Almost everyone assumed Ilya Kovalchuk would be retired long before his 15-year, $101 million contract with the Devils reached its final season in 2024-25. The Russian winger would've been 42 years old by then and have collected most of his money.



No one could have guessed that Kovalchuk would retire from the NHL at the age of 30 with 12 years and $77 million remaining on the blockbuster deal he signd in the summer of 2010, but that is exactly what he did today with a decision that left the hockey world in shock.

“This decision was something I have thought about for a long time going back to the lockout and spending the year in Russia," Kovalchuk explained in a statement. "Though I decided to return this past season, Lou (Lamoriello) 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, a great organization that I have a lot of respect for, and our fans that have been great to me."

Nevertheless, Lamoriello could not talk Kovalchuk into changing his mind, which he had done last January.

“This goes back to the lockout prior to coming back (from Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League),” Lamoriello said. “His thought process of staying in Russia was there.

“He came back late (after the lockout was settled) but there was no conversation throughout the year about it. Then it recently resurfaced and his desire was to retire from the National Hockey League. The only way he could do that was to sign his voluntary retirement papers, which he did.”

The loss of Kovalchuk, one summer after Zach Parise departed as a free agent, left the Devils’ organization reeling.

“It’s going to be interesting over the next couple of months to watch Lou figure out what to do. I’ve never seen anything like this in my 18 years here,” veteran forward Patrik Elias said. “No question it’s going to affect the team. You can question his defensive play, but offensively Kovy was a key guy. He was putting up the numbers.”

In 11 NHL seasons, the last 3 1/2 with the Devils, Kovalchuk scored 816 points (417 goals, 399 assists) in 876 games. He had 11-20-31 in 37 games for the Devils last season after leading the team in scoring (37-46-83) in 2011-12.



"It's definitely shocking, just from the standpoint that he's retiring from the league, especially at his age, and he's still able to play," Devils captain Bryce Salvador said. "It's different when you have to retire when it's the end of the road and you can't find anything else. This is a permanent decision.



"It's shocking because of his contract. He can't just change his mind next year or a couple of years after that."



In reality, Kovalchuk isn't retiring. He very likely will sign a lucrative deal to play in the KHL, where he starred for SKA St. Petersburg during the NHL lockout.



"There would be no contractural conflict," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in an email to The Star-Ledger. "(He's) free to sign and play in another league."



That will make it even harder for the Devils to swallow, considering how much they've invested to Kovalchuk.

The Devils traded defenseman Johnny Oduya, forwards Niclas Bergfors and Patrice Cormier, along with first- and second-round 2010 draft picks to acquire Kovalchuk from the Atlanta Thrashers on Feb. 4, 2010.

When he became an unrestricted free agent after that season, they signed him to a 17-year, $102 million contract in July of 2010, only to be reprimanded by the NHL for circumventing the salary cap. As punishment, the league fined the Devils $3 million and took away third- and first-round draft picks.

As a result, the Devils do not have a first-round pick in the 2014 entry draft and they have no hope of getting the pick back.

“One (issue) is not related to the other,” Daly said of the league’s punishment and Kovalchuk’s retirement.

In addition to Kovalchuk, the Devils lost their leading goal-scorer from last season when David Clarkson signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs. To lose Parise, Kovalchuk and Clarkson in a one-year span is a massive offensive loss.

“It’s going to be an interesting time for management and the owners to figure out what to do without Kovy,” Elias suggested. “We lost Zach last year. Now Kovy. Those are pretty big guys.

"What can (the team) do? There aren't many guys available now," Elias added.

Lamoriello refused to discuss what his plans are to replace Kovalchuk.

“I don’t take any positives out of today right now,” the GM said. “I’m addressing what has transpired and going forward. Obviously there is more (cap) room right now. Certainly we’re going to put the best possible team we can on the ice. Remember, this wasn’t a decision by the Devils.”

Salvador said he has faith the Devils will be contenders in 2013-14.

“A lot of stuff has been happening over the summer. When you lose a player like Kovy, it’s definitely something you don’t like to see happen,” Salvador said. “One thing I’ve seen with this organization is that they find ways to move forward.

“I give Kovy credit. This is something he’s obviously been dealing with for a while. It’s not like he just woke up and thought,’ I want to retire.’ I think with him making the decision so early in the summer it shows that he was thinking about the team and it definitely gives Lou ample time before the season starts to make some decisions knowing well in advance Kovy is not going to be here. I think that’s encouraging because Kovy could’ve easily waited until Sept. 20 to say he’s not coming back. Then the organization would’ve been in a tough situation at that point. It was respectful for Kovy to make that decision now.”

Lamoriello said Kovalchuk’s decision was not related to the herniated disc in his back that affected him during the 2012 playoffs or any other health issue. Lamoriello pointed out that Kovalchuk had to pass a physical and be cleared for insurance to play in this spring’s world championships for Russia.

So how hard did Lamoriello try to pursuade Kovalchuk to stay?



"Any conversation I had with Ilya is personal," Lamoriello said. "I am never surprised by anything that happens in this game today."

