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Atlanta trades Kovalchuk to Devils

ATLANTA, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- The Atlanta Thrashers, having failed to sign star forward Ilya Kovalchuk to a long-term deal, traded him Thursday to New Jersey.

Kovalchuk and defenseman Anssi Salmela were dealt in exchange for defenseman Johnny Oduya, right wing Nicklas Bergfors and forward Patrice Cormier. Atlanta will also receive a first-round draft pick.

Earlier in the day, Atlanta General Manager Don Waddell announced Kovalchuk had rejected a series of proposals from the Thrashers. One would have paid Kovalchuk $101 million over 12 years.

Kovalchuk is in the last year of his contract and would have become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Atlanta has made the playoffs just once in Kovalchuk's eight-year career. New Jersey has won the Atlantic Division three of the last four years and leads the division again this season by one point over Pittsburgh.

Kovalchuk has scored 50 goals twice and he has 31 goals with 27 assists in 49 games this season. He is Atlanta's all-time leader in almost every offensive category, including goals (328), assists (287) and games played (594).

Dustin Johnson leads on PGA Tour

PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif., Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Dustin Johnson shot a bogey-free, 7-under 64 Thursday to take the lead after the opening round of the Northern Trust Open.

Two-time defending champion Phil Mickelson, who chose not to use a controversial wedge during play this week, struggled with his putter and settled for a 72 over the Riviera Country Club course.

Johnson has won twice on the PGA Tour and challenged for a major title last year before finishing fifth at the PGA Championship. He had a one-shot lead over Andres Romero and Kevin Stadler.

Ricky Barnes and Brandt Snedeker were tied for fourth at 66 while Steve Stricker, the third-ranked player in the world, was among those at 67. David Duval shot his low round of the young season, a 68, and was tied with Ernie Els and 18-year-old Japanese star Ryo Ishikawa.

Mickelson was 3-under through 11 holes, but played the final seven in 4-over.

He did not carry his Ping Eye 2 wedge during the opening round, having announced earlier in the week he would try to avoid controversy by abandoning the club. Although the 20-year-old club has been cleared for play by the PGA Tour, some players feel using it breaks the spirit of the rules because newer, similar clubs have been banned.

Scott McCarron accused Mickelson of cheating last week when Mickelson used the club. Mickelson said he had been slandered and McCarron eventually apologized.

McCarron, who has not made a cut in three tournaments this season, shot a 74 Friday.

Report: Tomlinson won't play again for Chargers

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Longtime Chargers' running back Ladainian Tomlinson told The San Diego Union-Tribune Thursday he knows he has played his last game for San Diego.

Tomlinson, the NFL's 2006 MVP, had hinted at the prospect Jan. 17 after San Diego's 17-14 loss to the New York Jets in an AFC divisional playoff contest.

"It's mixed emotions," he told the newspaper. "I gave the organization everything I have (but) the business part sucks. I won't miss that."

He added he doesn't know when the Chargers will release him.

Tomlinson, 30, who is due a $2 million roster bonus on March 5, has rushed for 12,490 yards on 2,880 carries with 138 touchdowns in nine NFL seasons.

Paul out a month with knee injury

NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- The New Orleans Hornets announced Thursday point guard Chris Paul would be out at least a month following arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.

Paul suffered the injury last week and, after consultation with a specialist in Florida, it was determined surgery was needed.

"Obviously this is a tough thing for me," Paul said. "I have been fortunate through my career as a basketball player to not have suffered many injuries. The main thing is for me to get back healthy and to help this team however I can."

Paul was recently selected to play in what would have been his third All-Star Game. He is leading the Hornets in scoring at 20.4 points per game and is No. 1 in the NBA in assists with 11.2 per contest.

Rookie Darren Collison will start in Paul's absence.