Ilya Kovalchuk suffers serious setback to NHL return

Ilya Kovalchuk is rumored to be returning to the NHL for the 2016-2017 season. Russia's unstable economy is the major factor in many KHL players wanting to leave to the NHL.

According to TVA sports, Kovalchuk recently suffered a knee injury that will sideline him for at least three months. At 32 years of age, this injury is a serious setback in Kovalchuk's plans to come back to the NHL. Knee injuries require a long recovery period and a player may have a difficult time returning to elite form.

Kovalchuk played in the NHL for 12 seasons from 2001 to 2013. In 816 games, he scored 417 goals and tallied 399 assists for a total of 816 points. He is a one time Rocket Richard winner for the most goals in a season.