Ilya Kovalchuk Eyes Return to NHL in 2016-17 Season

Former Atlanta Thrashers and New Jersey Devils forward Ilya Kovalchuk is looking to return to the NHL for the 2016-17 season.

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In 2013, former New Jersey Devils forward Ilya Kovalchuk announced his retirement from the NHL. This was done so he could return to his native country, Russia, and play for the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Kovalchuk left 12 years and $77 million on the table to leave the league.

Well, according to a report from Finland outlet Iltalehti, Kovalchuk has talked with SKA St. Petersburg (the team he plays for) officials about returning to the NHL as soon as the 2016-17 season. A friend of Kovalchuk reportedly told this to Iltalehti.

Kovalchuk, 31, spent his first 11 years of his career in the NHL from age 18 to 29. His first seven-and-a-half years were spent in Atlanta while the final four-and-a-half years were spent in New Jersey after a trade. He totaled 615 points over that span.

While the Atlanta Thrashers ended up moving to Winnipeg, there are no ties for Kovalchuk between the current organization and the defunct one. While it is very hard to predict a signing well over a year in advance, Jets forwards Andrew Ladd, Drew Stafford and Michael Frolik are all not under contract either after this season or next. While they do have Nikolaj Ehlers and others waiting in the wings, a Kovalchuk signing could make sense if the price is right and if the need is still there in 17 months.

So, would you like to see Ilya Kovalchuk in a Winnipeg Jets uniform?

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