Ilya Kovalchuk, the former New Jersey Devils top winger recently retired from the NHL, walking away from $77 million left on the 15-year contract he signed in 2010. Kovalchuk will now play on a four-year deal in the KHL for SKA St. Petersburg, much to the chagrin of the Devils and their fans.
In 2010 Kovalchuk put pen to paper on a 17-year pact worth $102 million, which was rejected by the league as an attempt to "circumvent" the salary cap. The two sides eventually agreed to a 15-year, $100 million contract, but the Devils were still hit with penalties for their attempt to get around the cap. Signing Kovalchuk cost New Jersey $3 million, a third round pick in 2011, and a future first round pick.
Kovalchuk cited a desire to return to Russia and be with his family as the reason for leaving the Devils, despite the massive payday he was forfeiting. Last season Kovalchuk was one of New Jersey's top offensive players, finding the back of the net 11 times in 37 games, and recording 20 assists. His 31 points were second on the team behind Patrik Elias (36).
Kovalchuk was especially valuable on power plays, racking up a team high 12 assists with an advantage to go along with two goals.
In his career Kovalchuk has netted 417 goals, and scored 816 points. From 2003 to 2010 Kovalchuk was one of the NHL's most devastating scorers, notching 40 or more goals for six consecutive seasons and breaching the 50-goal barrier twice. During that span he never had fewer than 75 points.
SKA president Gennady Timchenko called Kovalchuk a "real leader" in a team-issued statement regarding the signing, but did not disclose the terms of the deal. Kovalchuk represented Russia in three Winter Olympics, nine times in the world championships, once as a junior, and in the 2004 World Cup. Additionally, Kovalchuk skated for St. Petersurg during the NHL lockout.
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