ISLANDERS 101

Alexei Yashin is poised to make a return to the NHL according to his agent Mark Gandler.

"We already have a concrete offer from a club," he said.

So now the question is, who is that club? Of course the first rumor is going to be the New York Islanders.

However, the Islanders bought out Yashin's contract following the 2006-2007 season due to not performing up to expectations. Since that buyout, he's been on the books for $2.2 million each year since and will be for the next three years.

That is why we here at Islanders 101 don't believe Yashin will be suiting up on Long Island. They can't pay Yashin twice to under perform. If you think Yashin will come back and play up to the level of Jaromir Jagr, you are sadly mistaken.

If you look at the numbers, Jagr has always played at a much higher level than Yashin. When they were both playing overseas, Jagr's numbers continued to be much more superior.

We'll compare the 2010-2011 season for both players as they were both playing overseas. Jagr played less games than Yashin, 49 to Yashin's 52, and scored almost 20 more points in the process. Then this past season, Jagr came to the NHL and continued to play well while Yashin's productivity dropped even more.

He only scored just 20 points in 43 games for CSKA Moscow this past year.

The players the Islanders already have under contract will perform better than Yashin. Yashin wouldn't crack the top six on this roster, and Frans Nielsen is the much better option for third line center.

Yashin could return to the NHL, but it won't be with the Islanders.

Tags: Alexei Yashin, CSKA Moscow, Hockey, Jaromir Jagr, Mark Gandler, New York, New York Islanders, NHL

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