Ilya Kovalchuk Sits Down with ESPN to Discuss His Transition to the NHL

Ilya Kovalchuk sat down with Greg Wyshynski to talk about his decision to return to the NHL this season after five years abroad in a
recent piece
for ESPN.
Kovalchuk reflects on his time in Russia, where he accomplished everything he hoped to, which included an Olympic Gold Medal and quality time spent in his home country.
He's now ready to take on the NHL, and is up to the challenge of keeping up with the younger players in a faster game. In his words, he still has some gas left in the tank.

The most exciting aspect about playing with the LA Kings? The teammates he'll be suiting up next to. Particularly, last year's Selke Trophy winner, Anze Kopitar.
"He's great. I've played with some good centers, don't get me wrong, but this guy right now is in his prime," Kovalchuk said. "He won the Selke Trophy last year. He was nominated for MVP. He's an all-around player, but what's important to me is that he's a great man. He's a great person. He's a very loyal guy."
Kovalchuk has started to get used to playing next to Kopitar after two preseason games with the Kings.
"You have less room. Less time," Kovalchuk said of playing in the NHL versus KHL. "Playing in the preseason is a good welcome. Every game, I'll play better and better."
If the best is still to come, things are looking pretty good for Kovalchuk...

He and his family are settling in to Los Angeles quite well, choosing to plant their roots in Beverly Hills.
"It's a great city for the family. I have four kids, and they're all settled. There's a lot of things to do here. And good weather, obviously," Kovalchuk said.
The Stanley Cup may be the only thing missing on his impressive list of accomplishments, but he isn't worried about that.
"I don't like to think too far ahead. I have to settle here first. Understand the system. Get my game shape back. That's what I need to do," said Kovalchuk.
However, we can't help but think that the Stanley Cup is in the back of his mind with the group he's playing with. "The same core group of guys from the 2014 one that won the Cup," Kovalchuk said.
Kovalchuk may be a "young 35" as he claims, but he's still wise beyond his years.
The biggest thing he's learned over the years? "Just enjoy living and be happy."