Kovalchuk signing fails to ignite L.A. offence

LOS ANGELES— The Los Angeles Kings and Ilya Kovalchuk seemed like an ideal match when they agreed to a threeyear, $18.75-million U.S. contract over the summer.

Kovalchuk, a high-scoring winger, had accomplished all he could in five seasons in Russia, having won two professional championships, a scoring title, a world championship and an Olympic gold medal. The Kings were statistically the NHL’s best defensive team last season but had a middling offence that lacked scoring depth.

Kovalchuk’s combination of power, finesse and technical skill appealed to the Kings. Their accomplished, veteran nucleus attracted Kovalchuk in his search to return to the NHL after five seasons in Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League.

“He’s a good player, and of course every good player wants to play in the best league. He wanted to, not just play, he wanted to win a Stanley Cup,” said fellow Russian Pavel Datsyuk, who competed alongside Kovalchuk in Russia.

But if the Stanley Cup is the goal, the Kings, at least this season, may not be much help.

Plagued by a dearth of scoring, an ineffective power play, the absence of their trademark defensive doggedness and a seemingly unshakable malaise, Los Angeles (7-14-1) is last in the league standings.

Kovalchuk has at least been a positive force. His five goals and 14 points are all team highs for the season.

Kovalchuk and his wife, Nikol, have situated their four children in Beverly Hills, where they have taken to their new surroundings.

“My wife did a great job, and everybody’s settled in and happy on the family side,” Kovalchuk said.

“We just have to start winning games, and it’ll be very good for everybody.”