Make room for another Russian goal scorer in the nation’s capital.
On the eve of the NHL trade deadline, the Washington Capitals acquired left wing Ilya Kovalchuk from the Montreal Canadiens for a 2020 third-round draft pick. The Canadiens retain 50% of Kovalchuk’s salary.
Kovalchuk figures to play a bottom-six role for the Capitals as they come upon the final 20-game stretch of the regular season.
He and Alex Ovechkin have played together on the Russian national team and struck up a friendship. Just two months ago, they spent time together on Christmas — while Kovalchuk was still a free agent.