Report: Kovalchuk returning to the Canadiens a safe bet
Ever since Ilya Kovalchuk was dealt to Washington from Montreal at the trade deadline in February, there's been plenty of speculation over whether he might return to the team for the 2020-21 season. After all, the Russian sniper seemed to very much enjoy his short time with the Habs while also benefiting from a bit if a resurgence on the scoresheet. For any Canadiens' fans that would like to see him return, one insider says it's all but a done deal.
"Did Marc Bergevin do his part to get Ilya Kovalchuk to have Montreal at the top of his list come Free Agency?," a fan asked Sportsnet Habs reporter Eric Engels for his latest edition of Montreal Canadiens Mailbag.
"There's no question he did," Engels responded. "Based on my information, it's all but assured Kovalchuk will be back in Montreal come 2020-21."
Kovalchuk got off to a hot start with the Canadiens after signing with them as a free agent on January 3rd after his contract was bought out by LA. He slumped a bit before being traded to the Capitals for a third-round pick at the deadline, but was noted to be well-liked by his teammates in the locker room and served as a great mentor for younger players. With Montreal, he managed six goals and seven assists in 22 games. He got in seven games with Washington before play was suspended, recording a goal and three assists.
Kovalchuk recently turned 37. He's not the first or second liner he once was, but can still provide scoring depth for a team for at least another season or two. If the Habs can get him back at league minimum or a little above, it should be money well spent.
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YESTERDAY
MAY 18, 2026
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| G | A | PTS | ||
| Zachary Bolduc | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Rasmus Dahlin | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Phillip Danault | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Jordan Greenway | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Alex Newhook | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Alexandre Carrier | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Kaiden Guhle | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Lane Hutson | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Beck Malenstyn | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Ryan McLeod | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Owen Power | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Mattias Samuelsson | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Nick Suzuki | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Alexandre Texier | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Josh Anderson | - | - | - | |
| Zach Benson | - | - | - | |
| Bowen Byram | - | - | - | |
| Cole Caufield | - | - | - | |
| Kirby Dach | - | - | - | |
| Ivan Demidov | - | - | - | |
| COMPLETE STATS | ||||