Ilya Kovalchuk may already have his next destination planned out.
According to Pavel Lysenkov of SovSport, the Russian forward plans to join SKA St. Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League, the same team he played with during last season’s NHL lockout.
Some have speculated that Kovalchuk could make over $15 million per season if he joins the KHL on a full-time basis.
Kovalchuk shocked the hockey world when the New Jersey Devils announced that the 30-year-old was retiring from the NHL.
He still had 12 years and $77 million remaining on his contract with the Devils.
“This decision was something I have thought about for a long time going back to the lockout and spending the year in Russia,” Kovalchuk said in a statement.
“Though I decided to return this past season, Lou was aware of my desire to go back home and have my family there with me. The most difficult thing for me is to leave the New Jersey Devils, a great organization that I have a lot of respect for, and our fans that have been great to me.”