Ilya Kovalchuk figures to add punch to a tepid Devils attack. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

A day after being acquired in a deal with the Atlanta Thrashers, Ilya Kovalchuk will make his New Jersey Devils debut Friday night at home against the Toronto Maple Leafs (7 p.m. ET).

The high-scoring winger took the ice for the first time as a Devil in the morning skate, working on a line with Dainius Zubrus and captain Jamie Langenbrunner. Coach Jacques Lemaire wouldn't say whether he'd use that combination against the Leafs.

"I am very excited," said Kovalchuk, who's a good bet to man the point on the power play. "This is the fist time in my career I got a chance to play for a first-class organization, the team who won three Stanley Cups. You just look around the locker room, and guys like Marty Brodeur, legends in this game, and it's very exciting."

Kovalchuk, 26, was traded to the Devils on Thursday night with defenceman Anssi Salmela in return for defenceman Johnny Oduya, rookie forward Niclas Bergfors, junior prospect Patrice Cormier and a first-round draft pick.

Atlanta GM Don Waddell, who drafted Kovalchuk with the first overall pick in 2001, felt he had no choice but to try and get something in return for his franchise player before he had the chance to hit free agency on July 1.

Waddell took the unconventional step of issuing a statement earlier Thursday outlining the hefty contract demands of Kovalchuk, who Waddell claimed rejected offers of $70 million US over seven years and $101 million over 12 years in the hope of landing a long-term deal worth $11 million annually.

"This wasn't an easy deal to make," Waddell said. "Ilya Kovalchuk has been with us eight years.

"He has been the face of the franchise. Now we have to turn the page."

Devils anticipate scoring boost

One of the finest scorers in the NHL, Kovalchuk has potted at least 41 goals in each of the last five years — twice netting 52 — and he's got 31 goals in 49 games this season. Still, Atlanta has made the playoffs just once in his seven full seasons with the team.

Some have knocked the Russian for what's perceived as indifferent defensive play, but that doesn't figure to be a problem in New Jersey, where the Devils are the stingiest team in the NHL at 2.25 goals allowed per game.

The Jersey offence, though, could use the kind of boost Kovalchuk offers. It ranks 21st in the league at 2.54 goals per game.

Since 2001, no one has more goals than Kovalchuk's 328.

"He is a guy that can change a game, a player that can make other players score," Lemaire said. "Strong athlete, good skater, a great shot, so there is no doubt that he is going to make this team better. I talked a lot about having one line that is a threat on the ice, but I think we will be able to get two."

Zubrus said Kovalchuk's arrival can invigorate the Devils.

"We feel our organization is making that push," the winger said. "You don't get a guy like that if you don't believe you have a chance, so obviously him coming here gives us a better chance. He is one of those guys who will make our team better. We have a lot of good players here, and no matter what your role, everybody has to be better."

Brodeur, who's seen a star sniper or two in his day, marvelled at Kovalchuk's skills.

"He is up there with [Alexander] Ovechkin with how he can release his shot and how hard it comes," Brodeur said. "There aren't many guys in the league who can shoot like that and his stats show it all."

Kovalchuk joins a Devils team that leads the Atlantic Division by a point over the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins.

New Jersey (35-18-2), which has two games in hand on the Pens, has been in a funk since mid-January, going just 3-7-1 in its last 11 contests.

Phaneuf, Giguere make strong 1st impressions

The Devils could have used Kovalchuk on Tuesday night, when they were shut out 3-0 in Toronto by the lowly Leafs. Lemaire gave Brodeur his first night off in 40 games, and backup Yann Danis allowed three goals on 26 shots.

Toronto (18-28-11) unveiled its own blockbuster acquisition on Tuesday, as defenceman Dion Phaneuf made his Leafs debut a couple days after arriving in a trade with Calgary. Phaneuf logged a hearty 24:21 of ice time, finished with a plus-1 rating, and delighted the home crowd by dropping the gloves with Jersey's Colin White.

"It was a great honour to put this jersey on and to be a part of this organization," said Phaneuf, who was rumoured to be clashing with teammates and coaches in Calgary. "The fans were unbelievable. To be on this side and playing in front of them wearing this jersey, it meant a lot to me. It was a very special game in my career."

Jean-Sebastien Giguere — the other big name acquired by Toronto GM Brian Burke in last Sunday's frantic day of dealing — made 30 saves for the shutout in his first game as a Leaf.

"It was a good result," said the former Anaheim Duck, who arrived in a separate trade. "Since I've come here, over the last 48 hours, I really like what I've seen from the rest of the team. Everybody's really focused. Everybody's working really hard. Tonight, you could tell."

The Leafs return home to face the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night (CBC, CBCSports.ca, 6:30 p.m. ET).

With files from The Associated Press