the 11th-fewest fantasy points to opposing 4s with Paul Mill

The New Jersey Devils announced on Thursday that forward Ilya Kovalchuk is retiring from the NHL. "After many conversations with Ilya over the past year on his desire to retire from the National Hockey League, Ilyas decision became official today," said general manager Lou Lamoriello in a statement. "On behalf of the entire organization, I wish Ilya and his family all the best in their future endeavors." Kovalchuk played 11 seasons in the NHL, including the last four with New Jersey. He retires with career NHL totals of 417 goals and 399 assists for 816 points with 516 penalty minutes in 816 games. He added 11 goals and 16 assists in 32 career playoff games. "At first blush, (the news) is pretty shocking," said TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie. "And then you think about it for a moment and you say no, its not that shocking at all. We knew coming out of the lockout that there were all sorts of stories saying if he could have stayed in Russia with St. Petersburg he would have done that. He basically came back as a reluctant player after the lockout was over." Kovalchuk scored 89 goals and 112 assists for 201 points in 222 games, while adding eight goals and 11 assists in 23 playoff games with the Devils. He was traded to New Jersey by Atlanta on February 4, 2010. He was Atlantas first choice, and the first overall selection in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. "This decision was something I have thought about for a long time going back to the lockout and spending the year in Russia," said Kovalchuk in a team statement. "Though I decided to return this past season, Lou was aware of my desire to go back home and have my family there with me. The most difficult thing for me is to leave the New Jersey Devils, a great organization that I have a lot of respect for, and our fans that have been great to me." He represented Russia at three Olympic Winter Games, nine World Championships, one World Junior Championship and the 2004 World Cup. "Its sad," said Washington Capitals coach Adam Oates, who spent two years as an assistant with the Devils. "Its sad for our league. Thats one of our good players, were going to miss him." Kovalchuk signed a 15-year, $100 million contract with the Devils in 2010 and leaves $77 million behind with his retirement. NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly told TSN 1050 Radio on Thursday afternoon that the cap advantage of Kovalchuks contract was roughly $4 million over the first three years of his contract (as his first two years were significantly below his average annual salary). Daly added that the Devils will have to pay it back in cap charges over the remaining 12 years of the contract (roughly $300,000 a year). "The short-term pain of losing a significant asset on the team is a long-term financial gain, even though there is a quarter of a million dollar cap hit over the next 12 years," explained McKenzie. "In the grand scheme of things, thats chump change." It was speculated but not confirmed that Kovalchuk will continue his playing career in the Kontinental Hockey League. Reports from Russian news agencies indicated he will officially sign with SKA Saint Petersburg on Friday. Kovalchuk played for SKA during the lockout and made it clear several months ago that he would stay there if he could. Cheap Old Skool Shoes China . Reassurance came from Paul Tesori, his caddie and close friend whose newborn son is in intensive care in a Florida hospital. "Paul sent me a text this morning, just told me he loved me and wanted to go out and fight as hard as I would any other day," Simpson said Sunday after doing just that. Cheap Old Skool Shoes Online . Neymar curled home a free kick from just outside the area to put the 2014 World Cup host ahead in the 44th minute. Three minutes after the break, a simple through pass from Paulinho freed Oscar and the Chelsea star rounded goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong to extend Brazils lead. http://www.oldskoolcheap.com/ . Denis Coderre, the former federal MP who was elected mayor on Nov. 3, has drawn the ire of some Montreal Canadiens. During last nights game he tweeted: "Hello? Can we get a one-way ticket to (minor-league) Hamilton for David Desharnais please. Old Skool Shoes Sale . He said Tuesday thats a big reason why he is now the new coach of the Tennessee Titans. Whisenhunt said he hit it off quickly with Ruston Webster when interviewing for the job Friday night. Vans Old Skool Wholesale China . Louis Blues. Shane Hnidy joins Brian Munz for the broadcast on TSN 