in Atlanta

Barring any immigration issues, the Thrashers expect their star
forward to be in the lineup as early as Wednesday.

Sportsnet.ca -- Ilya Kovalchuk is staying in Atlanta after all.

Sportsnet has learned that the Thrashers and Kovalchuk have agreed on
a 5-year deal worth 32.5 million dollars.

After Kovalchuk's agent Jay Grossman and Atlanta general manager Don
Waddell spent all day Friday in negotiations, an agreement was finally
reached, with final details to be ironed out on the weekend.

It was believed that Kovalchuk was looking for close to $7 million a
season over five years while the Thrashers were offering $5.5 million.
The winger had said he intended to go to his hometown Russia on Sunday
if a deal wasn't worked out and would have played in the Russian Super
League, possibly as early as next week.

Now barring any immigration issues, Atlanta expects their star to be
in the lineup as early as Wednesday.