In 2011 he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins and in 2013 he signed a one year deal for $1 million with the Florida Panthers. During his career Kovalev was selected to the NHL All-Star Game in 2001, 2003, and 2009. He was the NHL All-Star Game MVP in 2009. Kovalev won a Stanley Cup championship with the New York Rangers in 1994. In 2008 he won The Hockey News – Saku Koivu Award for comeback player of the year. Kovalev was the first Russian player to be drafted in the first round and to have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup. Alexei retired from hockey in July 2014. He also competed internationally for Russia and won Gold medals at the 1992 Winter Olympics and the 1992 World Junior Championships.