Ilya Kovalchuk was brought in by the New Jersey Devils via a trade with the Atlanta Thrashers on February 4, 2010, in a deal that saw the Devils give up RW Niclas Bergfors, D Johnny Oduya, C Patrice Cormier, and a first and second round pick in return for Kovalchuk, D Anssi Salmela, and a second round pick.
Kovalchuk, 27, is the biggest pending free-agent in the worldwide hockey marketplace, as not only are many of the NHL teams lining up to bid on his services come July 1, but teams in the Russian Kontinental Hockey League are as well.
Putting the rumors of him agreeing to a one-year $12 million contract with St. Petersburg of the KHL aside, let's take a look a the 30 teams and try to figure out where Ilya could end up next season.
First, let's toss out ten teams that don't have a realistic chance in my opinion, whether it's a lack of salary cap space, or the lack of a realistic potential fit for Kovalchuk on the team.
These teams include the Phoenix Coyotes, Chicago Blackhawks, Calgary Flames, B ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by levinakl