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Friday, 29 July 2011 13:58

Written by Seth Rorabaugh

According to Russian sports website Sports Express, former Penguins forward Alex Kovalev will join Atlant Mytishchi of the Kontinental Hockey League.

The Penguins acquired Kovalev, 38, at the trade deadline in a deal which sent a conditional draft pick to the Senators. In 20 regular season games with the Penguins, Kovalev scored five points (two goals, three assists). In seven postseason games, he scored two points (one goal, one assist).

EN Says: This pretty much brings an end to Kovalev's NHL career. There was barely any tread left on his tires and the Penguins were pretty much the last NHL team willing to give him a shot given his history with the franchise. He just couldn't get it done at 38 with worn-out legs.

If Kovalev's NHL days have come to an end, he leaves as one of the true pioneers of Soviet-born players in North America. The first Soviet player ever drafted in the first round by the Rangers in 1991, Kovalev appeared in 1,302 regular seaoson games and scored 1,024 points, third-most among Soviet players only trailing Sergei Fedorov (1,179) and Alexander Mogilny (1,032).

Kovalev leaves the Penguins one of its most prolific scorers as well. In 365 career regular season games, he scores 354 points, 16th-most in franchise history.

(Photo: Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images)

Comments (4)

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written by Bones, July 29, 2011 - 02:13 PM

Just never was the same since 07-08. Always surprising how quickly a player's talent and/or drive can fall off when they hit the proverbial wall at whatever age it happens to be for them. He was a lot of fun to watch in his first stint with the Pens, especially with Lang and Straka. Best second-line in hockey during Lemieux's comeback.

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written by Disgruntled Goat, July 29, 2011 - 02:25 PM

Too bad he didn't sign with the Flyers.

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written by Bones, July 29, 2011 - 02:43 PM

I don't know if they would have him after his performance down the stretch...

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written by bastage42, August 03, 2011 - 01:27 PM

Always a little sad to see skills like that disappear just because a guy's gotten a little older. Maybe those 12-minute shifts finally caught up to him

"1,302 games, 673 in which he played hard and dominated the rink, 1,024 points ..."

A most fantastic and wonderful talent, and even if he was occasionally frustrating, a very unique character ... the NHL needs more interesting people like Kovy.

He'll make plenty of magic with Zherdev in Atlant though. He's still got those hands.

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