One of the world's deadliest wingers could be making a return the NHL very soon.
After spending four years in Russia's KHL, Ilya Kovalchuk is reportedly interested in playing in the NHL again next season, according to hockey insider Elliotte Friedman.
"Let it be known he wants to come back," Friedman said on Hockey Night in Canada Saturday.
Kovalchuk shocked the hockey world when he retired from the NHL in 2013. Just three years earlier, he had signed a 17-year, $102 million deal with the New Jersey Devils. He ended up signing a a four-year deal with SKA Saint Petersburg of the KHL. Kovalchuk is reportedly the KHL's highest-paid player at $5.5 million a year.
The Devils still own Kovalchuk's rights, but he could play for a different team if all 31 teams sign off on it.
"But here's the way that this I think is going to work: if he doesn’t want to play for New Jersey or if New Jersey doesn’t want him playing for them, and neither the agent nor the team is commenting on this," Friedman said. "I think whoever gets him is going to work out either a sign and trade with New Jersey or they’re going to trade for his rights."
The 34-year-old Kovalchuk could be the biggest fish on the open market this summer. He's still a game-changing player.
Kovalchuk finished second in the KHL in scoring this season, scoring 32 goals and 78 points in 60 games.