Ilya Kovalchuk is retiring from the NHL. "This is something I have thought about for a long time going back to the lockout and spending the year in Russia," Kovalchuk said in a statement. "Though I decided to return this past season, Lou was aware of my desire to go back home and have my family there with me. The most difficult thing for me is to leave the New Jersey Devils, a great organization that I have a lot of respect for, and our fans that have been great to me." Kovalchuk is only 30 and had only played in three seasons of his 15-year, $100 million contract with the New Jersey Devils. This is a huge blow to the Devils as it removes arguably their most effective offensive weapon from the equation.