Fansided

Los Angeles Kings: 5 burning questions for 2018-19 season

By Jeremy Lambert

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 17: Anze Kopitar #11 of the Los Angeles Kings reacts to a goal from Brayden McNabb #3 of the Vegas Golden Knights for a 1-0 lead during the second period in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Center on April 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 17: Anze Kopitar #11 of the Los Angeles Kings reacts to a goal from Brayden McNabb #3 of the Vegas Golden Knights for a 1-0 lead during the second period in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Center on April 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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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) /

4. How big of an impact can Ilya Kovalchuk have?

There are two opinions of Ilya Kovalchuk. The correct opinion is that he’s one of the most talented scorers in NHL history and one of the most exciting players to watch during his prime years. The wrong opinion is that of any New Jersey Devils fan.

I love me some Ilya Kovalchuk because I am not a Devils fan and he didn’t spurn my favorite team to go back to Russia. I can’t wait to see him back in NHL action this season.

Now, he’s 35 years old and hasn’t played in the NHL since 2013. A lot has changed in five years. First, there are 82 games again. Yes, the last time Kovalchuk played was in the lockout season. Second, the game has gotten faster and the skill level has never been higher. 24-year-old Kovalchuk would be nearly unstoppable in today’s game. 35-year-old Kovalchuk may struggle.

He’s scored 30-plus goals in each of the last two seasons in the KHL. Based on those numbers, there’s reason to believe he can still perform at a high-level in the NHL.

He’ll likely be on the top line with Anze Kopitar, which should certainly help his numbers. Unless Kopitar is so worn down from covering Kovalchuk’s mistakes on defense that he has nothing left to give offensively. Don’t rule this out.

Kovalchuk is a risk worth taking if you’re Los Angeles. The Kings are hoping Kovalchuk is more Sylvester Stallone in Rocky Balboa and less Sylvester Stallone in Rocky V.

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