Kovalchuk walks out on New Jersey Devils and US$77m
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.
Star forward Ilya Kovalchuk stunned the New Jersey Devils, retiring from the NHL to return to his native Russia.
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.