Kovalchuk isn't expected to play in Friday's game versus the Flames due to an ankle injury, Jon Rosen of Fox Sports West reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kovalchuk's ice time has been slipping lately with two of the last three games below 10 minutes. His production has been brutal as well, with zero points and a minus-7 rating in the last 11 games. The final verdict on his availability will be known when warmups commence at 8:30 ET.

Kovalchuk only skated for 9:05 in Tuesday's 2-1 overtime win over the Canucks.

EDGE Analysis

Kovalchuk started the season on the top line, but he's dropped all the way to the fourth line under the direction of Willie Desjardins, who has replaced John Stevens as the head coach after Stevens was shown the door in early November. The line demotion naturally has caused fantasy owners abound to sour on Kovalchuk, but he's still holding a spot on the No. 1 power-play unit, with six of his 14 points taking place on the man advantage through 24 games.

Kovalchuk scored a goal and added an assist Thursday in a 5-2 loss to Philadelphia.

EDGE Analysis

Kovalchuk and Jeff Carter were the only bright spots for the Kings on another lackluster night for the team. While L.A. might be struggling, Kovalchuk seems to be back on track with five points in his past two games. He looks like he might be returning to form, even if his team isn't.

Kovalchuk scored a goal and added two assists Sunday in a 4-3 home win versus the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

The Russian had been shutout in three straight but broke out in a big way Sunday, helping the Kings snap their six-game losing skid in the process. Kovalchuk has eight points on the season and will now enjoy a three-day break, with Los Angeles' next game coming Thursday at home against the Flyers.

Kovalchuk scored one goal and fired three shots on net in Tuesday's 2-1 loss to the Jets.

EDGE Analysis

Kovalchuk streaked toward the net and deflected a Drew Doughty pass behind Connor Hellebuyck for the first score of the night. He also logged a monstrous 23:03 of ice time, proving that the faster NHL game was no problem. The 35-year-old now has one goal and two helpers in three games for the Kings, and fantasy owners should be delighted that the slight risk they took on Kovalchuk is paying off early.

Kovalchuk recorded two even-strength assists in Sunday's 4-2 home win over the Red Wings. The Russian power winger crossed 400 career helpers and delivered his first points as a King.

EDGE Analysis

Kovalchuk now has 401 career assists and 818 total points in as many NHL contests. He's back in the NHL after wreaking havoc on KHL goalies the past five seasons, forming the top line with two-time Selke Trophy winner Anze Kopitar and another heady skater in 24-year-old Alex Iafallo. Curiously, the Kings used Kovalchuk as a net-front screener on the power play in the season-opening loss to the Sharks on Friday. Sure, he's a tank at 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, but the winger also boasts a terrific point shot that could result in plenty of man-advantage goals should the Kings switch things up in that key special teams situation.

Kovalchuk registered a secondary power-play assist Tuesday in a 4-3 split-squad home loss to the Coyotes. He recorded 22:48 of ice time in his Kings debut.

EDGE Analysis

As a clear indication of how eager the Kings were to see Kovalchuk in action, he received more ice time than any other forward involved in this matchup. As expected, Kovalchuk was stationed on the top line with Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown, though it's not clear whether Brown or Alex Iafallo will skate with the 6-foot-3, 230-pound power forward from Russia during the regular season.

Kings president, Luc Robitaille expects newly acquired sniper, Ilya Kovalchuk, to score 25-30 goals this season, Josh Cooper of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Like a fine wine, Kovalchuk, 35, only gets better with age. In the five-plus seasons spent abroad, playing in the KHL, Kovalchuk's final two were his best statistically. Meanwhile, he's averaged one point-per-game in the North American "show" -- 816 points in 816 games, including an 83-point campaign in 2011-12. Kovalchuk's specialty is scoring goals, especially via one-timers -- his new team, the Kings, averaged less than three goals-per-game in 2017-18. Expect the addition of the Russian sniper to cause that number to rise above three in 2018-19.

Kovalchuk has met with the Bruins, Kings, Sharks and Golden Knights as he makes plans to return to the NHL, reports the NHL.com.

EDGE Analysis

He can't officially sign with a team until July 1, but he can agree to a contract before then. Kovy is 35 and clearly weighing several offers. He hasn't played in the NHL since 2012-13 when he scored 31 points in 37 games with New Jersey. Last season, Kovalchuk led the KHL in scoring with 63 points (31 goals, 32 assists) in 53 games and he has 285 points in 262 KHL games over the last five seasons.

Kovalchuk visited the Kings on Friday and the Sharks on Sunday, Darren Dreger of TSN reports.

EDGE Analysis

With the Stanley Cup celebrations continuing in Washington, Kovalchuk is seeking a home that will give him a solid shot at hoisting Lord Stanley. The Sharks and the Kings could both use an offensive asset like Kovalchuk, who has back-to-back, 30-goal seasons in the KHL and notched five goals in six games for Russia during the 2018 Winter Olympics. However, as much as Kovalchuk wants a championship, he doesn't need to take a pay cut either. The Sharks are tight on cash at the moment and are pondering re-signing Joe Thornton to a team-friendly deal. The Kings don't have much cap space either, but they have a more favorable free agency outlook. Kovalchuk has plenty of time to weigh his options, as he can't officially sign until July 1, but he can agree to terms with a team before that.