After a one-year hiatus, Alexei Kovalev is back in the NHL.
That’s the story out of Sunrise on Thursday as the Florida Panthers announced they’ve signed the soon-to-be-40-year-old to a one-year deal.
TSN’s Bob McKenzie reports the contract is for $1 million and includes some games-played bonuses.
Kovalev — who’ll turn 40 on Feb. 24 — hasn’t played in North America since skating with Pittsburgh during the 2010-11 season.
He returned to his native Russia for the 2011-12 season, playing 22 games with Atlant Moscow Oblast before suffering a knee injury that derailed his campaign.
Kovalev spent the summer and lockout without a team, focusing on rehab and getting healthy, though he did practice with Swiss second division team Martigny for a spell.
The former Ranger, Penguin, Canadien and Senator has some ties to the Panthers organization. He played with goalie Jose Theodore in Montreal and spent a season with Filip Kuba in Ottawa.
According to Harvey Fialkov of the Florida Sun-Sentinel, Kovalev has been skating on the Panthers’ second line along with Peter Mueller, and is working on the Panthers’ second power-play unit with Tomas Kopecky and Jonathan Huberdeau.
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- valoisvipers - Jan 18, 2013 at 11:04 AM
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Wow I am shocked.
Can not believe anyone would waste a roster spot on this guy at his age,and his lack of consistency,effort and passion. I would honestly rather throw a dart at the minor league team roster and call the kid in lands on then use Kovalev.
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- kingfooj - Jan 18, 2013 at 1:55 PM
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woohoo fantasy waivers here i come!
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- f2maestro - Jan 18, 2013 at 3:01 PM
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Even at 40, I would expect Kovalev to be able to score. The problem (as it always is) is getting him motivated to perform. I don’t see what happening in Florida. In my opinion, I don’t see Kovalev offering any of the qualities a seasoned veteran might offer (leadership, solid locker room presence, ability to guide younger players, etc…) so I see this as a waste of 1mil.
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- f2maestro - Jan 18, 2013 at 3:03 PM
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… I don’t see ‘that’ happening…
I wish you could edit posts like every other forum…
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- banger60 - Jan 18, 2013 at 10:56 PM
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Sometimes you have to put the old dog down, he’s gone.
