As free agency continues around the NHL, the Columbus Blue Jackets looks like the only fit left for Ilya Kovalchuk if he decides to return to the NHL.
Ilya Kovalchuk‘s name seems to swirl around the rumor mill every offseason since he “retired” from the NHL in July of 2013. Kovalchuk technically retired, but he went on to play in the Kontinental Hockey League in Russia. This was retirement in name only and the Columbus Blue Jackets are pursuing the winger.
Kovalchuk’s name swirling is nothing new, but this time it seems more likely that he will return to the NHL. The reason could be the uncertainty financially in the KHL or because he wants to play with the best players in the world. Only Kovalchuk knows this for certain.
While Kovalchuk is currently 34 years old, he was able to produce in the KHL. He tallied 78 points in 60 games last season. The winger scored 32 goals and had 46 assists. While it is a stretch to say these numbers will translate completely to the NHL, this shows he still has a lot of gas in the tank.
The recent success of Alexander Radulov and Artemi Panarin in the NHL are good signs when considering Kovalchuk returning. Radulav scored 54 points in 76 games in this his first full season after playing in the KHL. New Blue Jacket Panarin won the Calder Trophy in his first season in the NHL as well.
The New Jersey Devils would have to complete a sign and trade for Kovalchuk to come back since it is unlikely he would come back to the Devils who own his NHL rights. There are three destinations that have remained in the rumor mill in the Columbus Blue Jackets, the New York Rangers, and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
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The latter two options seem far-fetched at this point. The Devils seem like if they are even considering trading his rights to New York, they will have to overpay. While Toronto, on the other hand, had just signed another older forward in Patrick Marleau.
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Destination Columbus
Columbus is looking to add a scoring punch this offseason and Kovalchuk would definitely add scoring. The Blue Jackets have openly talked about their interest in Kovalchuk. Both of the other contenders for him have hurdles to jump that Columbus does not have.
Along with the lower hurdles, Columbus also has two prominent Russians on their team in Sergei Bobrovsky and Artemi Panarin. This trio has played together Nationally, and Panarin has played with Kovalchuk in the KHL with SKA Saint Petersburg.
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Columbus is looking to go all in and signing Ilya Kovalchuk would show the rest of the league that Columbus is not in wait and develop mode anymore. The Columbus Blue Jackets have made one big splash acquiring a Russian and look to be in a position to add another.