[Cali Panthers Fan]

There's no point in discussing any possible scenario where Kovalchuk goes to the Flames. IMO, there's pretty much only 2 scenarios possible for his return.

1) Comes back to New Jersey and plays for a bad, rebuilding team.

2) Is re-signed by New Jersey and then traded to either the New York Rangers (who probably can't fit him in their cap) or the Florida Panthers (who can DEFINITELY) fit him in their cap. These are the ONLY two teams he's been reported to want to play for.

I don't see him coming back to play for New Jersey, but if he does, it will only be for part of the year so NHL GMs can see what he can offer, and then he'll be dealt at the deadline.

While the Rangers are the most appealing success-wise, they also have a limited amount they can pay him, but they could find a way if they let a lot of their free agents go. However, guys like Zibanejad, Fast, and Lindberg will all get healthy raises. They could fit him, but it's probably going to be tight. $9.2 cap space for next year at the moment, and I think those three players will probably get increases of 5 million total between them. That leaves about $4 million for Kovalchuk barring any other moves.

The Panthers make more sense in some ways. Young team that had a setback last year with injuries, some poor performances, and horrible management decisions. Tallon is back in charge, so I imagine the team will get back on track in terms of management. However, it's been reported that Jagr won't return to the Panthers, so that opens up a prime spot on the top line to play alongside Barkov and Huberdeau. The Panthers also have a better cap situation with the departure of Jagr and the unlikely re-signing of Vanek, so they only have Pysyk and Petrovic to re-sign as RFAs, and they're not going to get substantial raises. That leaves about $9-10 million for the Panthers to play with for next year, and a guy like Kovalchuk could drastically improve the offense for them overnight. They've always had playmakers in Barkov and Huberdeau, but have lacked finishers to play with them as Jagr had also become a playmaker more than a finisher in the last couple years.

I would be thrilled to see Kovalchuk in Florida. It would be a good fan draw to have a dynamic player like Kovalchuk on the team as well.