Winnipeg Jets: The Prodigal Son Returns (Maybe), But is it to Winnipeg?

The greatest player the Winnipeg Jets franchise has ever seen, never even donned the blue and white in Manitoba. Ilya Kovalchuk was a divisive figure upon his departure from the NHL, but now — the prodigal son returns.

The Winnipeg Jets made a franchise-altering trade on Feb 5, 2010. Well, the Atlanta Thrashers made the trade. They sent their first ever draft pick, Ilya Kovalchuk, to the New Jersey Devils for a few things, including a first round pick.

With that first round pick, they swung a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks to acquire Dustin Byfuglien. Byfuglien, as you are keenly aware, is one of the team’s best players. He’s been with the team since that 2010-2011 season, and just led them to the Conference Final in convincing fashion.

BIg Buff is, in all likelihood, the best player in Winnipeg Jets history. In franchise history, however, Ilya Kovalchuk takes that honor with ease. In fact, in just seven and a half seasons, Kovalchuk is still the franchise leader (yes, I realize that franchise is just now able to legally vote) in goals and points.

Kovalchuck scored 328 goals in his time with the Thrashers, and only one other player has 200. That would be Bryan Little, and he has exactly 200. In 160 games more than Ilya Kovalchuk.

Kovalchuk’s stint with New Jersey is known best for its clear attempt at salary-cap circumvention. Also, for bolting after signing a 15 year, $100 million contract, and returning to Russia.

You may think of Kovalchuk as a carpet-bagging tool who made a mockery of the salary cap and, in turn, the NHL. That’s not entirely unfair, and we won’t get too far into that. Kovalchuk scored more than a half a goal a game with the Thrashers, and was one of the NHL’s premier players.

And then he left. He’s been in the KHL ever since. He’s still up to his old tricks, scoring 31 goals and 63 points in 53 contests last season. At 35, he might have something left in the tank.

And now he wants to empty that tank on NHL ice again. Kovalchuk has made his desire known to return, and now he’s a real unrestricted free agent. Will he actually come back? It’s unclear. Will it be to the Winnipeg Jets?

In all likelihood, no. The Jets are flush with depth on the wings, and they don’t lack scoring punch one bit. The best playing in franchise history may just have been passed by. Will he be a decent scorer in the NHL, or a star?

Remember, Kovalchuk wasn’t known for his defense. He was pretty much just offense. But man, was he a lot of offense. Two fifty goal seasons, six forty goal seasons and thirteen (!!!) hat tricks in his NHL time. Brief though it may have been, it was electric.

Is his fading star worth a look for the Winnipeg Jets? Would he have any love for the franchise he once knew, even though it no longer resembles itself?

These are tough questions. I’m sure the Jets would take a flier on Kovalchuk, but what kind of contract would he command if he does make it back to the NHL? Early reports say he’s primed to sign with the NY Rangers, and that makes perfect sense.

I will believe it when I see pen to theoretical paper, however. A team trying to keep its star from fading by acquiring a fading star. How poetic.

It’s fun to think about Kovalchuk being back in the NHL, just for the story itself. As unlikable as he may have become, a pariah of sorts, he’s still a polarizing figure. It’s a good story, and it’d be a damn good story if he returned to where it all began (kinda).

There’s no reason to expect the Winnipeg Jets to be in on him, though, other than yearning for what’s gone. But old flames, they can’t warm you tonight, Winnipeg. Too much good going on to mess with it.

Next: Kevin Cheveldayoff Demands Respect

Also, there’s the whole impending salary-cap minefield that the front office has to navigate in the coming future. So, as expected, it’s not much of a fit. Sure would be fun, though.

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The greatest player the Winnipeg Jets franchise has ever seen, never even donned the blue and white in Manitoba. Ilya Kovalchuk was a divisive figure upon his departure from the NHL, but now — the prodigal son returns.

Kovalchuk’s stint with New Jersey is known best for its clear attempt at salary-cap circumvention. Also, for bolting after signing a 15 year, $100 million contract, and returning to Russia.

Is his fading star worth a look for the Winnipeg Jets? Would he have any love for the franchise he once knew, even though it no longer resembles itself?

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