The Unknown Poster Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/report-ilya-kovalchuk-eyeing-return-nhl/ The 2016 NHL off-season could be an interesting one. A report from Finland’s Iltalehti says Ilya Kovalchuk has expressed to his KHL club, SKA Saint Petersburg, a desire to return to the NHL for the 2016-17 season. According to the KHL website, Kovalchuk’s contract with SKA expires on April 30, 2017. The 31-year-old star has spent the past two seasons in the KHL after shocking the hockey world in July 2013 when he left the NHL. In order to facilitate the move back to his home country, the uber-talented winger had to officially retire from the NHL and in doing so, leave $77 million on the table three years into the 15-year, $100-million contract he signed with the New Jersey Devils in 2010. If Kovalchuk does choose to return to the NHL in 2016, the move will need to be approved by all 30 NHL teams because Kovalchuk signed his voluntary retirement papers. Otherwise he’d have to wait until the 2018-19 season to return to the NHL as an unrestricted free agent at age 35. It’s too early to say whether or not there would be a team or teams opposed to Kovalchuk returning, however, according to a 2013 report from Larry Brooks of the New York Post, if Kovalchuk sits out a full calendar year he can return to the NHL as a UFA prior to 2018-19 as long as he gets consent from the Devils. Shortly after his decision to leave the Devils, Kovalchuk’s sister was quoted as saying her brother planned on returning to the NHL after spending at least three seasons in the KHL. Kovalchuk responded to those claims by saying, "I am not going to Russia to start thinking about coming back to the NHL." Kovalchuk was taken first overall by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 2001 NHL Draft. In 816 career NHL games he has 417 goals and 816 points. He ranks 18th in NHL history averaging .511 goals per game. Only Steven Stamkos (.565) and countryman Alex Ovechkin (.625) average more goals per game among active NHLers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iso_55 Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 He should just leave. He doesn't view anything written on paper as valid anyway. Mr Dee and Noeller 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Pop Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 Come back to Atlanta Winnipeg! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iso_55 Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 Come back to Atlanta Winnipeg! Why? The guy is a Me First player. Chemistry in the dressing room & on the ice is just as important as talent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Unknown Poster Posted March 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 it would be amusing if he had to honour his KHL contract. The NHL will certainly make him. if he comes back, you have to question his intelligence to walk away from $77 million dollars only to come back a few years later for a lot less money. I hope the K paid him very very well. I always liked him though. Very talented and if I recall correctly he played tough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweep the leg Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 I'd love to see one of the owners refuse to sign off on him coming back. Good player, but I've never liked him. Brandon 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Pop Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 Come back to Atlanta Winnipeg! Why? The guy is a Me First player. Chemistry in the dressing room & on the ice is just as important as talent. Just a poor joke s'all. I have no interest in him on the Jets...and frankly, I don't even care if he comes back to the NHL or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 I for one welcome back our franchise's all time leading scorer. SPuDS 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Pop Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 I for one welcome back our franchise's all time leading scorer. Dale's pretty much on the staff already, what with all those kids we're drafting from Barrie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Unknown Poster Posted March 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 I for one welcome back our franchise's all time leading scorer. Dale's pretty much on the staff already, what with all those kids we're drafting from Barrie Someone mentioned Dale's kid so I looked him up. Just turned 17, plays for...wait for it...wait for it...Barrie. Wonder if he has a shot at making it (drafted 6th round by Barrie if I recall). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Pop Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 I for one welcome back our franchise's all time leading scorer. Dale's pretty much on the staff already, what with all those kids we're drafting from Barrie Someone mentioned Dale's kid so I looked him up. Just turned 17, plays for...wait for it...wait for it...Barrie. Wonder if he has a shot at making it (drafted 6th round by Barrie if I recall). With their 3rd pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft the Winnipeg Jets select.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ducky Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 He's got 9 points in 59 games and is a -12, would you selct him in the 3rd round? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noeller Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 I would love to see IK perma-banned by the NHL. **** everything about that guy. I was sincerely hoping that his move would open to door to get rid of all guys like that, most notably AO.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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