Former New York Islanders player Alexei Yashin in talks with team for comeback –NHL News Update
New York Islanders might have bought out Alexei Yashin’s contract nearly four years ago during the 2006-2007 season, but are now back in the negotiation process with the veteran centre for a comeback into the National Hockey League (NHL).
The feelings might be mutual between the Islanders management and Yashin, because both have expressed their desire to work together for the franchises betterment, but as of yet, nothing is certain.
"Teams make decisions. Players make decisions", Yashin said about the number of rumors floating around throughout the league. "Now maybe they're looking for a different approach. It might happen, but it might not happen. I can't really prepare for what might
be ahead".
Yashin, a second overall pick during round-two of the 1992 NHL Entry Draft by Ottawa Senators, has not been in the American league for four years now. Since New York bought out his contract, the Sverdlovsk, Russia national continued his hockey career with
Russian leagues, including Lokomotiv Yaroslavl and Ska St. Petersburg in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
Looking at the buying out situation Islanders were faced with, they had to pay him $4.75 million last season and must continue to do so through the next up until the 2014-2015 season. It would be better to pay him that amount and at the same time, keep him
as a player on the team.
Most analysts are of the view that the soon to be 38-year-old might not have that ability left in him like he once did.
In nearly 11 seasons he spent in the NHL, Yashin appeared in 850 major league games and contributed 781 points (337 goals, 444 assists) in total.
Nevertheless, according to Yashin, he’s still got it. Referring to players like Mark Recchi and Nicklas Lidstrom who are above 40 now, he believes that there is not a limit to what age you can play till, the condition being if you are healthy.
"If you're talking about age, I think it's more important that it's the right situation and the right environment so you can perform", Yashin said. "I feel confident about myself”.
Further developments on the negotiation process between Yashin and New York Islanders are expected in the upcoming weeks, in which the hockey world could witness one big comeback.
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