Kings Waive Kovalchuk
The Los Angeles Kings waived forward @Ilya Kovalchuk on Monday for the purpose of terminating his contract. Kovalchuk has not played a game for the Kings since November 9th.
By agreeing to leave the team, Kovalchuk is forfeiting roughly $4.65M in future salary. He received a $2.65M bonus from the Kings on Sunday, leaving just $400,000 in salary remaining this season, but the 36-year-old was due another $4.25M next year. Kovalchuk will now become an unrestricted free-agent, free to sign anywhere in the NHL, or Russia, for that matter.
Doomed from the Start
After a five-year stint in the KHL, Kovalchuk returned to the NHL on a three-year deal with the Kings prior to the 2018-19 season. The 2003-04 Rocket Richard Trophy winner struggled to re-adjust to life in the NHL and frequently clashed with the team’s front office and coaching staff. He registered just three goals and six assists in 17 games this season, ending his disappointing tenure in Los Angeles with 19 goals and 24 assists in 81 games. The Kings currently sit dead last in the Pacific Division with a 14-18-3 record. They will begin the post-Kovalchuk era on Tuesday night in Boston. Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM EST.