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Former Devils winger Ilya Kovakchuk is enjoying playing in Russia. (Martin Rose/Getty Images)

Ilya Kovalchuk is pulling for the Devils win the Stanley Cup.



The dynamic winger, who left the team last summer to return to Russia, said he hopes Jaromir Jagr can lead the Devils to the Cup.



"Well I hope that he's going to bring the Stanley Cup to the Devils," Kovalchuk told iDNEZ.cz before SKA St. Petersburgh faced HC Lev Praha Monday.



Kovalchuk said he is not surprised that Jagr has played so well.

"No, he's an excellent player, one of the best in the world. I'm sure that for the guys on the team there are a lot of positive things he can bring," Kovalchuk said.



He said he enjoys playing in Russia for SKA St. Petersburg better than playing in the NHL with the Devils.



"Yes, I feel better here with my family. I'm so close with my mother and my sister and in Russia I have a lot of friends," Kovalchuk said.



But he continues to follow the Devils.



"I usually watch just the highlights on the internet. Now they're doing much better," he said.



Kovalchuk said he is excited about the 2014 Winter Olympics, which will be played in Sochi, Russia.



"Yes, it's coming. It's only a few months away," he said. "We have to prepare the best we can. The best players in the world will obviously be there, so it's going to be a great tournament. It's the opportunity of a lifetime to show the Russian fans real hockey."

In 26 games with SKA St. Petersburg, Kovalchuk leads his team in scoring with 30 points (12 goals, 18 assists). He is plus-9.