Bruins are part of Ilya Kovalchuk talks, but no timetable set for decision

DALLAS – Don Sweeney confirmed that the Bruins have had talks with Ilya Kovalchuk’s camp as the veteran goal-scorer tries to make his move back to the NHL, but no definitive timetable has been set as to when Kovalchuk will, in fact, make that decision.

“We feel we’re a team he has strong interest in and we’re going to see where it goes and how long he takes to make that decision,” the Bruins general manager said Thursday the night before the NHL Draft. “He fits a need. We did talk very specifically about our roster and could see him fitting in. The scoring potential, the size, and strength.

“His options will be presented to him to see what’s in front of him,” Sweeney later added. “It’s kind of like looking at a menu.”

Those other options are the Los Angeles Kings or San Jose Sharks, according to multiple reports. TSN reported the Kings have already made an offer. Meanwhile, the Sharks possibly could make an intriguing push for both Kovalchuk and looming free agent John Tavares after making a series of trades this week to free up cap space. San Jose has roughly $16 million available in cap space.

That’s more than the Bruins, who have approximately $12 million to spend after the league finalized the cap at $79.5 million Thursday. Don Sweeney said the Bruins are close to getting something done in “the short term” for restricted free agent Sean Kuraly. They’ll also need a backup goaltender. Presuming they sign Anton Khudobin, they’ll have roughly $8-9 million available.

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The question is whether Kovalchuk would be the right fit, assuming the Bruins come to an agreement that would please the 35-year-old.

Kovalchuk spent the last five years in the KHL after leaving the Devils after four seasons. He’s scored at least 30 goals in the last two seasons. He’s scored at least 40 goals in seven of his 12 NHL seasons. Two other times he scored 38 and 37.

His skills as a goal-scorer are unquestioned, but the big challenge will be making the transition back to North American hockey, a transition Sweeney said he thinks Kovalchuk could make.

“Again, it’s five years removed from the NHL,” Sweeney said. “A lot of it’s changed. But I think he’ll be fine, he’s played on big stages. He has a lot we can utilize.”

The Bruins are also still in discussion with Rick Nash, who is set to become a free agent July 1. Sweeney took a big swing at the trade deadline when he shipped the team’s No. 26 first-round pick to the Rangers from Nash, who only played 11 regular season games and was inconsistent in the playoffs.

Nash, who’s 34, may not want to pursue another NHL season after injuries shortened his regular-season. His tenure seems more incomplete than anything else, and it’s possible he comes back to the Bruins on a cost-efficient deal – a discount worth taking for a shot at a Stanley Cup.

Of course, if the Bruins sign Kovalchuk it would all but ensure Nash would not be back. Kovalchuk is a natural left wing but can play both sides. The Bruins seem to have their top two left wings in Brad Marchand and Jake DeBrusk, who made great strides in his rookie season.

Kovalchuk could be a strong complement to the right side of David Krejci’s line, opposite of DeBrusk.

If the Bruins don’t land Kovalchuk, they’ll certainly have options. There’s the possibility David Pastrnak, part of the Bruins dominant first line, moves back to the second-line right wing, which was where he started last season. There’s real chemistry with fellow Czech Krejci, but they failed to find that in a Bruins uniform. Anders Bjork may get another shot after he missed most of last season because of shoulder surgery. Danton Heinen also got a spin on the top line but was more of a passenger to Marchand and Bergeron. By the end of the year, Heinen struggled to find a consistent stride.

There’s an obvious role for Kovalchuk to fill, but it’s uncertain whether the Bruins can compete with what other teams will be able to offer.