While it’s hard to know until you see him play on North American ice again, it certainly looks like Ilya Kovalchuk could still be an elite scorer in the NHL.
He just wrapped up winning an Olympic Gold Medal and his contract with the KHL is up at the end of this season. He might be one of the biggest names to hit free-agency in recent years, but he might be kind of trumped by Islanders forward John Tavares. With the Islanders’ captain taking all the attention, perhaps a team will sweep in and grab Kovalchuk, because he officially intends to return to the NHL.
In addition to his decision to return, it appears as if there won’t be any of the hold ups that prevented him from signing with a team last season.
Similar rumours started around the same time last year and then because he had to do a kind of sign and trade through the Devils, his value was driven down heavily. Now, with no strings attached, who knows what kind of money he could command.
We just want him back for his celebrations. We’ll never forget the moment where he pointed at Crosby after scoring while the Penguins captain was in the box.
