Is this the end of him in the NHL? or will he back with a low salary deal with another team
Pierre LeBrun @PierreVLeBrun
Ilya Kovalchuk was expected to leave the Kings as early as today, which would put him in breach of contract, which would bring on a suspension and off we go with the process which would end with an official parting of the ways this week. He would be UFA by the end of it.
Pierre LeBrun @PierreVLeBrun
The Kings remain with his $6.25-M cap hit this season and next, because he's a 35-and-over player. But they would no longer have to pay him in real life. Kovalchuk's remaining $2.65-M bonus was paid over the weekend. He has $4.25 M in salary next yr but will walk away from that
News Update
Pierre LeBrun @PierreVLeBrun
The expectation is that Kovalchuk will be on unconditional
luke fox @lukefoxjukebox
L.A. Kings statement: "Ilya Kovalchuk has left the team and been placed on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract with the club."waivers today (for purpose of contract termination)