Washington Capitals acquire Ilya Kovalchuk for draft pick

The Washington Capitals have acquired Ilya Kovalchuk from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a 2020 third-round draft pick.

Montreal will also be retaining 50% of Kovalchuk’s league-minimum $700,000 contract.

The forward started the season with the LA Kings before his contract with the club was terminated after only 17 games. Montreal later signed him to the aforementioned contract, where he’s put up six goals and another seven assists in 22 games.

Kovalchuk, 36, is a UFA at the season’s end.

Montreal, who is hosting the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, continues to stockpile picks and now have 13 selections in the draft including six in the first three round.

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