Isnt there a loophole where he can play for the Devils without sitting out a full year? "A player who rethinks his retirement only needs to wait a year before signing a new deal and returning to action. And since Kovalchuk signed his retirement papers on July 11, 2013, more than 18 months ago, it appears as though he could sign a new contract with the Devils, his previous NHL team, and be eligible for immediate reinstatement"