According to Newsday, the New York Islanders are considering bringing back former, enigmatic captain Alexei Yashin. In a summer that has seen virtually no Islanders moves, and rightfully so – with a historic arena vote looming – the Islanders drop an absolute bomb that has been met with both criticism and excitement.
The 36 year old, former Islanders captain, has played overseas in his native Russia ever since the Islanders decided to buy out his contract in the summer of 2007. The talented player has not seen a return to the NHL for his services, even though he has put up amicable numbers for both Ska St. Petersburgh and Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the rival Kontinental Hockey League.
One has to wonder why the Islanders feel that a reunion with Yashin, who will make 2.2 million annually from the Islanders on the buyout for three more years, makes much sense at this juncture? Even though many top free agents refuse to sign with the Islanders due to the instability beyond the players on the ice, this cannot be the most fashionable way to make a headline as the Islanders put all cards on deck for the paramount August 1st vote. Can it?
Chris Botta, editor and founder of Islanders Point Blank blog, agrees. “No matter what the Islanders are trying to pull, I do not understand how Garth Snow can go on the record – with so much on the line in the final days before the Aug. 1 referendum on the future of the franchise – and confirm he has had discussions about bringing Alexei Yashin back to the team.”
This has become a time of no-nonsense business for the Islanders, who will hold a rally at Nassau Coliseum next Wednesday in anticipation of the vote. With positive momentum building in the “Vote Yes” campaign, the Islanders are walking a very thin line with an -already- fragile fanbase.
Nobody will criticize the Islanders for trying to lure the very best players every offseason to no avail. However, there comes a time when no news becomes the very best news. Fans have accepted the hard sales pitch, and the faulty foundation that most top players steer clear of, and most understand the need to get creative to reach the NHL mandated cap floor. As all fans march full steam ahead to August 1st, it might be best for both Charles Wang and Garth Snow to do the same.
In this instance here, the quiet before the storm is all that is needed. Not a move for the sake of a move, and not a headline grabber for the sake of a headline grabber. And for Garth Snow and Charles Wang, certainly not Alexei Yashin.
–M. Manzo
thedrivefor5 