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Ilya Kovalchuk looking toward California for NHL return

By Brad Berreman

GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 17: Ilya Kovalchuk of OAR during the Men's Ice Hockey Preliminary Round between USA and Olympic Athletes from Russia at Gangneung Hockey Centre on February 17, 2018 in Gangneung, South Korea. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 17: Ilya Kovalchuk of OAR during the Men's Ice Hockey Preliminary Round between USA and Olympic Athletes from Russia at Gangneung Hockey Centre on February 17, 2018 in Gangneung, South Korea. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images) /
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Ilya Kovalchuk is all but surely coming back to the NHL next season, and two California teams are on his radar.

With a rumored return to the NHL next season gaining more traction, much of the speculation around Ilya Kovalchuk has centered on Eastern Conference teams (New York Rangers, Florida Panthers, New Jersey Devils). But according to Darren Dreger of TSN, the former No. 1 overall pick met with the Los Angeles Kings on Friday and will meet with the San Jose Sharks on Sunday.

Kovalchuk last played in the NHL in 2012-13 for the Devils, and he has spent the last handful of years in the KHL. This past season for SKA St. Petersburg, the 35-year old had 63 points (31 goals, 32 assists) in 53 games. Over the last five seasons, Kolvalchuk has 285 points in 263 games for St. Petersburg.

Kovalchuk is reported to be seeking a two or three-year deal at around $6.25 million per year, which is comparable to the deal Patrick Marleau signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs last offseason. As expected, Kovalchuk is also prioritizing winning among potential landing spots for his return to the NHL.

The Kings and Sharks both made the playoffs this year. The Kings have seemingly always been looking for more offense, so that’s nothing new. The Sharks may lose Marleau and Joe Thornton in back-to-back offseasons, with Logan Couture and Joe Pavelski both set to hit free agency in 2019, so they could use a scoring boost too. Both teams have a need Kovalchuk can fill, as well as fitting his desire to win in a short window.

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The Athletic reported earlier this month, per agent J.P. Barry, that Kovalchuk would make a decision somewhere around draft time (June 22-23). So a ramp up in visits this weekend is not surprising, even if the location is a shift from previous indications of where Kovalchuk will make his return to North American hockey.

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