Kovalchuk walks out on New Jersey Devils and US$77m

Star forward Ilya Kovalchuk stunned the New Jersey Devils, retiring from the NHL to return to his native Russia.

Kovalchuk, 30, walked away from the US$77 million that was left on the 15-year contract he signed with New Jersey in 2010, including guaranteed annual salaries of at least US$11 million over the next four seasons.

The Devils said Kovalchuk alerted Lou Lamoriello, the team's president and general manager, earlier this year that he wanted to return home to Russia with his family after 11 seasons in the NHL.

"This wasn't a decision made by the New Jersey Devils," a testy Lamoriello said.

Lamoriello refused to disclose anything about his conversations with Kovalchuk relating to the surprising retirement.

He also did not clarify whether Kovalchuk planned to play in Russia's KHL next season - as is expected - or whether the Devils would retain his rights if he reconsidered his retirement, deferring to the NHL.

"All I know is that he will not be playing here at his desire," said Lamoriello, who built the Devils' three Stanley Cup championship teams and had hoped Kovalchuk would be the centerpiece of a fourth. Kovalchuk had back problems during the 2011-12 season and missed 11 games this year because of a shoulder injury.

"This decision was something I have thought about for a long time going back to the lockout and spending the year in Russia," said Kovalchuk, the No1 overall pick in the 2001 draft.

"Though I decided to return this past season, Lou was aware of my desire to go back home and have my family there with me. The most difficult thing for me is to leave the New Jersey Devils."

Kovalchuk was to earn US$11.3 million in each of the next two seasons and US$56 million over the next five years.

Lamoriello said Kovalchuk did not receive a signing bonus, so the team was not seeking to recover any money from him.

"I am never surprised about anything that happens in this game today," Lamoriello said. He would not say whether the retirement soured him on Kovalchuk's four seasons with the club, but he gave the clear impression that he was angry.

The Devils gave up a lot to get Kovalchuk from Atlanta in 2010 and maybe even more to keep him after he became a free agent following that season.

New Jersey sent defenceman Johnny Oduya, then rookie forward Niclas Bergfors and junior prospect Patrice Cormier, and a first-round selection in the 2010 draft to the Thrashers for Kovalchuk and defenceman Anssi Salmela.

After the season, the Devils signed Kovalchuk to a 17-year, US$102 million contract that the NHL ruled circumvented the salary cap. The league subsequently fined New Jersey US$3 million and took away two draft choices - a third round pick in 2011 and next year's first-round pick.