Alex Kovalev in line for head coaching position

Arguably one of the best stick-handlers in the history of the NHL may soon find himself in the position of head coach. Reports Friday state Alex Kovalev, who played more than 1300 career games in the NHL over the course of 20 seasons, is in line to become the new head coach of Kunlan Red Star, a Chinese-based team playing in the Russian-based KHL.

Kovalev has served as an assistant coach with Kunlan for the last two years. The team's current head coach is Curt Fraser, a former NHLer in his own right. He recently expressed his intention to step down as bench boss and it looks like the team is prepared to name Kovalev as his replacement.

Kunlan has missed the KHL playoffs the last three seasons and currently finds itself struggling with budget cuts. Usually based in Beijing, the team has announced its intention to play out of Mytishchi, a suburb of Moscow, in the upcoming KHL season due to COVID-19 travel restrictions and complications. Gilbert Brule, Spencer Foo, Jake Chelios and Brandon Yip are the team's best players that are currently under contract for next season.

The KHL opened training camps in preparation for the 2020-21 season this week and intends to start playing games, as it usually does, in August.

In an interview in May of this year with La Presse, Kovalev indicated that he loved coaching and stated that he'd be thrilled to do it in the NHL some day. Being named head coach of a KHL team would certainly increase his chances of reaching that goal, should the team be successful.

Kovalev played for the New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers throughout his NHL career. His best season was with the Pens in 1999-00 when he put up 44 goals and 91 points in 79 games.

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