Ilya Kovalchuk inches closer to new NHL contract

The free-agent market in the National Hockey League has been opened for weeks now and no teams has gotten in touch with veteran forward Ilya Kovalchuk. However, the 37-year-old player isn’t worried : an offer will come. He believes the right fit will be available for him if he remains patient and continues to train in Florida, where he now resides with his family, as he awaits to find out where he could play for the 2020-21 season. 

He strongly believes he is inching closer to a new deal. 

“I’m training to keep myself in shape,” Kovalchuk said over the phone  to insider Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic on Monday evening. “I talk to Pat all the time, he keeps me posted. But I’m not in a rush. We will try to find the right place, the right fit, that’s good for everybody.’’

It is clear that Kovy proved he could do a lot with a smaller 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. 

And it sounds like it could happen again this season, but it will probably be with another club, though Kovalchuk was loved in Montreal. 

“Everyone loved him on our team, he brought energy,’’ Habs general manager Marc Bergevin said over the phone Tuesday. “He loves the game. For him it’s not work, it’s the love of the game. If you ask me one thing about him, I would tell you how much he loves the game.’’

That should get other GMs interested in landing Kovy on a short, inexpensive deal as he can still provide great offence. 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. 

Kovalchuk made it clear during his chat with the LeBrun that he’s hoping the right fit wil 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.’’

Kovy might consider returning in the KHL if the NHL remains on hold with the upcoming season. But only because he wants to play and prove he can still help a contender to become champion. 

Kovalchuk is after one more shot and we sure hope he gets it!