Todd Cordell: Ilya Kovalchuk Set To Return To New Jersey After KHL All-Star Game

I figured he'd be back. He's never expressed an interested in staying in the KHL before and came back after the 04-05 lockout as well.

how much of a sh!t storm would come if he received a long term injury in that game

Todd Cordell: Ilya Kovalchuk Set To Return To New Jersey After KHL All-Star Game
- Todd.Cordell

Only difference between when Kovy was signed and now is the lockout that everyone had to go through, and also the hoops Kovalchuk and the devils have had to jump through for the nhl for his signing. That's worth at least noting.

can you blame him for perhaps having a bad taste in his mouth?

Not to mention the nhl wanted to rollback salaries 25%

THEORY: This just says he'll be back after the All Star game which is really just a relative term. It could be a month, or next season, or a few years. We may never know and that's really what the Russian Factor is.

No "C" for you!

He's only doing this because he knows we don't want him back. damn Russians.

NHL and KHL need to put some meat to their contract. Like if you walk out on a contract you are banned from playing in the league and your work visa is terminated.

He's only doing this because he knows we don't want him back. damn Russians.
- shvingter88

clever bastard

Meh...as long as he is back in time for a few practices, I don't care. I think most of the team was cool with it too...except for Elias.

No "C" for you!
- DFM

Why?

The media blew this entire story totally out of proportion. He's not going to flat out say he's going right back to the Devils out of respect for Russia, KHL, and his hometown. He never flat out said he didn't want to be in NJ. He's trying to satisfy both his hometown (where he is seen as like a god) and New Jersey. He's been playing there since the beginning of the season, and there is 10 games left until playoffs. Of course, he doesn't want to leave there.

It's only proper for him to play in a "farewell" game in the All-Star game for the fans and the KHL. He will likely never get the chance to play in Russia again, aside from Sochi.

I gather from all of this that its ok for Datsyuk but not ok for Kovy to play in the ASG, according to the media.

I gather from all of this that its ok for Datsyuk but not ok for Kovy to play in the ASG, according to the media.
- tbone31

wings gave datsyuk permission

Hey Todd,

Still feel like he is captian material.... wow you could not have had worse timming on the Blog you wrote maybe the team has to consider even taking the "A" away?

Nothing but Drama...... with the russians I hope the Oil trade Yakupov asap! why take the chance.... I would never sign a top level Russian if i was a GM of a NHL team.

Why?

The media blew this entire story totally out of proportion. He's not going to flat out say he's going right back to the Devils out of respect for Russia, KHL, and his hometown. He never flat out said he didn't want to be in NJ. He's trying to satisfy both his hometown (where he is seen as like a god) and New Jersey. He's been playing there since the beginning of the season, and there is 10 games left until playoffs. Of course, he doesn't want to leave there.

It's only proper for him to play in a "farewell" game in the All-Star game for the fans and the KHL. He will likely never get the chance to play in Russia again, aside from Sochi.
- _Zippy_

He said he wanted to play for SKA the rest of the season. So yes, the Devils are choice #2. No Captaincy. His words, not mine.

The plan all along was for these guys to play over there and come back when the CBA situation was over (like just about every other KHL/NHLer did). Not some BS like, I'm waiting till its ratified and I want to stay in SKA but I have contract duties yada yada yada. You want to be captain, do the right thing and be in camp day 1. You're not above the team and IMHO should be suspended by the team for 1 game because of this nonsense, but that won't happen because hes a superstar. If this was Volchenkov doing this it would be a whole different story.

He always finds a way to create negativity towards himself when he is not on the ice.

If he wanted to stay to show respect towards the KHL and his team mates, i am fine with that, BUT friggin say that. Making comments that come across as betrayal to a team that has hitched their wagons to you for the next 2 decades is just dumb.

At the end of the day, perception is everything, and that is simple matter of fact in this media obsessed age. I just hope he comes back ready to play or we are in big trouble.

....and he misses the start of training camp. I guess we should feel honored that he has decided to return. Of course he'll be the last NHL'er to grace us with his presence, but again, we should feel honored.

guys its fine. his english just isn't that great so he got confused. typical russian.

guys its fine. his english just isn't that great so he got confused. typical russian.
- Pomegrant

I'm ex-military. No one is special. The more special you are, the less special you are treated. It creates cohesion and respect, throughout the ranks. Kovy will return and he will play, but his actions show that he feels he is above the rules that his teammates must obey, and all the talent in the world can't mask that entitled mentality.

Not a fan of this poop. Just do what you are suppose to do, and report to training camp. Kovy shouldn't be complaining that he would rather stay in the KHL this season, when it was pretty clear that if the lockout ended he would be have to return to the NHL.

Stevens should check him over the boards during practice and be all 'today's lesson is come to training camp!'

I'm ex-military. No one is special. The more special you are, the less special you are treated. It creates cohesion and respect, throughout the ranks. Kovy will return and he will play, but his actions show that he feels he is above the rules that his teammates must obey, and all the talent in the world can't mask that entitled mentality.
- WayneZ

nobody insults the russian prince of hockey!

He's only doing this because he knows we don't want him back. damn Russians.
- shvingter88

He always finds a way to create negativity towards himself when he is not on the ice.

If he wanted to stay to show respect towards the KHL and his team mates, i am fine with that, BUT friggin say that. Making comments that come across as betrayal to a team that has hitched their wagons to you for the next 2 decades is just dumb.

At the end of the day, perception is everything, and that is simple matter of fact in this media obsessed age. I just hope he comes back ready to play or we are in big trouble.
- WayneZ

Scott Stevens had no desire to come to NJ at the beginning. He's seen as one of the best leaders in the game due to his work in NJ. I'm not worried about Kovy.

EDIT: I still wouldn't give him the C, at least not this season.