Ilya Kovalchuk made his debut with the Montreal Canadiens Monday night against the Winnipeg Jets.
Kovalchuk, who signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Canadiens on Jan. 3, skated on a line with Tomas Tatar and Phillip Danault this morning, slotting in for the injured Brendan Gallagher.
The club confirmed that the veteran sniper would debut on the team’s top line, as well as the top power-play unit.
“Obviously the coach put me on one of the top lines so it’s a lot of responsibility,” Kovalchuk told reporters after the gameday skate. “But I’m feeling good, I’m ready to go.”
The 36-year-old hasn’t played a game since Nov. 9.
Kovalchuk’s three-year, $18.75-million deal with the Los Angeles Kings was terminated in December just three months into his second season with the club, before eventually signing with Montreal.
In 17 games with the Kings this season before ending his time there as a long-term healthy scratch, the 36-year-old forward had three goals and nine points.
Montreal currently sits outside of a playoff spot and sixth in the Atlantic Division.
