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Kovalchuk said returning to Devils

NEWARK, N.J., July 19 (UPI) -- High-scoring free agent forward Ilya Kovalchuk will re-sign with the New Jersey Devils, the team's Web site reported Monday.

An official announcement that Kovalchuk is returning will be made Tuesday at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., the official site said.

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The 27-year-old Russian sharpshooter, who has twice reached 52 goals and notched 41 goals in 76 games last season, was traded to New Jersey from Atlanta on Feb. 4 after he turned down offers from the Thrashers reportedly as high as $100 million for 12 years.

Since he became a free agent this month, the Devils and the Los Angeles Kings have been his most ardent pursuers.

Kovulchuk has 338 goals and 304 assists for 642 points in 621 regular-season games and is Atlanta's all-time leader in virtually every offensive category.

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