Report: Kovalchuk's agent 'in discussions with teams' about NHL return

With one free-agent winger off the board in Evander Kane, another is starting to gain attention.

Ilya Kovalchuk's agent, J.P. Barry of Creative Artists Agency, is "in discussions with teams" interested in bringing Kovalchuk back to the NHL, reports TSN's Darren Dreger.

Kovalchuk came off the voluntary retired list on April 15 - the day he turned 35 years old - officially becoming an unrestricted free agent. He and his camp can negotiate with any NHL team, but can't officially put pen to paper until July 1.

The New York Rangers are just one team that has officially gauged interest in Kovalchuk thus far, as GM Jeff Gorton stated a month ago that the club has "checked in" with him.

Kovalchuk was one of the game's elite talents before bolting for the KHL after the 2012-13 campaign, compiling 816 points in as many games with the Atlanta Thrashers and New Jersey Devils. He continued to be highly productive with SKA St. Petersburg, potting 31 goals and adding 32 assists in 51 games this past season.