Skip to main content

Washington Capitals Acquire Ilya Kovalchuk from Montreal Canadiens

The Capitals acquired Ilya Kovalchuk from the Canadiens for a third-round pick.

The Washington Capitals have acquired Ilya Kovalchuk from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a 2020 third-round pick, the team announced on Sunday.

Kovalchuk, 36, joined the Canadiens in January after he was placed on waivers by the Los Angeles Kings two weeks prior. This season, he has recorded nine goals and 13 assists for a total of 22 points in 39 games played.

A left wing, Kovalchuk spent 11 seasons in the NHL before retiring from the league in 2013 and spending six seasons in the KHL. He later returned to the league with the Kings during the 2018-19 season. 

Kovalchuk is a two-time All-Star and 2003-04 Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy winner, given to the leading goal scorer in the NHL. He was selected with the first overall pick by the Atlanta Thrashers, now the Winnipeg Jets, in 2001.

The Washington Capitals stand atop the Metropolitan Division with a 38-18-6 record. 

© 2024 ABG-SI LLC. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ABG-SI LLC. - All Rights Reserved. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. All betting content is intended for an audience ages 21+. All advice, including picks and predictions, is based on individual commentators’ opinions and not that of Minute Media or its related brands. All picks and predictions are suggestions only. No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. For more information, please read our Legal Disclaimer. Gambling content intended for 21+. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.