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Ilya Kovalchuk had a goal and an assist in a scrimmage against Albany (AHL).

(Photo by Jerry Lai/US Presswire)

He showed up with a fresh, short haircut right out of the Devils’ dress code and grooming manual. No sense in trying to test general manager Lou Lamoriello’s benevolence again so soon.

And then Ilya Kovalchuk, less than 24 hours from stepping off a plane from Russia, did what he does best. He scored a goal and set up another from Travis Zajac during a scrimmage against Albany (AHL) yesterday in the AmeriHealth Pavilion.

"For a guy who got off a plane after I don’t know how long a travel day it was for him, I thought he looked pretty good. It’s nice to have him back," coach Pete DeBoer said. "You can see even in the scrimmages what he brings to our team. He had a goal and an assist and created a handful of other chances. It’s nice to have him back in the fold."

There was, according to Kovalchuk, never any question about that. Any comments attributed to him in which he claimed he wanted to stay in the KHL rather than returning to the NHL were lost in translation.

"I have a contract here and in the KHL they have a rule that as soon as the lockout ends we have to go back," Kovalchuk explained. "Nobody has a choice. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind I was going to come back"

And those rumors than Russian president Vladimir Putin was willing to help find the money to keep Kovalchuk in the KHL?

"No, that’s not true. I’m sure he’s got some other stuff to take care of," he said with a laugh. "I had a great time there, we had a good team, but I have a contract here. I’m happy I’m back. I’m happy we’re all back because I think it’s going to be an exciting season."

The timing of his return was another matter.

While almost every Russian player came back soon after the NHL lockout ended, Kovalchuk and Detroit’s Pavel Datsyuk decided to play in the KHL All-Star Game this past Sunday.

"We had to do it. Some guys left right away for personal reasons. Some guys stayed a little longer," Kovalchuk said. "The president of the league (Alexander Medvedev) asked us to play. He said it would be important to the fans because they already had sold the tickets to see us play. They’d be upset.

"It’s good that Lou and (Devils) ownership understand me and they accepted it. I appreciate it."

And were his teammates okay with his travel schedule, or was there some kidding when he showed up?

"About what, my figure skating?" he asked, referring to his routine during Saturday’s All-Star skills competition. "No, actually there was a lot of smiling. It seems like everybody was happy to get together finally."

He did not deny that he enjoyed playing in Russia.

"Yes, I played in my home country in front of my family and my friends. It was a good time," he said.

"I was able to celebrate New Year’s with my family. I haven’t been home for New Year’s since the last lockout. It’s a big holiday back home. It’s a big holiday in Russia, bigger than Christmas."

Before he left, he wanted to thank the Russian fans for making it so enjoyable.

"That was one of the reasons I stayed," Kovalchuk said. "I can’t say for all the guys. (Evgeni) Malkin decided to come back quick. Me and (Pavel) Datsyuk were there and we decided to go. Our teams understood.

"You know Lou. He’s that kind of guy you have to talk to him straight, face to face and just ask him the questions. He understood my situation and I appreciate it. But I’m happy I’m back."

The smile on Kovalchuk’s face disappeared briefly when it was suggested that beginning Saturday he would be playing games for real.

"I was playing for real for the last three months," he answered. "But the NHL is the best league in the world. I’m pretty sure the fans are real (ticked) off but they will come back and it will be a good season."

Rich Chere: rchere@starledger.com; twitter.com/Ledger_NJDevils