Ilya Kovalchuk announces retirement

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

They stripped kovy of the c.

[kickazz 5,459]

Let's sign him.

[ami 273]

I don't know if there was any conflict in the locker room or with the coaching staff. It could be just reaction to uninspired play, a signal to the rwest of the team, like I said.

Sure we don't, but I am not basing my view of Kovalchuk on what I don't know. But we all know the guy have been acting as an a.s.s.h.o.l.e through his whole NHL career, on the ice and off the ice as well. He is a hero in Russia (due to his talent mostly, but his defection from NHL plays big part here too). And he being a hero and a captain has been dumped by his coach?!! It is most definitely not a signal to the team or anybody, it is an indication that somebody had had enough of that a.s.s.h.o.l.e.

So, yes, very good riddance for new jersey devils, they save lots of money that will be channeled towards better cause.

[sibiriak 84]

No coach, especially a rookie coach with a couple of month of total head coaching experience, can afford the luxury of benching his biggest star for the playoffs. If Sergei Zubiv did it, he HAD to. So far it has worked for him, they won their first round matchup without Kovalchuk. But if they lose, the coaches decision WILL be held against him and probably prove fatal for his job prospects.

[Number19 159]

Sign him for the Modano/Alfie/Richards spot next year

Edited March 7, 2016 by Number19

[HadThomasVokounOnFortSt 878]

Sign him for the Modano/Alfie/Richards spot next year

It's a great spot.

[sibiriak 84]

Sign him for the Modano/Alfie/Richards spot next year

To sign Kovy, any NHL team would have to get unanimous consent from all the other 29 teams, which is not possible. Or, he will have to sit out a year from ANY pro hockey anywhere, and then only NJ Devils would have to consent. In other words, at his age, he is not going to sit out a year to come back to the NHL.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Sign him for the Modano/Alfie/Richards spot next year

That's funny, but he's far better than all those players.

[amato 3,210]

To sign Kovy, any NHL team would have to get unanimous consent from all the other 29 teams, which is not possible. Or, he will have to sit out a year from ANY pro hockey anywhere, and then only NJ Devils would have to consent. In other words, at his age, he is not going to sit out a year to come back to the NHL.

After he's 35, he can return without those restrictions

[sibiriak 84]

After he's 35, he can return without those restrictions

Which is 3 years from now. I haven't seen that 35 yo rule before, do you have a link? I am not doubting your word, just would like to learn more about it.

[amato 3,210]

Which is 3 years from now. I haven't seen that 35 yo rule before, do you have a link? I am not doubting your word, just would like to learn more about it.

I remember it being mentioned when he first "retired" but this was the easiest link to find hah..

As for a potential Kovalchuk return if he wants to rejoin the NHL before turning 35, he would require approval from all 30 teams or sit out of hockey entirely for a full season, then get the Devils permission to return.

If he waits until hes after 35 which would occur during the 2018-19 campaign he could return without seeking said approval.

http://nhl.nbcsports.com/2015/03/23/theres-another-kovalchuk-wants-nhl-return-story-going-around/ Edited March 9, 2016 by amato

[kickazz 5,459]

He'll be 35 and return to the NHL.

In a Red Wing jersey.

Completely washed up.

Wearing number 90.

[sibiriak 84]

I remember it being mentioned when he first "retired" but this was the easiest link to find hah..

http://nhl.nbcsports.com/2015/03/23/theres-another-kovalchuk-wants-nhl-return-story-going-around/

Thanks!

He'll be 35 and return to the NHL.

In a Red Wing jersey.

Completely washed up.

Wearing number 90.

Why 90?

[kickazz 5,459]

Why 90?

The cursed number 90 that Modano and Weiss wore when they came to the Wings.

[kylee 727]

He'll be 35 and return to the NHL.

In a Red Wing jersey.

Completely washed up.

Wearing number 90.

Nice of you to post on the forum, Ken Holland

[amato 3,210]

reports indicate Kovy is leaving SKA to go to the KHLs Chinese expansion team next season ha I had no clue they were expanding.. clearly vegas is bettman trying to keep up

http://nhl.nbcsports.com/2016/03/24/report-kovalchuk-will-play-in-china-next-season/

[amato 3,210]

You know they can makes sticks any size they want right?

Not only that but you can cut them down also.

What a time to be alive!

I do wonder if he signs a 1 year deal and comes back to the NHL at some point but it definitely seems like kovy only wants to be on a team if he's the one go to guy ha dunno if he can still do that at the NHL level

[miksteri 55]

I wouldnt be surprised if Znarok excludes Kovie from the World Championships too, Kovie and Radulov both act like any rules dont apply to them, the original "pepsi boys"...