According to several reports, the Columbus Blue Jackets have reached out to the New Jersey Devils, kicking the tires on Ilya Kovalchuk. Jarmo has said that he is looking for “a sniper in key moments” and there are few better goal scorers on the planet than Kovalchuk. Look at these numbers (via hockey-reference)
The Blue Jackets could certainly use production like that on their top line. His production hasn’t dipped in the KHL either, where he registered 32 goals and 46 assists last season in 60 games played. Kovalchuk is 34, however, and his production may begin to dip soon.