[PAR] [TLE] 2006–07 Atlanta Thrashers season [SEP] The 2006–07 Atlanta Thrashers season began with the highest expectations in franchise history, even with the off-season loss of their second-leading scorer, Marc Savard, to the Boston Bruins.  Veteran centers Steve Rucchin, Niko Kapanen and Jon Sim were acquired in hopes help fill the loss of Savard.  With NHL superstars Marian Hossa and Ilya Kovalchuk and a healthy goaltender, Kari Lehtonen, the Thrashers clinched the first playoff berth in franchise history following the Toronto Maple Leafs' 7–2 loss to the New York Rangers on April 1.  The Thrashers had a highly disappointing playoff series against the New York Rangers, as they were swept with losses of 4–3, 2–1, 7–0, and 4–2. [PAR] [TLE] Ilya Kovalchuk [SEP] Ilya Valeryevich Kovalchuk (Russian: Илья́ Вале́рьевич Ковальчу́к ; born April 15, 1983) is a Russian professional ice hockey left winger currently playing for SKA Saint Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League.  He debuted in the Vysshaya Liga with Spartak Moscow, before continuing his career in the National Hockey League (NHL).  Drafted first overall in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft by the Atlanta Thrashers, he began his NHL career with them in 2001–02.  After eight seasons with the Thrashers, he was traded to the New Jersey Devils in February 2010, and later signed a 15-year, $100 million contract during the off-season after a 17-year, $102 million was rejected by the league as being an attempt to circumvent salary cap restrictions.  Three years later, he retired from the NHL on July 11, 2013, having played 11 seasons.  Kovalchuk is fifth all-time in overtime goals scored (14), and 18th all time in goals per game average (.511).  He is the seventh highest scoring Russian in NHL history.
[PAR] [TLE] 2006–07 Atlanta Thrashers season [ SEP ] The 2006–07 Atlanta Thrashers season began with the highest expectations in franchise history , even with the off - season loss of their second - leading scorer , Marc Savard , to the Boston Bruins . Veteran centers Steve Rucchin , Niko Kapanen and Jon Sim were acquired in hopes help fill the loss of Savard . With NHL superstars Marian Hossa and Ilya Kovalchuk and a healthy goaltender , Kari Lehtonen , the Thrashers clinched the first playoff berth in franchise history following the Toronto Maple Leafs ' 7–2 loss to the New York Rangers on April 1 . The Thrashers had a highly disappointing playoff series against the New York Rangers , as they were swept with losses of 4–3 , 2–1 , 7–0 , and 4–2 . [PAR] [TLE] Ilya Kovalchuk [ SEP ] Ilya Valeryevich Kovalchuk ( Russian : Илья́ Вале́рьевич Ковальчу́к ; born April 15 , 1983 ) is a Russian professional ice hockey left winger currently playing for SKA Saint Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League . He debuted in the Vysshaya Liga with Spartak Moscow , before continuing his career in the National Hockey League ( NHL ) . Drafted first overall in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft by the Atlanta Thrashers , he began his NHL career with them in 2001–02 . After eight seasons with the Thrashers , he was traded to the New Jersey Devils in February 2010 , and later signed a 15-year , $ 100 million contract during the off - season after a 17-year , $ 102 million was rejected by the league as being an attempt to circumvent salary cap restrictions . Three years later , he retired from the NHL on July 11 , 2013 , having played 11 seasons . Kovalchuk is fifth all - time in overtime goals scored ( 14 ) , and 18th all time in goals per game average ( .511 ) . He is the seventh highest scoring Russian in NHL history .
Which Russian NHL player helped lead the Atlanta Thrashers to their first playoff appearance?
Which Russian NHL player helped lead the Atlanta Thrashers to their first playoff appearance ?
Ilya Kovalchuk
Ilya Kovalchuk