If you’re looking for betting tips in the NHL, you’ve probably kept a close eye on the Ilya Kovalchuk sweepstakes, as the Atlanta Thrashers’ winger is by far the most impressive piece of bait out there for teams looking to get some more offense for a playoff run.

Philadelphia, Boston, New Jersey, Vancouver and Los Angeles are reported to be the main anglers for Kovalchuk, a 50-goal guy who has matured over the years as the captain of the Thrashers. The Bruins are in freefall and have scored the fewest goals in the league, and maybe they could throw in a pick that they received from Toronto for Phil Kessel, as it looks to be a top-10 pick, at least. The Devils are also in need of scoring, but GM Lou Lamoriello won’t break the bank for Kovalchuk. Philadelphia may have the best set of players to offer the Thrashers, and you’d have to think Atlanta would want someone like Jeff Carter, the Flyers’ leading scorer, involved. Remember, Carter was almost moved to Toronto for Tomas Kaberle a couple of years ago.

The two Western Conference teams, the Canucks and Kings, may be the darkhorses in this race, even though the Thrashers would do better to send him out of conference. But, would the Canucks break up the potent line of Alex Burrows and the Sedin twins, Henrik and Daniel? And if that’s the case, would Kovalchuk take being relegated to the second line? The Kings have emerged, although they’re apparently going after Carolina’s Ray Whitney, who would be a more economical solution. Kovalchuk would welcome a move there as he would form a deadly duo with Anze Kopitar, and who wouldn’t want to live in Los Angeles?

NHL betting pick: I’d bet on Kovalchuk ending up in Philadelphia, but don’t be surprised if he’s a King, either.