On Friday, it was reported that the Bruins, Kings, Sharks, and Golden Knights were the top four teams on Ilya Kovalchuk's radar.
Kovalchuk had never played for a Western Conference team before leaving the NHL for the KHL, but that's going to change as the Kings announced they've signed the dynamic goal scorer to a three-year deal.
BREAKING: The Kings have announced Ilya #Kovalchuk has signed a 3-year deal.
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KHL's leading scorer and 2018 Olympic MVP Ilya Kovalchuk will join the LA Kings for the 2018-19 season after agreeing to terms on a 3-year contract.https://t.co/xp15gyuKBu
— LA Kings (@LAKings) June 23, 2018
Ilya Kovalchuk signs exact contract Patrick Marleau got from the #Leafs: 3 years x $6.25 million. That's exactly the comparable Kovalchuk's agent, JP Barry from @CAAHockey, sought from the get-go weeks ago.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) June 23, 2018
Ilya Kovalchuk signs exact contract Patrick Marleau got from the #Leafs: 3 years x $6.25 million. That's exactly the comparable Kovalchuk's agent, JP Barry from @CAAHockey, sought from the get-go weeks ago.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) June 23, 2018
— Alec (@ThatItalianAlec) June 23, 2018
Can’t wait for this to back fire.
— TylerKaroway (@TyKaroway) June 23, 2018
goes to the team that beats him in the finals. the kevin durant of hockey
— Sean Harrington (@sharrington2000) June 23, 2018
If you can’t beat em join em
— dennis wilkins (@dennismwilkins) June 23, 2018
This would’ve been a good signing 4 years ago
— STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS // Worth The Wait (@DCFan21) June 23, 2018
BREAKING NEWS: Ilya Kovalchuk announces his retirement from the NHL immediately after signing 3 year contract.
— RK (@_likeKlockwork) June 23, 2018
This is the 2018 version of the Lucic signing.
— Lee Sorochan (@soro77) June 23, 2018
Lets see if he flakes out after a year and then retires back to the KHL.
— William Doyle (@W_Doyle_Photo) June 23, 2018
— Emmanuel Elefante (@DL05EE) June 23, 2018
Kinda glad #SJSharks were out on this
— Collin Dyczkowsky (@C_Dyczkowsky) June 23, 2018
— Wrage😈 (@TheWrage) June 23, 2018
Yikes
— brad spicher (@bradspicher) June 23, 2018
Kings now have over 12mil in salary cap tied into Dustin Brown and Ilya Kovalchuk. pic.twitter.com/nTFF1ADMje
— Kyle Murray (@Kj_Murray1228) June 23, 2018
Would rather have Marleau.
— Jeff Bartja (@JDBartja) June 23, 2018
LOL talk about massive overpay
— Kyle Ward (@canucksareweird) June 23, 2018
ILYA KOVALCHUK IS BACK IN THE NHL AND ON THE KINGS!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/Ac2h7vUbR8
— NHL Chirps (@ryanchirpz) June 23, 2018
Kovalchuk’s return to New Jersey: Feb. 5
— David Satriano (@davidsatriano) June 23, 2018
Put a little speed with Kopitar and Kovalchuk with Doughty behind them and you’ve got something.
— Travis Yost (@travisyost) June 23, 2018
With Kovalchuk on team, the Kings now have $3.075M in available salary cap space.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) June 23, 2018
I can’t help but imagine watching Ovechkin lift the Cup was invigorating and infuriating for Kovalchuk. I’m excited to see him return to the NHL.
— Surly Jacob (@surlierthanthou) June 23, 2018
Welcome Ilya Kovalchuk ! Who wouldn’t want to play in LA ! #BeverlyHills #Hollywood
— Marco Pellegrino ❿ © (@Pellegri23) June 23, 2018
The @LAKings sign Ilya Kovalchuk to a 3 year deal with an AAV 6.25 million per year. I really like this signing for LA. They need someone who can fill the net, he can do just that! Him and Kopitar together..... watch out @NHL ! #LAKings
— Jeremy Roenick (@Jeremy_Roenick) June 23, 2018
Kovalchuk going to the Kings is ridiculous.
— Shan (@shannonc9513) June 23, 2018
Kovalchuk left the NHL when he would still score 50 just to come back to play for LA and score 30 smh
— Chris C (@ChapGod) June 23, 2018
3 years? 🤦🏻♂️
— lapd334128 (@lapd334128) June 23, 2018
I’m low key happy the Sharks didn’t get him
— Raudel Wilson (@raudelwilson) June 23, 2018
I bet he only plays 1 year and then retires
— Brandon V Toczek (@toczek_v) June 23, 2018
Annnnnnd he already wants to play in the KHL in 2020.
— Big Mike (@BigMike8109) June 23, 2018
