A former Russian star returning to the NHL could end up benefiting the Bruins. After bailing on the final 12 years of a 15-year contract with the New Jersey Devils after the 2013 season, Ilya Kovalchuk returned to his homeland and played in the KHL. However, he has since then decided to return to the NHL with whatever he has left in the tank.
The New Jersey Devils recently agreed to a sign and trade with Kovalchuk, and given the potential gains of this acquisition, the Bruins should certainly make a play for the talented winger.
This deal will come through as a sour one for many Devils fans, considering they gave up everything and the kitchen sink to acquire Kovalchuk from the Atlanta Thrashers back in 2010 in exchange for Johnny Oduya, Niclas Bergfors, Patrice Cormier, and a first-round pick in the 2010 NHL entry draft. He would remain unsigned until free agency in 2010, when after a 17-year contract was blocked by the NHL, he was eventually signed to a 15-year $100 million contract.
However, this contract did not come without backlash. The National Hockey League found that the Devils’ initial contract offer was a direct attempt to circumvent the league’s player salary cap. Because of this, the Devils had to pay a fine of $3 million, surrender their third-round selection in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, and a first-round selection over the next four years.
The NHL did eventually reduce these penalties after Kovalchuk left the NHL, as they cut the $3 million penalty in half, and due to the fact that the Devils had used their picks in 2011, 2012, and 2013, were given the 30th pick in the first round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
Kovalchuk certainly didn’t slow down during his time in the KHL. After amassing 417 goals and 816 points in as many games during his NHL career, he would then put up 107 goals and 264 points in 245 career games in the KHL. The Russian winger has made a career out of being a sniper, using the deadly wrist shot to his advantage, something that still is and always will be well known in the National Hockey League.
Considering the value of scoring wingers, you will find few teams in greater need of that than the Boston Bruins, who’s only offensive threats are Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak. Boston shocked many fans across the NHL with their play throughout the season, considering they had such a young blue line, outside of the aging Zdeno Chara. After losing to Ottawa in six games, Boston proved that they are on their way to regaining the “contender” status they had just three short years ago.
Kovalchuk has the potential to come right back into the NHL and continue his 40-goal scoring prowess that he had when he retired from the league at the age of 30. He would be a welcomed addition for the NHL in their ever-present quest to increase the overall scoring. His presence, on a Bruins roster that was in the thick of a division title race just last season, could put them over the top. When paired with a budding superstar in David Pastrnak, he could provide the Bruins with some legitimate scoring punch in the present, while also giving the young winger from the Czech Republic a chance to learn from one of the best goal scorers of the last 15 years.
This would be a slam dunk for Boston, especially with all the young talent they have coming down the pike.