September 18, 2008 Ilya Kovalchuk returned to Atlanta from Russia in preparation for training camp, but he was minus his two front lower teeth, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
May 19, 2008 Ilya Kovalchuk helped to lead the Russian National Team to the 2008 IIHF World Championship over Canada five to four, according to the Miami Herald.
April 7, 2008 Ilya Kovalchuk isn't happy with the way that the season went in Atlanta this year, and he wasn't shy about it while speaking to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. "I want to win something before my contract is up," Kovalchuk said. "Hopefully, we can make the right moves and go forward. Not stand in the same place..."It's six years here now and nothing really changed." When a guy with 50 goals in two of the last three seasons speaks, you would hope the organization will listen. The team lost Marian Hossa at the deadline this year because they couldn't pay him, and the same thing could happen in two years when Kovalchuck's contract runs out.
