When Lou Lamoriello took over hockey operations for the New York Islanders there was much speculation that the team would have interest in signing Ilya Kovalchuk, who played for Lamoriello for four seasons with the Devils before “retiring” and heading back to Russia to play. Kovalchuk left $77 million on the table.
Kovalchuk was interviewed by Darren Dreger and spoke highly of his former boss. “He’s one of those guys you want to always keep in touch with and ask him for advice ...he’s a great man.”
Under the terms of the retirement, the Devils retained his NHL rights until he turned 35, which was on April 15.