Ilya Kovalchuk signs 1 year deal with St. Petersburg SKA

Ilya Kovalchuk signed a one-year contract with the KHL team, St. Petersburg SKA. It looked like the former New Jersey Devils and Atlanta Thrasher player would make a return to the NHL, but the Devils, who hold his rights, were unable to agree on a contract or potential trade.

The 34-year-old forward will be an unrestricted free agent after the 2017-18 season, meaning he'll be able to sign for any NHL team he chooses. Last season, Kovalchuk set a career-high with 32 goals and 78 points in 60 KHL games.