All those people circulating trade rumors can forget 'em.

Kovy was named captain tonight at Casino Night! Congrats, Ilya - the C's going on the chest of the guy who should have had it all season long. Thank you for your solid leadership both on and off the ice. You're the face of the franchise, big guy. Regardless of how the team does from here on out, the fans will keep being thankful that we have someone like you sticking up for us.

From the AJC:

“It’s business, and you never know what’s going to happen,” Kovalchuk said, “but today I’m happy and I hope I’m going to stay here for as long as I’m going to play. I love the city. My family loves the city. And I feel very comfortable around that group of guys [on the team].”

Kovalchuk had been one of five alternate captains this season. The alternates asked a week ago that Kovalchuk be named captain, and Waddell and coach John Anderson agreed.

...

Kovalchuk, the first pick of the 2001 draft, has been with the franchise longer than any other player. In the past, he resisted the idea of responsibility to do more than be the best player he could be. Over the past several weeks, though, he has been more active in one of the captain’s duties, as a team spokesman. But he still plans to pick his spots when exercising his authority or setting himself apart.

“I want to be an example on the ice,” he said. “I’m not going to be one of those guys who’s going to scream and yell in the locker room. When I have to say something, I will for sure. But the most important thing, we have to be 22 captains if we want to make the playoffs.”