By Jordan Long
Ilya Kovalchuk wants to return to the NHL. He has not appeared in the NHL since he retired in 2013 to play for St Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). His agent Jay Grossman has already told New Jersey Devils General Manager Ray Shero of Kovalchuk’s intention to come back. According to ESPN, Grossman said, “Ilya asked me to make his intention to explore the options to return to the NHL known to Ray Shero, which has been done.”
Kovalchuk is a veteran of the NHL playing in 816 games for two different teams, the Atlanta Thrashers, who are now the Winnipeg Jets, and the New Jersey Devils. In those games he scored 417 goals and added 399 assists for a total of 816 points.
Kovalchuk would enhance any team on the power play or the power play kill. He is able to hold on to the puck on the power play to find his teammates. Much of the time those power plays end with the puck in the back of the net. Kovalchuk scored 138 goals on the power play. On the power play kill he poke checks the puck away and shoots it into the other end to kill the penalty. Kovalchuk can even set up an odd man rush for short-handed goals.
On even strength opportunities Kovalchuk’s speed makes it difficult for a defenseman to knock him off the puck. He can skate past the defense for a scoring chance. His vision on the ice allows him to pass to his teammates for them to have a scoring opportunity.
For Kovalchuk to come back, he would first need to get approval from all 30 NHL teams. Once that occurs a contract must be signed with the Devils, as they own his NHL rights. He is on the NHL’s voluntary retirement list and wouldn’t be eligible to do that until July 1st. The Devils aren’t the only team he could play for next season. If Kovalchuk wishes to play for another team, New Jersey would need to do a sign and trade.
Kovalchuk is still a decent skater. He can light the lamp with 106 goals in 245 games during his time in the KHL. Hopefully the Devils see enough in him to want to keep him on the roster or deal him to another team for Kovalchuk to continue his NHL career.
What do you think of Ilya Kovalchuk trying for an NHL comeback?
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