Kovalchuk signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Canadiens on Jan. 3. The 36-year-old forward has 22 points (nine goals, 13 assists) in 39 games this season, including 13 points in 22 games with Montreal.
He had nine points (three goals, six assists) in 17 games with the Los Angeles Kings and was a healthy scratch in his final 18 games before he was placed on unconditional waivers and had his contract terminated by the Kings on Dec. 17.
"The chance to win the Stanley Cup] is the main factor," Kovalchuk said. "Like I said from Day One when I came back to the NHL, it's my dream. Hopefully, you know? You never know but you just need to work hard."
***[RELATED: [2019-20 NHL Trade Tracker]*
Kovalchuk signed a three-year, $18.75 million contract with the Kings on July 1, 2018, after five seasons with SKA St. Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League. He has 56 points (25 goals, 31 assists) in 103 games since returning to the NHL.
"Washington, we just played them, I feel like I can help," Kovalchuk said. "They're already good everywhere but it's a great opportunity. I know a lot of guys there, I played against and with, national teams and other teams, it's exciting for me. Obviously looking to go all the way, hopefully we'll do some damage in the playoffs."
The No. 1 pick by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 2001 NHL Draft, Kovalchuk has 872 points (442 goals, 430 assists) in 919 NHL games with the Thrashers, New Jersey Devils, Kings and Canadiens, and 27 points (11 goals, 16 assists) in 32 Stanley Cup Playoff games. He scored 52 goals in 2005-06 and 2007-08 and has six seasons of at least 40 goals. He had 19 points (eight goals, 11 assists) to help the Devils reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2012, when they lost to the Kings in six games.
"It's a business but I appreciated everything Montreal has done for me. Especially (general manager) Marc (Bergevin), because he could have sent me somewhere else, I know that," Kovalchuk said. "He asked me, actually. I think Washington will be really good for me. I know a lot of guys there and I'm very excited to go there for sure. I know [Bergevin] had better offers from other teams. He was really professional and I appreciate the way he handled the situation. That says a lot about the guy.
"When I'll be a free agent it will be one of the destinations that will be in my mind for sure. "The fans here, the players, the younger players, the direction the team is going, really, I like it a lot."
Kovalchuk ranks fourth among active players in goals, behind Alex Ovechkin (700), Patrick Marleau (561) and Sidney Crosby (459).
"I talked to (Ovechkin) a lot last night," Kovalchuk said. "We're both very excited, it's the first time we'll play for the same team, usually we were battling against (each other), it's a great opportunity. I'm going to try to help any way I can."
Said Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan: "Ilya is a talented offensive player who we feel will provide us with additional depth and flexibility up front. He is a skilled forward who can make plays and contribute to our offensive game."
