NHL

Kovalchuk decides to stay with Devils

The Devils have won the Ilya Kovalchuk Sweepstakes, the team confirmed this morning.

Kovalchuk decided today to stick with the Devils instead of trying to lead the Kings to their first Stanley Cup against a winter backdrop of sunshine, palm trees and Hollywood.

It took 19 days of free agency before Kovalchuk made his decision among the Devils, Kings and St. Petersburg of the KHL.

The deal is expected to be for $100 million over 17 years, which trumped the Kings offer of $64 million over 12 years. The team is holding a 1 p.m. press conference Tuesday in Newark to announce the news.

“This was a long arduous process that has taken frankly a little longer than I thought,” his agent Jay Grossman told the AP. “But you know what, nothing is worth anything unless you work for it. I can tell you he is very happy to be with the New Jersey Devils.”

Kovalchuk is believed to have been set to sign with the Devils July 5 before he reconsidered and re-engaged the Kings in contract talks. The Kings dropped out of the bidding twice, then played host to him a week ago to convince him to go west. Throughout that circus, the Devils remained steadfast in their pursuit.

The first-overall NHL draft pick in 2001, taken by Atlanta, Kovalchuk has scored 52-goals twice, and is regarded as the best-ever unrestricted free agent.

The Thrashers tried to sign him long-term last winter, at $70 million over seven years and $100 million over 12. When he turned down those offers, the Thrashers traded him on Feb. 4 to the Devils, who beat out competition from the Kings to rent the 27-year-old left wing.

Kovalchuk was dealt to New Jersey with Anssi Salmela and a swap of seconds for Johnny Oduya, Niclas Bergfors, prospect Patrice Cormier and a first-rounder.

He scored 27 points in 27 games with the Devils, and led them with six points in five playoff games.

Now, the Devils will have to make room for him under the salary cap, and they may have to move regulars to do it.

Kovalchuk again leads an an arsenal at left wing, their strongest position beside goal, including Zach Parise, Patrik Elias, Brian Rolston and Dainius Zubrus.