Nikolai Kovalenko - NHL News & Rumors

Avalanche's failed winger leaving NHL to sign contract with CSKA Moscow in KHL | Sporting News Colorado couldn't make it work with Nikolai Kovalenko.

JULY 12 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Sharks Free Agent Nikolai Kovalenko Signs In KHL American-born Russian winger Nikolai Kovalenko, 25, has signed a two-year contract with CSKA Moscow, the KHL club announced on social media...

JULY 12 • THEHOCKEYNEWS.COM

Signs in KHL Kovalenko inked a two-year contract with CSKA Moscow of the KHL on Friday, according to EliteProspects.com.

Impact Kovalenko spent last season with San Jose and Colorado, scoring seven goals and adding 13 assists across 57 regular-season games in his only NHL campaign. The 25-year-old returns home after playing seven seasons in the KHL before crossing the pond late in the 2023-24 season.

JULY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Sharks cut ties with Nikolai Kovalenko after rocky tenure in San Jose San Jose Sharks are allowing Nikolai Kovalenko and a group of other players to become unrestricted free agents.

JUNE 30 • MERCURYNEWS.COM

Free agency bound Kovalenko will become an unrestricted after the Sharks didn't give him a qualifying offer Monday.

Impact Kovalenko split last season with the Avs and Sharks, logging a combined 57 regular-season contests while tallying seven goals, 13 assists and 45 shots. Combining his age (25) and NHL experience, the winger should receive some offers once free agency opens Tuesday.

JUNE 30 • ROTOWIRE

Does this winger want to return to the Sharks? Not if it's like this year SAN JOSE – The San Jose Sharks believed winger Nikolai Kovalenko would be a part of their future whe...

APRIL 18 • SACBEE.COM

Lends assist Friday Kovalenko logged an assist in Friday's 4-2 loss to the Oilers.

Impact Kovalenko has a goal and two assists during a three-game point streak since he got back in the lineup following a six-game stint as a healthy scratch. The 25-year-old winger is now at 20 points (seven goals, 13 assists), 44 shots on net, 79 hits and a minus-5 rating over 54 appearances between the Sharks and the Avalanche. He's getting top-six minutes late in 2024-25, so he may be worth streaming for fantasy managers looking for a boost over the final week of the season.

APRIL 12 • ROTOWIRE

Pots goal in overtime loss Kovalenko scored a goal, added two hits and blocked three shots in Wednesday's 8-7 overtime loss to the Wild.

Impact Kovalenko stayed in a top-six role Wednesday, logging 16:19 of ice time while playing alongside Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith. The 25-year-old Kovalenko has a goal, an assist, five hits and four blocked shots over his last two games after being a healthy scratch for the previous six contests. He's now at seven goals, 19 points, 44 shots on net, 79 hits, 24 blocked shots and a minus-6 rating over 53 appearances between the Sharks and the Avalanche. He doesn't have a lot of scoring upside even if he stays in the top six to close out the campaign.

APRIL 10 • ROTOWIRE

Eriksson Ek, Kaprizov return to lead the Wild past the Sharks, 8-7 in overtime

Joel Eriksson Ek scored a career-high four goals in his return from a lower-body injury, Kirill Kaprizov had his second of the game in overtime in his first game back and the Minne...

APRIL 10 • Associated Press

Nikolai Kovalenko with a Goal vs. Minnesota Wild | San Jose Sharks Nikolai Kovalenko (San Jose Sharks) with a Goal vs. Minnesota Wild, 04/09/2025

APRIL 10 • NHL.COM

Picks up assist in loss Kovalenko recorded an assist and three hits in Monday's 3-2 loss to the Flames.

Impact Kovalenko had been a scratch for the previous six games, but he filled in for Tyler Toffoli (lower body) in Monday's contest. The 25-year-old Kovalenko helped out on the first of Will Smith's two goals. As the Sharks incorporate more prospects, Kovalenko has struggled to carve out a regular role. The winger has 18 points, 43 shots on net, 77 hits and a minus-7 rating over 52 appearances between the Sharks and the Avalanche this season.

APRIL 8 • ROTOWIRE

Using therapist, San Jose Sharks winger works on his mental game NHL: San Jose Sharks forward Nikolai Kovalenko earned his first point in nearly a month Monday against the Calgary Flames

APRIL 8 • MERCURYNEWS.COM

Klapka, Frost help Flames rally in third period to beat Sharks 3-2

Adam Klapka and Morgan Frost scored 2:48 apart midway through Calgary’s three-goal third period, and the Flames rallied to beat the San Jose Sharks 3-2

APRIL 8 • Associated Press

Scores in second game back from IR Kovalenko scored a power-play goal and added four PIM in Saturday's 4-2 loss to the Islanders.

Impact Kovalenko was playing in his second game back after missing nine contests due to an upper-body injury. While he got the Sharks on the board in the second period with a power-play tally, his second penalty of the game led to the Islanders' fourth goal. Kovalenko shouldn't have trouble sticking in the lineup for the remainder of the season, but he'll likely be in a bottom-six role. He's at six goals, 17 points, 41 shots on net, 69 hits and a minus-8 rating over 47 appearances between the Sharks and the Avalanche this season.

