Aivis Kalnins: Ilya Kovalchuk to meet with SKA ownership KHL's SKA St.Petersburg and Ilya Kovalchuk will sit down to talk a potential deal.

The anit-climactic ending we deserve

A hockey player has two goals...win Stanley Cup and win a gold metal for their country. The only reason I can see Kovy staying in Russia is because he wants to go for gold (as we all know the NHL nixed NHL players playing in olympics). If right team/offer comes forward I still think he's coming back

A hockey player has two goals...win Stanley Cup and win a gold metal for their country. The only reason I can see Kovy staying in Russia is because he wants to go for gold (as we all know the NHL nixed NHL players playing in olympics). If right team/offer comes forward I still think he's coming back
- Ocean24

Or he just wants to wait until next offseason until he's a full UFA and he can choose to go wherever he wants. Sucks for the Devils, but that makes me happy.

Or he just wants to wait until next offseason until he's a full UFA and he can choose to go wherever he wants. Sucks for the Devils, but that makes me happy.
- eichiefs9

ITs really a win win for him to stay in Russia for one more year. He can play in the Olympics and also get to come over next season as a UFA without restrictions.

ITs really a win win for him to stay in Russia for one more year. He can play in the Olympics and also get to come over next season as a UFA without restrictions.
- headyhedman77

He'll only get a 1 year deal next Year though because of the 35+ rule. He should weigh the financial impact of not possibly getting a guaranteed 2-3 year deal this year.

The question of how much the SKA can afford to pay their players is a big question in this. Kovy's agent has asked to talk with other teams and they may have a good idea of what the NHL can offer him.

If the money in Russia is good he could wait a year but it's sort of an unknown how much the Devils having his rights has affected his ability to negotiate with teams vs. being a true UFA next year.

With Kovy anything could happen.

Hope he stays in Russia.. NHL does not need this scum bags drama. Ray should have told him to **** off. Sick of his so called Russian royalty. Hope next year when he tries to come back nobody trusts him!!!!
Last things as a fan of NJ I would ever want to see is him back in one of our Jerseys
Been bitter since he left after raping us with his contract.. Good riddance!

The question of how much the SKA can afford to pay their players is a big question in this. Kovy's agent has asked to talk with other teams and they may have a good idea of what the NHL can offer him.

If the money in Russia is good he could wait a year but it's sort of an unknown how much the Devils having his rights has affected his ability to negotiate with teams vs. being a true UFA next year.

With Kovy anything could happen.
- Queenie_5_hole

SKA is the richest of the KHL clubs by far they can afford to pay him whatever he wants I personally think he's coming back to the NHL to get a shot at a cup

SKA is the richest of the KHL clubs by far they can afford to pay him whatever he wants I personally think he's coming back to the NHL to get a shot at a cup
- Devils314

Quite possibly and I'm sure Kovy probably has some good insight into the teams financial health. But I heard the KHL wasn't doing well overall, although SKA is pretty much the gold standard as you pointed out.

As for waiting a year, I don't think Kovy really cares much what teams might have to cough up to the Devils beyond how it impacts his contract. So while he can wait a year and go where he wants and avoid the sign and trade complication that's only a desirable choice if there is a real benefit. But it also adds the downside of becoming a 35+ contract and he's a year older so if it's about winning the cup now might be better.

End of the day with Kovy he will do what is best for Kovy. Which is fine.

olympics are meaningless with no nhl players

10 mil is double what he would get in the nhl

khl can have him.

kovy! if you are listening nobody in NA gives a poop about you

I agree, if he is really being offered 10mil/yr to stay in the KHL then he's staying, no way he leaves that money to come to the NHL and probably make half of that. We all know, he wants his money!

Aivis Kalnins: Ilya Kovalchuk to meet with SKA ownership
KHL's SKA St.Petersburg and Ilya Kovalchuk will sit down to talk a potential deal.
- Kalnins

Maybe he can go to Dynamo. Sounds like they might need a player or twenty.

$10 Million?! Wow. Interesting. I wonder if it's accurate.