Despite rumors out of Russia that Ilya Kovalchuk was now considering staying in the KHL next season, Devils GM Ray Shero told Mike Morreale of NHL.com that the sniper is still pursing NHL opportunities. Shero spoke with Kovalchuk’s agent yesterday, and is waiting on his camp to make a decision.
I can’t go out calling teams because that’s a waste of my time. He’s going to tell [us] where he wants to play and in the end, if that does work out and it’s not the Devils, then I’ve got to see if that makes sense for us to do that.
Kovalchuk would be an interesting addition to many teams around the league, but can’t officially sign a new contract or be traded until July 1st. A sign-and-trade this summer is the most likely scenario, though he could wait another year to become an unrestricted free agent and able to sign with any team in the league. That said, a contract next summer would come at the age of 35, and with it the restrictions 35+ contracts contain.
- The New York Islanders have extended a “bona fide offer” to draft pick David Quenneville, in order to retain his rights for another year. This information almost never comes out officially, but in order to keep his exclusive negotiating rights until next June the offer needed to be submitted today. Quenneville, the brother of New Jersey forward John Quenneville and second cousin to Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville, was drafted in the seventh round last summer and enjoyed a successful season for the Medicine Hat Tigers.
- The Florida Panthers have officially welcomed former player Shawn Thornton into their front office as Vice President, Business Operations. It had previously been reported that Thornton was headed for the business side of the game after retirement, and he’ll now work with President Matthew Caldwell. The veteran of 705 NHL games is known for his charitable work in the community with programs like the Shawn Thornton Foundation and the Pucks and Punches for Parkinson’s golf tournament.
- Vegas has a new ECHL affiliate, announcing a partnership with the Quad City Mallards today. The Mallards had previously been affiliated with the Minnesota Wild who, according to Michael Russo of the Star Tribune, will have a new ECHL team announced next week. The Golden Knights had previously announced their AHL affiliate as the Chicago Wolves, and now will have two minor league teams to fill as they look to build a pipeline of young talent.