Could Ilya Kovalchuk be back for the 2016-17 NHL season?
Maybe. Life is an infinite series of possibilities.
But Finnish publication Iltalehti (via Yahoo) says Kovalchuk could be looking to get out of the final year of his KHL contract with SKA Saint Petersburg and return to the league from which he "retired" two years ago. The ruble has been on the decline for a while, and some KHL teams are having financial difficulties.
Because he retired, should Kovalchuk want to return for 2016-17 season, all 30 NHL teams would have to approve the move. That's another bridge to cross when the time comes.
Should Kovalchuk's services become available, which teams would make the most sense?
He will be 33 years old next summer, and while he's scoring in Russia (137 points in 135 games), that doesn't mean much to the NHL. Kovalchuk had 37 goals in 2011-12 and eight more in 23 playoff games as he battled a bad back, then dipped to 11 in 37 games in the 2013 lockout season.
If he can produce and has enough left in the tank, teams will want him.
Here are six that appear to be the best fits.
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Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Dave Lozo
The Six Best Fits for Ilya Kovalchuk If He Returns to the NHL
March 23rd, 2015 by Dave Lozo Leave a reply »
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