Kovalchuk Obstacles (Larry Brooks New York Post)

Larry Brooks of the New York Posts write in his Sunday column that Atlanta Thrashers GM Don Waddell will not allow teams interested in trading for prized winger Ilya Kovalchuk to negotiate a contract extension before a trade is complete. Brooks goes onto write that Don Waddell does not want Ilya Kovalchuk’s agent Jay Grossman

Video: Anton Volchenkov Collides With Michael Cammalleri

Thanks to our friends at BallHype for originally posting this video! Ottawa Senator defenseman Anton Volchenkov lays a killer hit on Montreal Canadiens Michael Cammalleri during the CBC’s Saturday Hockey Night in Canada program. Hopefully both individuals are able to walk away without injury.

Radulov Rolling In Russia

Forward Alexander Radulov was a starter in Saturday’s Continental Hockey League all-star game. He picked up an assist for Team Yashin, which fell 11-6 to Team Jagr…So far this season, Radulov, who left the Predators two summers ago with a year remaining on his contract, is fifth in the KHL in scoring with 55 points

Hedberg’s Saturday Start Makes Four Straight

Saturday’s game against the Nashville Predators marked the fourth straight start for goalie Johan Hedberg over Slava Kozlov. Prior to last nights game, Hedberg has been nothing short of terrific, allowing only six goals (1.5 GAA) and stopping 116-of122 shots (.950).

Pekka Rinne’s 23 Saves Key In 4-3 Win Over Atlanta

Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne, who stopped 23 shots, had some key saves including on Maxim Afinogenov at the end of one of the power plays and Ilya Kovalchuk on a breakaway. Rinne, who has been alternating starts with Dan Ellis, said it was time for some big saves (Teresa M. Walker, The Canadian Press 1/30/2010).