Columbus Blue Jackets Miss Out on Adding Kovalchuk
The Russian winger has decided to return to the KHL. The Columbus Blue Jackets are still contenders without him.
In an unsurprising move, Ilya Kovalchuk has decided to return to Russia and play in the KHL. His agent confirmed that the 35-year-old will return to the motherland and not be joining the Columbus Blue Jackets. The New Jersey Devils were unable to work out a deal and now will have nothing to show for Kovalchuk.
The Columbus Blue Jackets were actively pursing the stud scorer and rumors really started to heat up after trading for Artemi Panarin. The Breadman and Kovalchuk have a Russian connection that sent CBJ land into full on speculation mode. Only a few days ago it looked as if the CBJ were the only NHL contender to nab Kovalchuk.
Related Story: Jackets Only NHL Contender for Kovalchuk
But the deal that would have sent the stud scorer from the KHL to New Jersey to Columbus was not to be. Kovalchuk will return to Russia, the Devils get nothing for him and Columbus is still searching for another scoring option.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Why Kovalchuk Stayed in Russia
The decision was not a surprise. I wrote weeks ago that Kovalchuk was staying in Russia. The signs back then were obvious but we let ourselves get wrapped up in the romance of nabbing a top flight scorer.
But the writing was on the wall. Kovalchuk wants to play in the Olympics. Russians feel deeply compelled to play for their national squad and Ilya is not going to miss out on that opportunity. As I’ve wrote 1000 times now, thanks NHL for a dumb decision that not only stunts the growth of the game, but incentives top players to stay away from the NHL for any reason.
Kovalchuk was also highly unlikely to be traded within the division. The Devils are still a few years away from being competitive but trading a guy that can score 25 goals a year to a team you have to play six times a season is not smart.
Related Story: Jackets Lose Out on Adding Another Russian
Finally, Kovalchuk was asking for far too much money. The Columbus Blue Jackets couldn’t afford to pay a 35-year-old over $6 million a year.
The former Devil will be an unrestricted free agent next season and can sign with any team he pleases. New Jersey will not get nothing for the winger. Another season on the legs for the former stud scorer will diminish his value but there will certainly be another Kovlachuk sweepstakes next season.