After a five-year absence, is preparing to return to the NHL.
The left winger “retired” in 2013, allowing him to break his 15-year contract with the New Jersey Devils to sign with KHL club SKA St. Petersburg.
Having won two KHL championships and an Olympic Gold medal, Kovalchuk is now an unrestricted free agent. On Tuesday, The Athletic’s Craig Custance cited former NHL defenseman and current KHL assistant coach Dmitry Yushkevich saying his belief is Kovalchuk wants to win a Stanley Cup.
As per the NHL collective bargaining agreement, the 35-year-old is now eligible to sign with any NHL club on July 1st.