What happens if Kovalchuk wants back?

For the next few years, he needs unanimous consent from every team in the league (you can bet your *** that the Devils won't consent), so it won't happen in just 2 or 3 years.

However, once he turns 35, the rules change. As part of the package of special rules for over-35 players (a set of rules ironically built up and changed because of Kovy's contract), he would be able to come out of retirement without penalty and, as his current contract is now voided, he would be a UFA.

So it's an "out", but not an especially useful one. Kovalchuk turns 35 in 2018, but a younger player would just be killing their career in the NHL by using such an out.

That out has always been there. He will be back. Give it 2 years and it won't be with the Devils.

he won't want back unless they pay him $2000000000000. In all seriousness he'll probably come back when he's 35 (when the consent rule changes) and he'll do the whole "coming out of retirement", big comeback bs

First of all, if he wanted to come back, every team, all 30 of them, would have to vote in favor of letting him back in.

If that happened, he would become a free agent since the original contract that he signed is considered null and void.

i don't think he will come back