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NHL Veterans Kovalev, Kostitsyn Get Tryout Offers With Florida Panthers

One of the best players to spawn from Russia, Alex Kovalev has a chance to help Florida's young core, if he can make the team. Update: RDS reports former Predators forward Andrei Kostitsyn has also been offered a tryout with Florida.

By Alexander Calloway
Alex Kovalev (center) will tryout for the Panthers
Alex Kovalev (center) will tryout for the Panthers
Phillip MacCallum

First it was Marek Svatos, now it's Alex Kovalev. The 39 year-old Tolyatti, Russia native is reportedly invited to the Florida Panthers training camp on a tryout. Kovalev, a member of the NHL's 400 goal club, and 71st in all-time scoring, played 22 games with Atlant Moscow Oblast of the KHL, scoring six points (one goal, five assists). Released from his two-year commitment to Atlant Moscow thanks to a knee injury, Kovalev made his desire to return to the NHL very public.

The 15th overall pick in 1991 by the New York Rangers, "AK27" brings a lot of experience, another Stanley Cup, and leadership, all things Dale Tallon likes in his players. His last season in the NHL was in 2010-11 with the Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins, where he scored 34 points (16 goals, 18 assists) in 74 games.

Season Team Age GP G A PTS +/- TOI PPTOI SHTOI OGVT DGVT SGVT GVT
2008-09 MTL 35 78
 26
 39
 65
 -5
 19:25
 4:13
 1:30
 9.9
 0.7
 0.9
 11.5
2009-10 OTT 36 77
 18
 31
 49
 -8
 18:09
 3:14
 0:10
 6.0
 1.3
 1.8
 9.1
2010-11 PIT,OTT 37 74
 16
 18
 34
 -6
 16:30
 2:43
 0:08
 3.3
 1.1
 0.8
 5.2

Update: Andrei Kostitsyn will be the third player offered a spot in camp in the last two days. Kostitsyn split last season between the Montreal Canadiens and Nashville Predators, racking up 16 goals and 20 assists in 72 games, including 3 goals and an assist in 8 playoff games with the Predators.

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