Ilya Kovalchuk hasn’t played in the NHL since leaving North America in favour of Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League in 2013, but the celebrity left-winger is set to make his return to the very best hockey league in the world this summer as a unrestricted free agent.
If it comes to the odds on where Kovalchuk will land, online sportsbook BetOnline has tabbed the New York Rangers since the +200 front-runners, with the Los Angeles Kings (+250), San Jose Sharks (+300), New York Islanders (+400), New Jersey Devils (+600) and Carolina Hurricanes (+1000) also available to bet on.
Kovalchuk gets a clean slate
At 35, it’s no secret Kovalchuk is past his prime, but he’ll be a hot commodity at no service regardless of his age. The Russian established himself as one of the most prolific goal scorers in the NHL in his 11 decades, compiling 417 goals and 399 assists in 816 career games. Kovalchuk spent his first eight seasons with the now-defunct Atlanta Thrashers prior to continuing on to the New Jersey Devils.
Kovalchuk’s time with the Devils was shrouded in controversy, but as his first contract with the team was closed down by the NHL for salary cap circumvention. Shortly after, the Devils inked him to a front-loaded 15-year, $100-million deal in 2010. Kovalchuk chose to”retire” three years into the contract to return home and play for SKA St. Petersburg, walking away from $77 million thanks to him from the Devils. New Jersey kept his rights before he turned 35 in April and became a free agent.
Which team has the inside edge to signal the sniper?
According to Darren Dreger of TSN, Kovalchuk is expected to fetch a contract term of 3 years with an average yearly value of $6 million annually. Kovalchuk’s most important priority is winning a Stanley Cup, so expect him to be picky on a potential destination. He completed a California tour June 9 and 10, meeting with the Sharks and Kings — both legitimate Stanley Cup contenders.
While it’s understandable to see the Devils on the board at +600, there’s simply too much bad blood between the two sides for Kovalchuk to be reunited with his former staff, in my opinion. Packed with cap space and needing an injection of gift, the Rangers make sense as the favorites, but the value on the Sharks and Kings makes them an interesting choice.
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