Florida Panthers GM Dale Tallon confirmed to The Miami Herald that Alexei Kovalev has signed his retirement papers and is no longer a member of the team.
Kovalev hadn't played for the Panthers since Feb. 22 and, according to The Herald, left the team shortly after that game. He was attempting to make an NHL comeback after spending last season in the KHL but never mustered up much of an impact with Florida. It's a disappointing and quiet end for one of the most electrifying and talented players we've ever seen. We wouldn't be surprised if Kovalev pops back up in the KHL sooner or later.

The Florida Panthers might part ways with Alexei Kovalev.
Kovalev is no longer travelling with the team and the Panthers are investigating "other options." That might mean a trade, but it's more likely that Florida's next step will be to put him on waivers.

Alexei Kovalev was a healthy scratch on his 40th birthday.
Kovalev reached the milestone on Sunday while his team suffered a 4-1 loss. He has two goals and five points in 14 games in 2013.

Alexei Kovalev rejoined the Panthers lineup Friday night.
Kovalev was a scratch Thursday in Philadelphia. The winger has two goals and three assists on the year. George Parros is out of the Florida lineup.

Alexei Kovalev will be a healthy scratch Thursday night at Philadelphia.
He'll probably be back in the lineup Friday versus Pittsburgh. Kovalev has recorded just two goals and three assists in 13 games for Florida this campaign.

Alexei Kovalev will return to the Florida lineup on Tuesday after being a healthy scratch the previous two games.
Kovalev has been skating in practice on a line with Marcel Goc and Tomas Kopecky. Jack Skille will sit this one out. Kovalev has two goals and two assists but after a big opening game, he has managed only a goal in his last eight games.

Alexei Kovalev skated with Marcel Goc and Tomas Kopecky during practice Monday.
He has been a healthy scratch for the team's last two games and while there's no guarantee that he'll play Tuesday, it appears probable that he will be back in the lineup.

Alexei Kovalev may return to the Panther lineup Saturday against the Capitals after being a healthy scratch Thursday night against the Flyers.
Cats' coach Kevin Dineen and Kovalev spoke about giving the 39-year-old winger some time off during the season and Thursday night was one of those occasions. Although Jack Skille, who dressed in Kovalev's place, did a nice job against Philly, we expect Kovalev to play Saturday in Washington.

Alexei Kovalev didn't end up missing any playing time due to the flu.
Kovalev skipped Friday's practice because of the illness. He had a minus-one rating and two blocked shots in 17:33 minutes of playing time in Florida's 4-3 victory.

Alexei Kovalev returned to action on Sunday February 3.

Alexei Kovalev is expected to play Sunday against Buffalo.
He missed practice Friday with the flu but should be good to go Sunday afternoon. Leave Kovalev active if you need him.

Alexei Kovalev didn't practice on Friday due to the flu.
The Panthers don't play until Sunday, so Kovalev still has a fair amount of time to recover. All the same, we'll list him as day-to-day for now.

Alexei Kovalev scored his first goal Thursday since the Florida Panthers' season opener.
While Kovalev has lagged, so has seemingly the entire Panthers' offense. While the return of top center Stephen Weiss (groin) will likely help the Panthers and Kovalev, we expect a lot of stops and starts in Kovalev's return to the NHL. Owners who took a chance on the aging winger will want to keep that in mind this season.

Alexei Kovalev skated with the top line during Thursday's morning skate.
He'll try to snap Tomas Fleischmann and Stephen Weiss out of their mini-slumps. Tomas Kopecky took Kovalev's spot on the Panthers' second line with Peter Mueller and Jonathan Huberdeau. Kovalev opened the season with a goal and two assists, but he has been held without a point in the team's past two games.

Alexei Kovalev made his return to Ottawa on Monday and on Tuesday he'll be back on the ice in Montreal against the Canadiens.
Kovalev played with the Senators after skating with Montreal for four whole seasons. He should get a nice welcome back from the Canadiens' faithful unlike in Ottawa, where he was booed throughout the contest. He opened the season with one goal and two assists in his Panthers debut but was shutout, along with his teammates, by the Senators on Monday in a 4-0 defeat. Don't be surprised if his comeback season in the NHL includes plenty of hot and cold streaks.

Alexei Kovalev has inked a one-year/$1 million contract with the Florida Panthers.
Kovalev will be able to earn more if by earning games played-related bonuses. He had six points and 16 penalty minutes in 22 KHL games with Moscow Oblast Atlant last season. He joined the Panthers training camp on a tryout basis and managed to earn a roster spot through that.

Alexei Kovalev said he spoke with the Panthers before the 2011-12 season about playing with the organization.
He was apparently offered a tryout deal by GM Dale Tallon, but for whatever reason it didn't work out. "The situation changed a little bit and I couldn't wait anymore so I went to Russia," said Kovalev. "I guess the offer still stands and they decided I could come back. I want to get back in the NHL. They're going to give me a chance, see how things go." He said he is fully recovered from a knee injury that bothered him in 2011-12 when he played briefly in the KHL and he is ready to compete in the NHL's abbreviated season this year.

Alexei Kovalev will reportedly attend training camp with the Florida Panthers, according to George Richards of the Miami Herald.
The 39-year-old forward's last appearance in the NHL was in 2010-11 when he registered 16 goals and 34 points in 74 games between Ottawa and Pittsburgh. Kovalev spent part of the 2011-12 in the KHL, but he expressed his interest to return to the NHL during the summer and said he had offers from teams. He is currently working out in Pompano with the team.