Report: Kovalchuk Gets 7-Year Deal to Return to New Jersey

According to Mark Everson of the New York Post (a dubious man to break this), the New Jersey Devils have re-signed star winger Ilya Kovalchuk for a likely team record seven years, $60 Million. Everson repeats what most of us know already:

With Ilya Kovalchuk's agent breaking silence to promise a decision today, it appears the Devils have the inside track on re-signing him to what one source suggests will be a seven-year, $60 million package.

The Islanders have indicated their interest in the 27-year-old superstar, but that same source says they did not make a formal bid of $100 million over 10 years.

The Kings dropped out of the running after Kovalchuk rejected their last offer, and his Russian options have dwindled as well, with one report suggesting four years at $9 million each.