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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Knightfall" data-source="post: 2636791" data-attributes="member: 2012">Kovalchuk heading back to RussiaThe Atlanta Thrashers star has had enough of the stalled contract talks between himself and the team.Sportsnet.ca -- Ilya Kovalchuk is packing his bags and heading home.According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Thrashers all-star left wing is heading back to Russia and intends to play in the Russian Super League."It's my intention to go back to Russia on Sunday," Kovalchuk told the Journal. "I haven't heard from [Thrashers'] management. I don't know [what is going to happen]. If they call right now and offer something then maybe [a contract can be completed]. But otherwise I'm going back to Russia."If Kovalchuk plays a game in Russia (starts Wednesday) it will essentially end any chance of him playing in the NHL this season. Any player who plays in Europe after the NHL season starts must clear waivers to return to his NHL team. Any of 29 teams could claim Kovalchuk, a virtual certainty, meaning the Thrashers would lose him.Despite the ever-shrinking deadline, Atlanta general manager Don Waddell is still optimistic he can sign the restricted free agent."I'm confident that we're going to continue to negotiate and get a deal done," said Waddell.It's believed Kovalchuk is looking for close to $7 million a season over five years while the Thrashers are offering $5.5 million.</blockquote>