Report: Ilya Kovalchuk targeting NHL return in 2016-17

Ilya Kovalchuk is looking to come out of retirement. 

Well, sort of. 

The former NHL star, who called it an NHL career with $77 million left on his contract with the New Jersey Devils, is reportedly targeting a return to North America for the 2016-17 season, according to a report out of Finland. 

Of course, Kovalchuk never really retired. He'll enter his fourth and apparently final season with SKA Saint Petersburg of the KHL next year. 

After that, the NHL's handling of Kovalchuk – should this report be accurate – will be tricky. 

Having signed retirement papers, all 30 teams will have to approve his return, which may be a decision organizations would be reluctant to make. The Devils, who some believe coaxed Kovalchuk to leave the NHL, were able to duck monumental salary commitments through 2025 as a result of his pseudo retirement. 

To that, despite how talented he is, will the NHL really be eager to take back a player who spurned the league in his prime? We'll see.