Once again the KHL and the Russian media have blown things out of proportion when it comes to NHL players playing in their league.

Despite all the speculation that New Jersey Devils star forward Ilya Kovalchuk was going to stay in Russia, or at least fight hard to stay with SKA St. Petersburg, it is expected that Kovalchuk will return to New Jersey after the KHL All-Star game Sunday.

Slava Malamud of sport-express.ru, a Russian sports website, is reporting that an announcement regarding Kovalchuk's situation will come Saturday, but with Kovalchuk's family already in U.S., it doesn't take too much to figure out where he'll be playing this year.

One thing to remember regarding this whole situation: Ilya Kovalchuk signed with the #Devils instead of in the KHL a couple years ago. Why would things change now?

***

I've been able to get my hands on some information regarding the Devils' schedule this year. Here are a few details:

- The Devils will open the season January 19th vs. the Islanders
- The Devils home opener will be January 22nd vs. Philadelphia
- They will play the Flyers five times this season
- Five-game season series includes a home-and-home later in the season
- The Devils are on the road in Philadelphia March 15th, April 3rd and April 18th
- They'll host the Flyers twice.

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