Ilya Kovalchuk Dismissed from KHL team

SKA St. Petersburg captian and former NHL star Ilya Kovalchuk has been dismissed from the team and there is uncertainty about his future. Kovalchuk was scheduled to be a free agent this upcoming summer and he was reportedly considering a return to the NHL.

It is unclear at this time why the team dismissed the veteran Kovalchuk. He has 49 points (16 goals 33 assists) in 51 games for SKA St. Petersburg this season. He last played in the NHL in 2013 with the New Jersey Devils.

He made his NHL debut in 2000-01 with the now defunct Atlanta Thrashers. He spent eight seasons in Atlanta before being dealt to New Jersey. In 816 NHL games, Kovalchuk has 417G and 399A, good for 816 points. Kovalchuk would add some experience for a contending team. He could also be a mentor to young guys on a rebuilding team.

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