[easyliving]

http://tracking.si.com/2013/07/11/il...uk-retirement/

definitely didn't see this coming, he was only 30 years old.

[Vegas39]

Most likely back to Russia to play in KHL

[boeing power]

Most likely back to Russia to play in KHL

He will make even more money in Russia when you factor in little or no tax.

Devils are lucky to get rid of that terrible contract.

[Goat Milk]

good player. most nhl guys can play 20 years.

[THE_LOCKSMITH]

"Kovalchuk signed a 15-year, $100 million contract with the Devils in 2010 and leaves $77 million behind with his retirement"

sure is different from the late 80's and early 90's when they had to smuggle the Russian players out of Russia to get them into the NHL. Now guys leaving 77 million on the table to go back.

[El Nino]

I remember when BizNasty broke down Kovalchuk's contract in lap dances, or "lappers" as he referred to them.

[petey5]

Terrible news for the Devils but it does get them out of that long-term deal.

[ColdBeerHere]

Lucky break for the Devils

[Marigold HD]

Lucky break for the Devils

Yes ....from an owners perspecive. But not for the fans who barely watch as it is.

[PuckOff]

good player. most nhl guys can play 20 years.

Get real!!!

The average length of a players career in the NHL is around 2-3 years.

[Russian Rocket]

Ilya Kovalchuk “retired” from the NHL Thursday – the news that shook the entire hockey world. SKA St. Petersburg, the KHL club Kovalchuk played for during this last NHL lockout, was expected to make a “big announcement” on Thursday. But didn’t. It is now obvious what that announcement was going to be – Kovalchuk was going to sign with the club. The champagne will be kept on ice at least until Monday, it appears. SKA promptly denied reports that Kovalchuk may have signed a contract with the team before he returned to the NHL in January. Kovalchuk is still in the United States with his family, while SKA players reported to the club for medicals yesterday. Players will start skating on July 15 with training camp starting July 22 in Switzerland. That may be the day Kovalchuk will actually join the team, although according to his mother (see below) Ilya won’t come to Russia until August 1. No official announcement has been made, although some SKA players, including goaltender Ilya Ezhov, acknowledged hearing about the move during their medicals.

Neither Kovalchuk, nor his agents have made any official statements, other than the one announced by the New Jersey Devils yesterday. However, SovSport’s Pavel Lysenkov spoke with Kovalchuk’s mother (she’s always been very open with the media, confirming the 17-year “original” contract Kovalchuk signed with the Devils), who shed some light on the situation. She was not surprised of the developments at all, saying, “I knew about it, to be honest. Of course Ilya discussed this matter with me. It was back in January when my son was thinking about staying with SKA. But he went back to New Jersey to finish the season. Everything had to be done in a civilized manner; all legal questions must have been resolved.”

Here are some more quotes from that conversation:

Ilya Kovalchuk had another dilemma in 2010 – to sign with the Devils for $100 million or to go back to Russia. Back then as a mother you unequivocally stood in favor of America. Why has your opinion changed?
“Maybe it didn’t change. But Ilya is a grown up man. He is responsible not only for himself, but for a big family. He made the decision. And I will support him either way. This is not a cliché, this is a fact.”

Did he like SKA during the lockout?
“Of course. Otherwise this question about leaving the NHL wouldn’t even be raised. And so it happened… Besides, there were some problems in New Jersey. You know there will likely be a change of ownership there. It’s unclear how everything will turn out.”

Is it true his salary was delayed by the Devils? [ed.: The question is unclear as it may be interpreted a number of ways]
“Yes, it happened. Now, after the lockout, there are a lot of restrictions at all teams. They are also underpaid 20% [of their salary]. The League takes it as an escrow that may not be paid back if the NHL does not make profit. And then there’s government tax of 50%. That means on paper you are being paid $10 million a year, but in reality only 3. So the pendulum swung for Russia."

Have you read the reaction of Jeremy Roenick who said Ilya stole $23 million from the Devils?
“Thank God I didn’t see that! I am [on vacation] right now. But I think my son earned everything he’s been paid by the Devils in full! He played 30 minutes per game, sacrificed his health, and made it to the Cup Finals. He didn’t steal anything. He earned every cent. The things [Roenick said] may only be said due to helplessness.”

Another thing that shocked North American journalists is that Kovalchuk walked away from $77 million that were guaranteed to him. He had one of the best contracts in history of the NHL, and terminated it!
“The financial side is important. We like to discuss that everything is done because of money. But this is not the main reason, that you can believe. Although I think that my son will come to the KHL not to his [financial] detriment. But I don’t know all of the details, sorry.”

Did you talk to Ilya last night?
“Yes, of course. Right before he talked with the Devils general manager. He said ‘That’s it, the matter is closed. There is no way back.’ It was probably a difficult emotional decision. But this is what my son wanted very much.”

Are you happy as a mother? Now you will be able to see Ilya more often. It’s only a few hours from St. Petersburg to Tver.
“It is a huge advantage. I will be able not only to see my son, but my grandchildren. Yes, we’ll have to figure out some issues – his daughter is already in school. But that’s OK, there is an American school in St. Petersburg. I hope that everything goes smoothly, and we will overcome all the difficulties.”

[zizoudane10]

Fukk him, he quit.

[Russian Rocket]

Kovie did the right thing

[zizoudane10]

Kovie did the right thing

Can't blame him, lots of money in the KHL these days

[Russian Rocket]

Can't blame him, lots of money in the KHL these days

he probably would of stayed, if not for the nonsense of the lockout and increased taxes that the players now have to pay on their salaries...he's not getting younger, gotta make money while u can- can't really blame the guy for that.

[zizoudane10]

he probably would of stayed, if not for the nonsense of the lockout and increased taxes that the players now have to pay on their salaries...he's not getting younger, gotta make money while u can- can't really blame the guy for that.

Personally as a fan I hate to see him leave the NHL and enter the KHL (not interested at all in the KHL), but he did what was the right thing for him.

[Russian Rocket]

Personally as a fan I hate to see him leave the NHL and enter the KHL (not interested at all in the KHL), but he did what was the right thing for him.

yeah I'm with you - not a very big fan of KHL myself

[OTL]

One less gutless overpaid European player in the league, good riddance. Jacques Lemaire was jumping up and down for joy when he heard.

[Vegas39]

One less gutless overpaid European player in the league, good riddance. Jacques Lemaire was jumping up and down for joy when he heard.

If he'd just take Ovie and Semin with him

[stevex]

One less gutless overpaid European player in the league, good riddance. Jacques Lemaire was jumping up and down for joy when he heard.

What exactly has he done for the Devils....in the playoffs I'm referring to, not regular season. I mean a contract that big, your expected to perform your best in the playoffs which from what I saw, he didn't at all.

Good riddance, coming from a huge Devil fan.

[PuckIt]

chump

[easyliving]

Devils sign Jaromir Jagr. been always a fan of this guy even if its this late in his career I'm glad I'll get to watch him skate in a Devils uniform.

[Mike Huntertz]

he'll play in russia

[zizoudane10]

Devils sign Jaromir Jagr. been always a fan of this guy even if its this late in his career I'm glad I'll get to watch him skate in a Devils uniform.

Great news. Always loved the guy, one of the best there ever were in the game.

[biff]

jaromir jagr still playing makes me feel less old