Kozlov requests trade from Thrashers

Thrashers forward Slava Kozlov has requested a trade due to his lack of playing time and would be willing to waive his no trade clause, he told me on Friday.

“I don’t know if I’m going to be on this team or another team,” Kozlov said. “If we can find a team which I like and which is good for me and my family I will go. If not, I’m going to be here. …

With coach not playing me, what can you do? That’s why I feel I could go play for somebody that needs my help. Is so, I’ll waive my no trade clause.”

Kozlov’s agent met with Thrashers general manager Don Waddell in Chicago before the team’s final game before the two-week Olympic break.

“He’s disappointed with his reduced role of the ice,” Waddell said. “Like I explained to his agent, coaches make a decision and that they are trying to win games. They feel like right now he’s not in the top group of 12 guys and other guys are giving us more.

“I told his agent you control it because you have a no-trade. If you guys are willing to waive your no trade than I will explore and that’s how we left it.”

Waddell said he has had little contact with other teams because executives are just starting to return from the Olympic break.

Kozlov said he would waive the no-trade clause to join a playoff contender.

“We are waiting right now,” Kozlov said. ” I will think about it, talk to my family and my wife and see.”

Kozlov had his franchise record 251 consecutive starts streak snapped when he was a healthy scratch on Jan. 23 at Tampa Bay. He missed the next four games before returning to the lineup for two games on Feb. 5-6. He was also a healthy scratch the three following games leading to the Olympic break and the meeting in Chicago.

“He’s done a lot of great things for us,” Waddell said. ” He’s been a good player for us. Right now, we give our coaches 23 players and they make up the lineup. Right now, they have other players they would rather play in front of him. It’s part of the business, not the fun part. I know Kozzy wants to play next year and if it won’t happen here, he wants to look at other options.”