Kovalchuk To Possibly Return Thursday Night Against Rangers

The Atlanta Journal Constitution is reporting today that Ilya Kovalchuk has been skating in practice and could return Thursday against the Rangers.

“We’ll see how it feels [Wednesday] and take it from there,” Kovalchuk said. “If it’s sore, I’ll take it easy. If it’s going to be good, I’ll skate with the team again.”

Kovalchuk said he would consult with team trainers Wednesday about his status. He participated in every drill Tuesday and showed no signs that there was a problem with his foot.

“We are pretty happy with his progress,” Anderson said. “Everything is good to go. … Unless he says he doesn’t feel right, then he’s going to play.”

The Thrashers have played .500 hockey since Kovalchuk left an October 24th game against the San Jose Sharks.

Losing their captain and leading goal scorer is a certainly a blow to the Thrashers campaign for the playoffs. Whether it is a fatal blow or just a bout of adversity depends on how the team plays in his absence.There is no one in the minors or on the bench who can replace Kovalchuk’s rocket shot and blazing speed—it will be up to the team to adjust to meet this challenge?

The Falconer is correct on this one, there is no person in the Thrashers organization that can replace Kovalchuk. The question is whether the Thrashers can sustain themselves during the time that Kovalchuk is out of the lineup.

Kovalchuk is tied for second in the league with nine goals in eight games this season. He is one of the main reasons that the Thrashers have gotten off to a decent 4-3-1 start. If the Thrashers can at least play .500 hockey while Kovalchuk is out, they will have a very good chance of making a run at the playoffs.

TSN is reporting that Ilya Kovalchuk is officially out 2-4 weeks with a small fracture of a non-weight bearing bone in his foot. Kovalchuk sustained the injury when he took a puck off his foot on Saturday night, and did not return to the game.

Nick Kypreos of Sportsnet’s HockeyCentral radio show is reporting that Kovalchuck is out a minimum of one week, and 2-3 weeks at most with his injury.

Still no official news on the extent of his injury.