On Ilya Kovalchuk …
Pierre LeBrun: Devils GM Ray Shero is expected to reach out to Jay Grossman, Ilya Kovalchuk’s agent to discuss Kovalchuk’s future.
Slava Malamud: Though it seems entirely illogical, the Detroit Red Wings are another team that has been thrown around in the Ilya Kovalchuk talk.
Leafs Lunch: Devils GM Shero was on TSN 1050 yesterday and spoke about Ilya Kovalchuk’s possible return to the NHL.
“His Long time agent is Jay Grossman, so I’ll reach out to him this week now that we’re back and I’ve heard the same things, I’ve read the speculation. I was not here obviously when Kovalchuk was traded here and re-signed here, and we have new ownership. He had a great year in Saint Petersburg this year, they won a championship. I’ll reach out and see what the story is and what the next steps would be if that’s the case – if he does want to come back.”
“Once I talk to his agent I’ll have a little more insight as to what he wants to do. No matter what, I think for him to sign a contract to play in the NHL, he cannot do it until July 1st anyway, so no different than the Draft, we have time on that as well and once we find out what he’s looking to do.”
Chris Ryan of NJ.com: GM Shero on the next step regarding Ilya Kovalchuk.
“It’s been more speculation the past week or two,” Shero told NJ Advance Media. “They finished up over there in St. Petersburg, won the championship, so I said (Saturday) I’ll reach out to his agent — Jay Grossman is the agent, has been for a long time — and I’ll reach out to him next week, just kind of see what’s going on, see if there’s any substance to what’s going on with the rumors that maybe he wants to come back to the NHL and what the story is.”
The Devils still own Kovalchuk’s rights. After winning the draft lottery over the weekend, they’ll weigh their options on Kovalchuk.