Avalanche forward stuns fans with shocking career change
Photo credit: Robert Edwards / Daily Faceoff
Former Colorado Avalanche star forward Nikolai Kovalenko has decided to leave the NHL to head back to Russia to play in the KHL next season.
Kovalenko played in 58-regular season games this season split with the Avalanche and San Jose Sharks.
Avalanche star forward makes a shocking career move.
Aarif Deen from Colorado Hockey Now writes that the 25-year-old forward officially signed a two-year contract with CSKA Moscow on Saturday, as confirmed by the team, which now lists him on its active roster.
Kovalenko is set to join former Avalanche players Vladislav Kamenev and Spencer Martin, along with top prospect Dmitry Buchelnikov.
"Drafted No. 171 overall in 2016, Kovalenko became one of the more NHL-ready prospects in the Avalanche's pipeline over the years. He spent six seasons in the KHL before making the leap to North America in April 2024 to join Colorado's playoff push. Kovalenko's last two years in Russia were with Torpedo, where he became one of the league's highest-scorers. He had 54 points in 56 games in 2022-23 before following it up with 35 in 42." -Deen
Kovalenko hit unrestricted free agency after the Sharks declined to offer him a new deal. With no NHL contract materializing after July 1, he chose to return to the KHL.
He inked a two-year deal with the Avalanche on July 25, 2023, but didn't join the team until his KHL season wrapped up. He appeared in two games during the first round of the 2024 playoffs against the Winnipeg Jets, skating on the fourth line.
"Because of injuries to Artturi Lehkonen and Gabe Landeskog, and a suspension for Valeri Nichushkin, Kovalenko started last season in the Avs' top six alongside fellow rookie Calum Ritchie and center Casey Mittelstadt. Kovalenko went on to record four goals and eight points in 28 games with Colorado before suddenly being part of a massive deal that brought Mackenzie Blackwood to Colorado." -Deen
During his brief stint in San Jose, Kovalenko showed flashes of promise alongside center Macklin Celebrini. However, he eventually fell out of line with the coaching staff and was a healthy scratch on multiple occasions. He finished his time with the Sharks tallying three goals and 12 points over 28 games.
"We'll see if he eventually tries to give the NHL another shot, but Kovalenko definitely has the talent to compete in this league. I was surprised he couldn't land a deal with a team willing to give him a longer look than San Jose. Perhaps two years back in the KHL will do him well." -Deen
Kovalenko has previously admitted that he was stunned by the Avalanche's decision to trade him.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 13 | 21 ANSWERS Avalanche forward stuns fans with shocking career change Do you think former Avalanche forward Nikolai Kovalenko will land another NHL contract in the future? | ||
| yes | 11 | 52.4 % |
| no | 10 | 47.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
