Ilya Kovalchuk's departure from New Jersey will undoubtedly leave a massive hole in the New Jersey Devils' organization. However, Coach Pete DeBoer feels that the team can recover quickly from the loss.
"Of course I'm disappointed," DeBoer said, according to NHL.com. "It's tough to express, but when something comes at you like that out of left field, it's obviously not something that you would even consider from where I stand. When it does hit you, it's obviously disappointing. You catch your breath for a day and get ready to move forward."
The coach noted that Kovalchuk was not only a prolific scorer (816 points in 816 NHL games) but that he also helped the team with ice-time and special teams; Kovalchuk's 24:44 average ice time was the best among all NHL forwards in 2012-13.
"There's no hiding the fact it's a big hole; it's a big ice-time hole, specialty teams and in five-on-five," he said. "He's one of the best players in the world. There's a hole there and we have to find a way as a group to fill it."
However, DeBoer did note that the hole was not a big enough one that would set the team back.
"I don't feel that way ... maybe I should, but I don't," he said. "I enjoyed working with him. He was a good pro and good teammate in the dressing room and he'll be missed -- that's my feelings. I don't go any deeper than that. Everyone has a personal life and a personal decision regarding their career, and it's not my place to step in to that area."
Kovalchuk announced his retirement on July 11 and stated that family reasons drove him to return home to Russia. Kovalchuk can return to the NHL after his 35th birthday.
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
