On his contact with the Avalanche:
“We are always in touch with them. They called me, but I am of the opinion that we need to get stronger and spend the season even better. Only then it will be possible to think about the NHL.
Yes (I watch them), and not only for them. I generally watch the NHL: I watched both the games and the highlights.”
So yes, he’s noncommittal on joining the Avalanche, but I would have been surprised if he said anything else.
It should also be noted that his dad, Andrei Kovalenko, spoke in a separate interview, and was asked about Nikolai’s plans…
"Yes, thanks to the trust of the coaching staff of Igor Larionov, Kovalenko succeeded in the last season in Nizhny Novgorod – both in the regular season and in the playoffs. But we spoke with Nikolai, and he agreed with me that even an average hockey player can give out one strong season.
Only stability distinguishes the middle peasant from the great master. Therefore, in the upcoming season, Nikolai is obliged to play at least as well – and take this step towards the master. He sets himself up to solve this problem.
I know that from the “Colorado” there is a steady interest. Moreover, the NHL season was not entirely successful for this club, while Nikolai, along with Torpedo, grew well.
But when to leave for the NHL is up to Nikolai to decide next summer, when his contract with Nizhny is terminated. He deliberately chose the KHL and so far proves that he is right. Although there are other examples – the same long-term partner of his son in Lokomotiv and the youth team, Grigory Denisenko, who has been making his way through the AHL to Florida for several seasons. Until everything works out."
Not terribly different from what was said months ago. They continue to point out Denisenko as an example of why they don’t have any interest in the AHL.