Kovalchuk Wants to Return

[Josh]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/ilya-kovalchuk-wants-return-nhl/

[Alfie11]

He was crazy before he left. I'd love to see him back

[thedaigle1]

Who didn't see this coming though?

[Alfie11]

Who didn't see this coming though?

First Jagr, then Radulov, and finally Kovalchuk.

I wonder where he'll play. I believe all 31 teams have to approve him coming back, and then he's a Devil?

[thedaigle1]

First Jagr, then Radulov, and finally Kovalchuk.

I wonder where he'll play. I believe all 31 teams have to approve him coming back, and then he's a Devil?

Don't forget Sobotka.

If he signs as a Devil then I don't think he needs league approval but any other type of transaction will need thirty votes.

[Dean Ambrose]

He'll probably sign with the Devils and then the Devils will trade him.

[Josh]

He'll probably sign with the Devils and then the Devils will trade him.

I think this is what will happen as well. Unless he's willing to stay there, in which case they'd only really be a top-pairing defenseman (Shattenkirk maybe?) away from being a respectable team. They need to keep Hall, he must be burning seeing the Oilers advance..

[Matt the Aussie]

He'll probably sign with the Devils and then the Devils will trade him.

This makes the most sense to me too. Didn't they have a bunch of years left on that ridiculous contract when he left anyway?

[thedaigle1]

This makes the most sense to me too. Didn't they have a bunch of years left on that ridiculous contract when he left anyway?

To me this whole things stinks of horrible precedent for teams to get out from under albatross contracts.

[Jasmine]

Id pass my turn on this one. Diva.

[Alfie11]

I'd take him. He's ridiculously talented, he would help out the top six so much.

[Josh]

I wouldn't mind having Kovalchuk on the team, but obviously the budget is a big concern, and in more ways than one. Turris, Brassard, Hoffman, Karlsson, and Andy will all need contracts soon and all should be due for significant raises. The expansion to Vegas should technically increase revenue significantly, increasing the cap, but I'm not sure if expansion fees are considered in that calculation? Then there's also the matter of what we'd have to give up to get him in a trade.. you'd have to think the Devils won't be short on suitors for him.

[Jasmine]

Shero will reach out to Kovalchuk; expects Hall to mentor top pick

Ray Shero couldn't wipe the smile off his face on Saturday night. New Jersey's GM is hopeful that Taylor Hall, a former first overall pick, can mentor whoever the Devils pick No. 1 in June. Plus, Shero revealed he will reach out to Ilya Kovalchuk's agent next week to see if the former Devil and current KHLer is indeed interested in an NHL return.

TSN

[Josh]

It'll be intriguing to see what happens with this for sure. If the Devils make a trade for a top defenseman, and then add Kovalchuk and Nolan Patrick, things could get real interesting in NJ.

[Jasmine]

http://www.tsn.ca/kovalchuk-wants-to...trade-1.746744

Also reasonable to assume Kovalchuk not interested in being part of NJ rebuild; he's returning to NHL for immediate/legit chance to win Cup.

-Bob MacKenzie