Former NHL player Alexei Kovalev has officially hung up his skates for good. Kovalev retired from the NHL last season but skated with a second-tier Swiss team, EHC Visp, in 2013-14. The 41-year-old indicated that injuries were the main reason for his retirement. Kovalev played in 1,316 NHL regular-season games the most of any Russian-born player. He scored 430 goals and registered 599 assists for 1,029 points during his 22-year NHL carrer. We wish the enigamtic one well. Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/07/03/4216684/alex-kovalev-calls-it-a-career.html#storylink=cpy

Retired NHL player Alexei Kovalev isn't all that surprised that Ilya Kovalchuk left the New Jersey Devils to play in the KHL. "Hockey in Russia has become much better," Kovalev told the Montreal Gazette. "There are a lot of European players who go and play there, and the KHL wants to bring good hockey back. They'll do whatever it takes."

Florida Panthers GM Dale Tallon confirmed to The Miami Herald that Alexei Kovalev has signed his retirement papers and is no longer a member of the team. Kovalev hadn't played for the Panthers since Feb. 22 and, according to The Herald, left the team shortly after that game. He was attempting to make an NHL comeback after spending last season in the KHL but never mustered up much of an impact with Florida. It's a disappointing and quiet end for one of the most electrifying and talented players we've ever seen. We wouldn't be surprised if Kovalev pops back up in the KHL sooner or later.

The Florida Panthers might part ways with Alexei Kovalev. Kovalev is no longer travelling with the team and the Panthers are investigating "other options." That might mean a trade, but it's more likely that Florida's next step will be to put him on waivers.

Alexei Kovalev was a healthy scratch on his 40th birthday. Kovalev reached the milestone on Sunday while his team suffered a 4-1 loss. He has two goals and five points in 14 games in 2013.

Alexei Kovalev rejoined the Panthers lineup Friday night. Kovalev was a scratch Thursday in Philadelphia. The winger has two goals and three assists on the year. George Parros is out of the Florida lineup.

Alexei Kovalev will be a healthy scratch Thursday night at Philadelphia. He'll probably be back in the lineup Friday versus Pittsburgh. Kovalev has recorded just two goals and three assists in 13 games for Florida this campaign.

Alexei Kovalev will return to the Florida lineup on Tuesday after being a healthy scratch the previous two games. Kovalev has been skating in practice on a line with Marcel Goc and Tomas Kopecky. Jack Skille will sit this one out. Kovalev has two goals and two assists but after a big opening game, he has managed only a goal in his last eight games.

Alexei Kovalev skated with Marcel Goc and Tomas Kopecky during practice Monday. He has been a healthy scratch for the team's last two games and while there's no guarantee that he'll play Tuesday, it appears probable that he will be back in the lineup.

Alexei Kovalev may return to the Panther lineup Saturday against the Capitals after being a healthy scratch Thursday night against the Flyers. Cats' coach Kevin Dineen and Kovalev spoke about giving the 39-year-old winger some time off during the season and Thursday night was one of those occasions. Although Jack Skille, who dressed in Kovalev's place, did a nice job against Philly, we expect Kovalev to play Saturday in Washington.