Report: More than 6 teams in on Kovalchuk derby

The former NHL superstar is making a list and checking it twice.

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 6 years ago
Report: More than 6 teams in on Kovalchuk derby
Keystone Press

Rumors have been circulating for weeks that former NHL superstar Ilya Kovalchuk will make his much anticipated return to the NHL in 2016-17 after a four year sojourn into the KHL. Until now, the destination of his return has remained mostly speculation, but Larry Brooks of the NY Post dropped a bomb on the hockey world earlier today by naming the interested parties.

From Brooks’ article:

Slap Shots has learned the Blues (with assistant general manager Martin Brodeur), Maple Leafs (with general manager Lou Lamoriello) and Sharks (with coach Pete DeBoer and assistant Johan Hedberg) are among more than a half-dozen clubs who have expressed interest in Kovalchuk.

Brooks goes on to name the Rangers and, of course, the Devils as the other teams in negotiations to bring back the Russian sniper. Interestingly, almost each team mentioned has a connection with Kovalchuk’s past, but there’s no mention of the expansion Vegas Golden Knights where SKA St. Petersburg teammate Vadim Shipyachov has signed and where fellow linemate Evgeny Dadonov is rumored to be signing. 

Regardless of who ultimately acquires Kovalchuk, they’ll first need to trade for his rights from the New Jersey Devils before they can sign him to a new contract. Even so, Devils general manager Ray Shero maintains that Kovalchuk is “driving the bus” with regards to his NHL future.

Source: Larry Brooks