1290 Radio at 7pm ct. There are 10 games on Wednesdays NBA slate. Heres a look at the players our daily fantasy experts are looking to build around and others they are going to avoid.Players to build aroundJoe Kaiser -- DeMar DeRozan, Toronto RaptorsDeRozan comes in over $3,000 cheaper than James Harden on both DraftKings and FanDuel, despite an optimal matchup against a Washington defense that ranks 29th in the league in defensive efficiency (110.1 points allowed per 100 possessions). Only Houston is worse so far this season. DeRozan has scored at least 32 points in all three games this season, and 40 is certainly within range Wednesday.Al Zeidenfeld -- Carmelo Anthony, New York KnicksThe Rockets are running the fantasy gold mine otherwise known as the DAntoni offense (and subsequently his defense as well). This game projects to be close and competitive. Carmelo has been consistent, scoring over 30 DraftKings points in each of his games so far this season and averaging 33.4 per contest. This looks like a realistic spot for him to top 40 fantasy points and at the extremely reasonable price point he sits, he should be a lock for head to head games.Jim McCormick -- Marc Gasol, Memphis GrizzliesThe surprising uptick in 3-point production is fun to consider, but Im just as intrigued by Gasols upside on the glass against a Pelicans team with a rebounding rate of just 44.9 percent so far (29th in the league). With a bankable outcome pattern (more than 30 fantasy points in each start this season) and likely to be fresh after resting Tuesday night against Minnesota, Gasol is a savvy building block given the combination of steady usage and reasonable pricing.Kyle Soppe -- Dwight Howard, Atlanta HawksYeah, yeah, yeah. I know youve been burned by Howard before, but that is why you play DFS ... what happened in the past doesnt matter tonight. Both the Lakers and Hawks rank in the top 10 in terms of pace of play in the early going this season, and with more possessions come more missed shots. The Hawks have the fourth-best rebound differential this season, while the Lakers have been outrebounded by opponents, giving Howard a nice double-double floor. Can you pass on #NarrativeStreet? The stats say no and Im looking for a vintage Superman performance.Players to fadeJoe Kaiser -- Blake Griffin, Los Angeles ClippersGriffin has played very well in the early goinng, but that has caused his salary to rise and hell have a difficult time reaching his salary value against an Oklahoma City defense thats playing as well as just about anybody through the first three games (albeit against lower-tier opponents).dddddddddddd With Griffin needing around 25 points,10 rebounds and 3 assists to be worth his price tag on Wednesday, Im looking elsewhere for a better value.Al Zeidenfeld -- DAngelo Russell, Los Angeles LakersLate last season he may have had ice in his veins, but at the start of this season, DAR has just been cold. Shooting only 33.3 percent on the season and his minutes fluctuating from game to game, Russell is not someone I want to have exposure to this evening. Hell turn it around at some point and will be a great buy-low candidate in Daily Fantasy, but today is not that day.Jim McCormick -- Julius Randle, Los Angeles LakersRandles minutes (27.1 per game) arent so impressive given his relatively demanding price point, as we essentially require a double-double from him in order to meet cost. Its an early sample, but the Hawks are allowing the 11th-fewest fantasy points to opposing 4s with Paul Millsaps stout defensive presence. Id much rather pay down for guys like Tobias Harris and even Taj Gibson at power forward, as both offer similar production potential at a discount from Randle.Kyle Soppe -- Jeremy Lin, Brooklyn NetsBy averaging 16.3 points, 6.5 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game thus far, Lin has been a useful fantasy asset and a nice DFS value through four games, but that ends against the Pistons. Detroit ranks as an above-average defense in limiting fantasy production to point guards, thanks in large part to them ranking as the seventh-slowest-paced offense and the fourth-most-efficient defense this season. There will be plenty of nights when being the only man in town will inflate Lins stock, but he is priced as a top 15 PG in most places and simply isnt worth it.Al Zeidenfeld is a promoter and user at DraftKings (Username: Al_Smizzle) and plays on his personal account in games he offers advice on. These views/strategies are his own and do not reflect the views of DraftKings. He may also deploy different players/strategies than what he advises. ' ' '