Kovalchuk's Return to KHL Eliminates NHL's Most Intriguing Offseason Target

It turns out Ilya Kovalchuk won't be throwing a superman cape on his back and swooping in to save a terribly underwhelming NHL free agent class. At least not this year.

Kovalchuk's agent, Jay Grossman, confirmed on Tuesday that the former two-time 50-goal scorer will be remaining in the Kontinental Hockey League for the 2017-18 season, according to Mike Morreale of NHL.com, ending rampant speculation that Kovalchuk could return to the league for the start of this season.

The Russian winger's rights are currently owned by the New Jersey Devils, who made a huge push to bring Kovalchuk back to North America in order to try and trade his rights. The potential haul of prospects and draft picks that New Jersey could have received in exchange for the former Rocket Richard Trophy winner would have been ideal for a rebuilding Devils team—but in the end, no deal that fit the Devils' needs could be worked out by Kovalchuk, Grossman, and New Jersey GM Ray Shero.

Despite the 34-year-old being out of the NHL since 2013, Kovalchuk was, perhaps, the biggest name rumoured to be available during one of the weakest and most underwhelming free-agent classes in the past decade. Several potential suitors, including the Chicago Blackhawks and Columbus Blue Jackets, among others, were reportedly interested in Kovalchuk, who had stated he wanted to remain in the Northeast US if he returned to the NHL. He also reportedly expressed a strong desire to head to New York to play for the Rangers, a deal that was obviously tough to make with Shero limited in his options.

The Devils acquired Kovalchuk at the 2010 trade deadline from the Atlanta Thrashers, and then (tried) to ink him to an enormous 17-year contract that summer, but were rejected by the NHL, which voided the deal. New Jersey managed to sort it out and sign Kovalchuk to a 15-year, $100-million contract, but the electric winger took his talents to Russia during the 2013 lockout—forfeiting $77 million in salary from the Devils—and hasn't returned since.

Over the last four seasons with St. Petersburg SKA in the KHL, Kovalchuk has recorded 222 points in 209 games. In the 816 NHL games he suited up for before going off to Russia in 2013, the two-time All Star put up 816 points, including 417 goals with Atlanta and New Jersey, thanks to six consecutive 40-plus goal seasons.

Kovalchuk will be eligible for NHL unrestricted free agency on July 1, 2018, according to TSN, when he will be able to negotiate with any of the league's 31 clubs.

Even at 35 and with a half decade passing by since the last time he skated in the NHL, Kovalchuk will have many teams salivating at the chance to ink the offensively potent star next summer.