NEWARK, N. .J. -- New Jersey Devils leading scorer Ilya Kovalchuk will be back in the United States Tuesday and practice with the Eastern Conference champions Wednesday. Devils president and general manager Lou Lamoriello announced Kovalchuks plans Sunday, just minutes before the Devils took the ice for their first practice ahead of the lockout-shortened 2013 season. Lamoriello said he spoke with Kovalchuk and his agent, Jay Grossman, several times during the four-month lockout and that he was never concerned whether his superstar forward would return from Russia if the lockout ended, which it did on Saturday. Kovalchuk played in the KHL with SKA St. Petersburg during the lockout and was named their captain. He participated in the KHL All-Star game Sunday. While he could not give "official" permission to play in the game, Lamoriello said he was OK with it because it was something important to the player. "Im very comfortable with this situation," Lamoriello said. "There is no penalty involved. Theres no disrespect involved. Ive talked to him and I feel comfortable where were at. Were anxious to get him back here and get him in the lineup with all the rest of the people and there will be no repercussions." Lamoriello insisted that Kovalchuk was not getting preferential treatment, noting that the lockout did not end until a memorandum of understanding was signed late Saturday night. He said Kovalchuk is not in violation of his 15-year, $100 million contract signed in 2010. "This is not putting him in a different light or making him an exception," Lamoriello said. "This is extenuating circumstances as far as I am concerned." The 29-year-old Kovalchuk will face greater pressure this season with the loss of captain Zach Parise and his 31 goals to Minnesota via free agency. Second-year centre Adam Henrique also is going to miss the opening weeks of the season with a thumb injury suffered while playing for Albany of the AHL during the lockout. Kovalchuk plans to take care of family business on Tuesday after arriving, including getting his children ready for school. They have been with him in Russia. "I bottom line is I am comfortable with it," Lamoriello said of Kovalchuks late arrival, just three days before the Devils open the 48-game season at the New York Islanders on Saturday.. [url=http://www.officialmlbclub.com/Houston-Astros-J-R-Richard-Jersey.html]J. R. Richard Jersey . The Sharks centre scored twice in the second period as San Jose defeated the Calgary Flames 4-1. The 33-year-old from Aneroid, Sask., has scored 30 or more goals in four consecutive seasons and has six overall in his career. . Manager Davey Johnson said left fielder Bryce Harper would not be suspended or fined by Major League Baseball for being ejected in Sundays 6-2 win at Pittsburgh. [url=http://www.oriolesteamshop.com/Brooks-Robinson-Orioles-Jersey/]http://www.o... .S. Open final. 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Two suicide bombers killed 34 people in the southern Russian city of Volgograd in December, and officials say they are hunting three more potential attackers -- including one believed to be in Sochi. "Its definitely on my mind, Im not going to lie," Luongo said after practice on Wednesday. "I think were all a little bit concerned. Were definitely going to keep an eye on it over the next few weeks." Sedin, who is set to compete for Sweden along with his twin brother Henrik, said he was "absolutely" concerned about the news coming out of Russia, including email threats on Wednesday against a handful of European countries set to participate at the Olympics. The threats were largely dismissed as a hoax, but the concern over security in Sochi is serious. "We talk about it quite a bit. Its nothing you can really joke about," said Sedin. "Its in the back of your head for sure." Luongo, the odds on favourite to start for Canada in its first game Feb. 13 against Norway, and Sedin both said safety is the main reason their families wont be travelling to Russia. Sedin added that if family members wanted to join him and his brother, he would discourage them from making the trip. An Islamic militant group in Dagestan -- which is located about 500 kilometres from Sochi -- claimed responsibility for the bombings in Volgograd in a video posted on Sunday. The video also contained a threat to strike the Olympics. Penguins captain Sidney Crosby voiced similar concerns to those of Luongo and Sedin to reporters in Pittsburgh on Sunday. "Obviously everybody watches the news and knows that theres been things happening fairly close to there," said Crosby, who will captain the Canadian team. "From what weve been told, I think theyre going to do everything they can to make sure its safe and secure. Were going over to play and focus on that. "Its not something everyones totally worried about, but I think its hard not to think about it when things are happening kind of close to there." Luongo is not the only Canadian Olympian advising his family to stay at home. Fellow goaltender Mike Smith doesnt want concern over his young family to affect his play while in Sochi. "Me having two young kids, my wifes also expecting numbeer three, theyre not going to go. Cheap Jerseys From China. . Its not worth it," said Smith on Wednesday before his Phoenix Coyotes played the Calgary Flames. "Its not worth it for myself, thinking about is she okay whenever Im not with her. Its something thats unfortunate but thats just how it is." Toronto Maple Leafs forward James van Riemsdyk, who will suit up for the United States in Sochi, said back in December that American hockey officials told him that security will be "very tight." "I know they mentioned things about different actions they were going to take as far as making sure everythings secure," he said. "It seemed like they were on top of all that." Minnesota Wild defenceman Ryan Suter, who will also play for the Americans, said after practice Wednesday that his wife and two young children wont be travelling to Russia. The long trip is part of the reason, but Suter said recent news about terrorist threats made the decision "a little bit easier." Another American Olympian, Suters friend and Wild teammate Zach Parise, also advised his parents and relatives not to come. He said the situation is "nerve wracking, thats for sure." Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kanes parents travelled to Vancouver in 2010 to cheer for him and Team USA. He said Wednesday his mother, a sister and his girlfriend are planning to come to Russia, despite the safety concerns. "They understand whats going on," Kane said. "Its their choice to go over there, and they wanted to. Ill take the support for sure." Kane said hes not worried about security in Sochi. "You hear different things about it, so obviously youre going to think about it," he said. "But at the end of the day, what can we really do about it? Its not our job to worry about that stuff. If something happens, its completely out of our control. If youre worrying about that, then your heads in the wrong place. I think we have to be worried about going over going there and playing well as a country and a team and enjoying your time over there, too." The same goes for Kanes teammate, Jonathan Toews, a member of Team Canada. Toews said his parents and girlfriend will be in Sochi, despite "that thought in their head" about the danger. "Everyone is doing everything they can to make sure there are no dangerous situations. I think our families will be pretty close to where we are in the village so thatll be a little comfort," Toews said. "We just have to enjoy it and be confident everything will be all right." ' ' '