Ilya Kovalchuk has not played in the NHL since leaving North America in favour of Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League at 2013, but the superstar left-winger is set to make his return to the very best hockey league on the planet this summer as an unrestricted free agent.
When it comes to the odds on where Kovalchuk will land, on line 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 readily available to wager on.
Kovalchuk gets a blank slate
At 35, it’s no secret Kovalchuk is past his prime, but he will be a hot commodity in free service regardless of his era. The Russian established himself as among 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 moving on to the New Jersey Devils.
Kovalchuk’s time with the Devils was shrouded in controversy, but as his first contract with the club was closed down by the NHL for profit cap circumvention. Shortly after, the Devils inked him into some front-loaded 15-year, $100-million deal in 2010. Kovalchuk chose to”retire” three years into the contract to return home and play SKA St. Petersburg, walking away from $77 million due to him from the Devils. New Jersey kept his rights before he turned 35 in April and became a free agent.
Which group has the inside edge to sign the sniper?
Based on Darren Dreger of TSN, Kovalchuk is expected to fetch a contract period of 3 years with a mean annual value of $6 million per season. Kovalchuk’s main priority is winning a Stanley Cup, so expect him to be picky about a potential destination. He finished a California tour June 9 and 10, meeting with the Sharks and Kings — both valid Stanley Cup contenders.
While it’s understandable to see that 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 team, in my view. Packed with cap space and in need of an injection of talent, the Rangers make sense as the favorites, but the value on the Sharks and Kings makes each of them an interesting option.
For more betting info on the ice, go to our NHL page.

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