Ilya Kovalchuk has started his visits with NHL teams, fans further speculate where he'll end up

The hockey season is officially over, but there's still excitement in the air as the draft and free agency are right around the corner.

There are some big names fans will be keeping an eye on as we get closer to July 1st and one of those names is Ilya Kovalchuk.  The 35-year-old has spent the last 5 seasons playing in the KHL, but he's coming back to the NHL.

As for what team he's going to play for, that's the million dollar question nobody has the answer to just yet.  We do, however, know two of the teams he's met/set to meet with thanks to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger.

Kovalchuk is starting his visits out West and who can blame him.  He's made it known that he wants to win the Stanley Cup and the Kings and Sharks are usually in that conversation each and every season.

It'll be interesting to discover what other teams Kovalchuk decides to visit with before making a decision, but we're already intrigued with the prospect of him playing in California.