The reason Kovalchuk signed a "1 year" deal (it was more like a 4 month deal) for the league minimum was that he had already collected his $4M+ bonus from LA. The salary he signed for matched the salary he was receiving from the Kings. Aside from the two-week period that he missed in December between contracts and the difference in taxes from Montreal and LA, the monthly paycheck he received from the Habs was probably identical to the one he received from the Kings.
He redeemed himself a bit with his play on Montreal and Washington. While he's clearly no longer worth the $6M that the Kings were paying him, I suspect he will get a contract in the $2M-2.5M range.
I was probably one of the few who liked his first year with the Kings as I think he was 3rd or 4th on the team in goals but 16nth in playing time. He's slowed down for sure but still has the shot so I think if paired well with the right center and right winger he could still be semi productive although I fear with age he will get slower and in today's game that ain't good.
The only bad thing and I'm talking about his Kings tenure specifically is that 3 coaches in a short time had a problem with his style/effort in Stevens,Desjardins and McLellan. I think the problem is really pairing him with the right center as he's really more of a rover at this point which is why he struggled to a degree with Kopitar as #11 I don't think ever really. knew where he would be?
Can't believe I'm saying this, but Corey Perry would be a better addition...I'm gonna go shower now after saying that.
At Least Perry would give the Sharks some grit & park his BUTT in front of the goalie Like in last nights Playoff game. I would pass on KOVY, Sign Perry & I'm sure DW & his man crush will be Thornton & Marleau back, They can call them the SENIOR CITIZENS LINE
would be a better addition...I'm gonna go shower now after saying that. 