MARCH 9 • ROTOWIRE

Pageau, Sorokin lead Islanders to 4-2 win over struggling Sharks

Jean-Gabriel Pageau had a goal and two assists, Ilya Sorokin stopped 38 shots and the New York Islanders beat the San Jose Sharks 4-2

MARCH 9 • Associated Press

Good to play Kovalenko (upper body) has been activated off injured reserve, setting the stage for him to play Thursday versus Colorado, per Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News.

Impact Kovalenko has five goals, 16 points and 68 hits in 45 outings between Colorado and San Jose in 2024-25. His return coincidences with Luke Kunin drawing out of the lineup for roster management purposes.

MARCH 6 • ROTOWIRE

Likely to return Thursday Kovalenko (upper body) is set to play Thursday versus Colorado, per Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News.

Impact Kovalenko would need to be activated off injured reserve before he can draw back into the lineup. He has five goals, 16 points and 68 hits in 45 appearances between Colorado and San Jose this season. Kovalenko's return would likely push Klim Kostin out of the lineup.

MARCH 6 • ROTOWIRE

Sharks' Warsofsky says he has no problem with Kovalenko, or Russian players SAN JOSE – San Jose Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky said he has no issues with Nikolai Kovalenko after t...

FEBRUARY 22 • SACBEE.COM

Won't be ready for start of trip Kovalenko (upper body) could return during the middle of the Sharks' seven game road trip, Max Miller of NHL.com reports.

Impact Kovalenko's return is not imminent. The Sharks begin a seven-game road trip in Calgary on Sunday, but it sounds like the winger will miss at least a couple more games before he's activated from injured reserve. Kovalenko will bolster the Sharks' bottom six once he's able to rejoin the active roster.

FEBRUARY 18 • ROTOWIRE

On injured reserve Kovalenko (upper body) was placed on injured reserve Thursday, per Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News.

Impact This move frees a roster spot for Ty Dellandrea (upper body) to be activated off injured reserve. Kovalenko won't return until after the 4 Nations Face-Off -- the Sharks first game following the tournament will be Feb. 23 versus Calgary. He has five goals and 16 points in 45 appearances between Colorado and San Jose in 2024-25.

FEBRUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Out until after 4 Nations Face-Off Kovalenko (undisclosed) isn't expected to return before the 4 Nations Face-Off, Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News reports Friday.

Impact San Jose's first game after the tournament is set for Feb. 23 versus Calgary. Kovalenko has five goals and 16 points in 45 appearances in 2024-25. The Sharks are down to 11 healthy forwards, though it is possible that Ty Dellandrea (upper body) or Alexander Wennberg (upper body) will be available to return for the Sharks' next clash, which will occur Tuesday against Montreal.

JANUARY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Won't finish contest Kovalenko (undisclosed) won't finish Thursday's game versus the Kraken.

Impact A reason for Kovalenko's departure from the contest was not made available. He had two PIM in 8:58 of ice time prior to his exit. The Sharks are dealing with a number of absences at forward, so if Kovalenko can't play Tuesday versus the Canadiens, a roster move may be required unless Alexander Wennberg (upper body) or Ty Dellandrea (upper body) can return.

JANUARY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Provides two assists in loss Kovalenko logged two assists and three hits in Thursday's 6-5 loss to the Predators.

Impact Kovalenko was held off the scoresheet in his return from an upper-body injury Tuesday. He made up for it by assisting on tallies from Walker Duehr and Henry Thrun in this contest. Kovalenko is up to eight points in 14 games, matching his output from 28 outings with the Avalanche to begin the year before he was dealt to the Sharks. The 25-year-old winger has added 37 shots on net, 64 hits and a minus-5 rating.

JANUARY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Good to go Kovalenko (upper body) will play against Nashville on Tuesday, per Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now.

Impact Kovalenko will return to the lineup after missing the last six outings. He has five goals, 14 points, 60 hits and 37 shots on net in 40 games between San Jose and Colorado this season. Kovalenko will replace Carl Grundstrom in Tuesday's lineup.

JANUARY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Activated from IR, ruled out Monday Kovalenko (upper body) was activated from injured reserve Monday but has been ruled out for Monday's road game against Boston.

Impact Kovalenko practiced for a second consecutive day Sunday and was considered an option for Monday's road matchup. Although he's been activated from injured reserve, he'll be sidelined for at least one more game due to his upper-body injury. Kovalenko appears to be trending in the right direction, but it's unclear whether he'll be available for Tuesday's game in Nashville.

JANUARY 20 • ROTOWIRE

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Eriksson Ek, Kaprizov return to lead the Wild past the Sharks, 8-7 in overtime

Klapka, Frost help Flames rally in third period to beat Sharks 3-2

Pageau, Sorokin lead Islanders to 4-2 win over struggling Sharks