Rushin' Home

Devils sniper Ilya Kovalchuk stunned the NHL last week by announcing his retirement three seasons into a 15-year, $100 million contract. The 30-year-old Russian left wing had chafed at the league's 8.4% salary rollback during last season's lockout, when he played in the KHL for SKA St. Petersburg. On Monday he signed a four-year deal with SKA, which begins training camp on July 22 in Switzerland. Here's a look at Kovalchuk's saga by the numbers.

$102 million Value of the original 17-year deal that Kovalchuk signed with New Jersey on July 19, 2010. The NHL voided the contract for violating the salary cap. He signed the $100 million agreement six weeks later.

1 First-round draft choices surrendered by the Devils as a penalty for Kovalchuk's initial cap-bypassing deal. General manager Lou Lamoriello chose to delay the punishment until the 2014 draft.

222 Games that Kovalchuk, who had been acquired at the trade deadline from the Thrashers on Feb. 4, 2010, played for New Jersey.

201 Points scored by Kovalchuk for the Devils (89 goals, 112 assists).

$23 million Amount paid to Kovalchuk by New Jersey over the last three seasons.

1 Conference titles for the Devils during Kovalchuk's time with the team. He scored 19 points in 23 games during the 2012 playoffs, but a back injury limited him in the later rounds. Underdog New Jersey fell to the Kings in six games in the Stanley Cup finals.

$250,000 Cap penalty the Devils must pay for Kovalchuk in each of the next 12 years.

PHOTO

ANDY MARLIN/NHLI/GETTY IMAGES (KOVALCHUK)