Breaking: Kovalchuk has agreed to waive no-trade clause, Eastern Conference contender reportedly in pursuit

This would crack things wide open!

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 5 years ago
Breaking: Kovalchuk has agreed to waive no-trade clause, Eastern Conference contender reportedly in pursuit
Zuma Press

Step in a time machine and head back to the 2018 NHL offseason and you may remember that there was a bit of a signing sweepstakes for free agent Ilya Kovalchuk. The Los Angeles Kings outbid suitors like the Boston Bruins, Vegas Golden Knights and New York Rangers for the former 50 goal scorer and he was expected to help guide the Kings back into the playoffs and beyond. Then the puck dropped on the 2018-19 season and… well let’s just say that things haven’t exactly gone according to plan for Kovalchuk and the Kings.

The Kings currently sit in the basement of NHL standings and Kovalchuk’s three year, $18.75 million contract worth $6.25 million per season is looking like a giant noose around the Kings’ neck. Given the direction of the club there’s no doubt that Kings general manager Rob Blake would love to rid himself of Kovalchuk’s contract but because the player has a no-trade clause as part of his agreement, Blake will have to be creative in any potential deal.

Earlier today though Dennis Bernstein of The Fourth Period reported that not online is Kovalchuk now willing to waive his no trade, but that he believes the New York Islanders are actively involved in trying to acquire the former NHL superstar.

Check it out: 



Interesting. Kovalchuk is obviously familiar with the New York metropolitan area, given his time with the New Jersey Devils, so it makes sense that he’d be drawn to the Islanders. With just 11 goals and 26 points through 46 games this season though, the Kings would have to really make a potential deal worth the Islanders' while.

Still, with veteran GM Lou Lamoriello, the mastermind behind the Devils’ acquisition of Kovalchuk nearly a decade ago, calling the shots in Long Island, nothing is out of the question.