It appears Ilya Kovalchuk’s return to the NHL will be postponed for at least another year.
According to Larry Brooks of the New York Post, the Russian forward plans on playing one more season in the KHL. Kovalchuk’s agent has reportedly confirmed the news.
Kovalchuk’s contract with St. Petersburg SKA expired on May 30 and he had expressed an interesting in potentially returning to the NHL for the 2017-18 season.
The 34-year-old scored 417 goals during an 11-year NHL career spent with the Atlanta Thrashers and New Jersey Devils. He announced his retirement and returned to his native Russia in 2013, three years after signed a 15-year, $100-million deal with the Devils in 2010.
Kovalchuk would’ve had to sign with the Devils, or agree to a sign-and-trade, in order to return to the NHL this year per the CBA.
If Kovalchuk decides to return to the NHL in 2018 he will be 35, the Devils will not have any rights to the player and he will be an unrestricted free agent.
Kovalchuk had 32 goals and 78 points in 60 KHL games this past season and hoisted the Gagarin Cup.
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