FILE - In this Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017 file photo, Russia national ice hockey team captain Ilya Kovalchuk listens to a journalists question during a news conference followed an Russian Olympic committee meeting in Moscow, Russia. Kovalchuk has agreed to a three-year, $18.75 million deal to return to the NHL with the Los Angeles Kings. The club announced the deal Saturday, June 23, 2018 with Kovalchuk, who is back in North America after a five-year absence. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev, file)
FILE - In this Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017 file photo, Russia national ice hockey team captain Ilya Kovalchuk listens to a journalists question during a news conference followed an Russian Olympic committee meeting in Moscow, Russia. Kovalchuk has agreed to a three-year, $18.75 million deal to return to the NHL with the Los Angeles Kings. The club announced the deal Saturday, June 23, 2018 with Kovalchuk, who is back in North America after a five-year absence. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev, file) Credit: Ivan Sekretarev

After five years back home in Russia, Ilya Kovalchuk is ready to resume his Stanley Cup chase with the Los Angeles Kings.

The high-scoring forward agreed to a three-year, $18.75 million deal with the Kings on Saturday, choosing Los Angeles over several interested teams for his return to the NHL.

The 35-year-old Kovalchuk scored 816 points in 816 career games for the Atlanta Thrashers and the New Jersey Devils before leaving North America in 2013 for the Kontinental Hockey League’s SKA St. Petersburg. He led the KHL in scoring last season, and he was the MVP of the Olympic tournament in Pyeongchang while propelling the “Olympic Athletes from Russia” to a gold medal.

Boston and San Jose were among the suitors for Kovalchuk, but the Kings made a top-dollar offer to add him to a lineup that could use another dependable goal-scorer. Kovalchuk is likely to be particularly important on the power play for the Kings, who ranked in the middle of the NHL standings in most team scoring categories.

Ex-Bruin Hamilton Dealt to Canes

Dallas — The Carolina Hurricanes acquired defenseman Dougie Hamilton on Saturday as part of a five-player trade with the Calgary Flames at the NHL draft.

Carolina got Hamilton, winger Micheal Ferland and prospect Adam Fox from Calgary for center Elias Lindholm and defenseman Noah Hanifin in the biggest trade so far this offseason.

The 25-year-old Hamilton now has been traded at the draft twice after going from the Boston Bruins to the Flames three years ago. The 6-foot-6 right-shot defender has 220 points in 423 regular-season games.

Source: Avs Buying Out Orpik

Dallas — A person with knowledge of the move told The Associated Press that the Colorado Avalanche placed veteran defenseman Brooks Orpik on unconditional waivers to buy out his contract.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity on Saturday because the Avalanche did not announce the transaction. Assuming Orpik clears waivers, Colorado can buy him out today, less than 48 hours after acquiring him in a trade with the Washington Capitals.

Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic told Orpik after trading for him that the team planned to explore a trade or buy out the 37-year-old. Sakic took on Orpik’s $5.5 million salary in the trade to get goaltender Philipp Grubauer without giving up more than a second-round pick.

Capitals GM Brian MacLellan said Friday night he was open to bringing Orpik back if the price was right. Orpik was a respected leader on Washington’s Stanley Cup-winning team.

___

AP Hockey Writer John Wawrow contributed to this report.