Nikolai Kovalenko of San Jose Sharks is not sure to return to the NHL, team

San Jose – The Sharks of San Jose thought that the winger Nikolai Kovalenko would be part of their future when they acquired him as part of the trade that sent goalkeeper Mackenzie Blackwood to the Colorado avalanche in December.

But after a frustrating first month in San Jose, Kovalenko’s prospects with the Sharks seem to be best troubled, the 25 -year -old striker saying Thursday that he would like to be back with the team, but only if his use changes and his playing time increases.

Between the injuries and the rehearsed healthy stripes, including seven in a period of nine games from March 15 to April 5, Kovalenko collected 12 points in 29 games with the Sharks when he was raised from top to bottom and in and out of the alignment.

Since commerce, Kovalenko was on average 12:40 in ice time with the Sharks, the ninth more among all the attackers still with the organization. The Sharks (20-50-12) ended their season with a 3-0 defeat against the EDMONTON Oilers on Wednesday and finished last in the NHL with 52 points.

Kovalenko, a restricted free agent pending, revealed Thursday that two general managers of the Kontinental Hockey League, where he spent more seasons before coming to North America last April, already contacted him.

In a recent interview with Russia Hockey, Nikolai’s father, the NHL long -standing player Andrei Kovalenko, said: “Overall, there is dissatisfaction on the side (from Nikolai)” and that the agent of his son spoke with his former KHL team, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, of a possible return.

The website also said that Endei Kovalenko recently met the Director General of Sharks, Mike Grier, his former Oilers teammate.

Nikolai Kovalenko said his dream was to play in the NHL. On Thursday, when the Sharks met as a team for the last time this season, he was asked if he wanted to stay with San Jose if he stays in the NHL.

“I think it’s a good question for Mike Grier, not for me,” said Kovalenko, “and if he wanted me to stay, we will have a conversation on this subject. Otherwise, ok, we will only find another team.”

Sharks must issue an eligible offer in Kovalenko at the end of June if they want to keep his rights. If Kovalenko leaves for the KHL without exchange to another NHL team, the Sharks would still hold its rights in the NHL.

Does Kovalenko want to return to San Jose if Grier wants him to come back?

“I think that if it will be the same thing as this year, obviously no,” said Kovalenko, referring to his playing time. “So, maybe, if something has changed, or something like that, we can have this conversation.”

Kovalenko missed 14 games with the Sharks this season due to an injury, including nine consecutive games from February 4 to March 4. He returned to alignment on March 6 when the Sharks played the avalanche in Denver and dressed for six of the next seven games.

Kovalenko was scratched for six consecutive games from March 27 to April 5. The scratches coincided with the arrival of the front prospect Cam Lund, who signed his entry -level contract with the Sharks on March 21 and made his debut in the NHL six days later.

Asked about his message to Kovalenko, Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky, earlier this month, said: “I think you are on the ice, if it’s a practice, if it’s a morning skate, it’s your game. You are still assessed.”

Kovalenko has played the last six games of the season and saw an increase in ice time, sometimes playing on a line with Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith. In the last six games, Kovalenko has had a goal and two assists and on average more than 15 minutes in time of ice, revealing that it may be an asset for the Sharks.

The veteran center of Sharks, Alexander Wennberg, saw Kovalenko’s ability, but noted that if someone wanted to play more, he must be merit.

“I have the impression that you save your ice time,” said Wennberg, who has just finished his 11th NHL season. “Obviously, everyone wants to play more, but you have to leave everything there. I don’t have a secret recipe for the way you play more or not. But if you look in the room, there are so many talented players. Everyone wants to play more. Everyone wants to play the power game and all that.

“So, it comes back to you, your work ethics, and how much you want to do it, and (Kovalenko) do a good job. But obviously, it’s competitive. Everyone here wants to do the same thing too. So, the only thing you can do is try to be better than the guy next to you. It helps everyone to push to a higher level and help the team.”