Kovalchuk confirms rumor through... instagram?

The whole Illya Kovalchuk's saga was an important backstory for most of the off-season, as many rumors were reported across the league. Still owned by the Devils, Kovalchuk made clear he was willing to come back in the NHL at some conditions. He's been away for a while now and him coming back, after winning the Gagarin cup in the KHL nonetheless, attracted a lot of attention. 

However, it all turned out as a big disapointment for NHL fans when Kovalchuk decided to stay in Russia for one more year. Today, he confirmed the news through his Instagram account. 

A scientific translation *cough Google cough* tells us he's going back to the St.-Petersburg SKA. 

Following his additional year in Russia, he will become UFA again in the NHL and have a lot more room to negotiate his comeback without having to deal with the New Jersey Devils in the process. 

See you next year, sir!