Another team jumps into Kovalchuk sweepstakes!

The free-agent market in the National Hockey League has been opened for weeks now and it sounds like interest is picking up for veteran forward Ilya Kovalchuk, who says he is not done playing hockey. 

With teams crunching numbers to get under the flattened cap, Kovy feels confident knowing he proved what he can do on a small contract. Back in December, his deal with the Los Angeles Kings was terminated and the veteran forward found the perfect fit with the Montreal Canadiens on a league minimum, $700,000 contract. We however didn’t get to see much after he was traded to the Washington Capitals at the deadline. He put up four points in seven games before Covid shut down the season and struggled - as the rest of the Caps did - in the qualifying round of the NHL’s Return to Play plan. Earlier this week, it was reported that the Habs were once again interest in Kovalchuk and might have talked about an offer with the 37-year-old. 

However, they might not be the only one looking to ink him to a deal. Bleacher Report believes the Carolina Hurricanes are also in the mix to add Kovalchuk to their roster and “have room to play around with contracts, especially in the case of a league-minimum deal that would bring in another veteran to work alongside captain Jordan Staal in an effort to give the 2018-19 Eastern Conference finalists a facelift heading into 2020-21.”

Kovalchuk made it clear during his recent chat with Pierre LeBrun that he’s hoping the right fit will come with a contending team, he who has yet to hoist the Stanley Cup. 

“Yes, that’s exactly what we’re looking for. But it should be both parties interested. Not just one side. That’s very important, too,’’ said Kovalchuk.

“It’s all about the right place and the right time. Like I said, I’m not in a rush. We talk to Pat all the time. He said right now the market is slow because teams don’t know what to expect. Everyone is waiting to see the results on the season and everything.  So I’m not in a rush, either.’’

Who knows, he might be willing to fill Justin Williams’ shoes as the passionate veteran and sign a a one-year, league-minimum deal in Carolina. 

Kovalchuk might be excited to see that interest is picking and could wait to get more offers before he decides where to sign. To be continued…