Former Islanders goaltender Wade Dubielewicz is leaving the NHL for the new Russian Continental League - formerly known as the Russian Super League.
Dubielewicz's agent Kurt Overhardt told Newsday that his client would be suiting up with AK Kazan when the season started.
While Overhardt wouldn't go into contract specifics, it's believed that Dubielewicz will earn much more than the $500,000 contract that the Islanders offered him last season.
"We did have several talks with the Islanders and unfortunately weren't able to come to terms," Overhardt told Newsday. "It was one of those opportunities where it seemed like my client couldn't refuse it."
Because goalie Joey MacDonald has a one-way deal for $500,000 this season and figures to serve as the backup for starter Rick DiPietro, the most recent Islanders offer likely included a two-way provision that would have seen Dubielewicz spend most of the season in the AHL.
"The reality of the state of international hockey is that the Russian league is very serious about continuing to grow and bolster its credibility," Overhardt stated to Newsday. "They've changed the format of their contracts. Part of the contracts are now guaranteed with respect to buyouts.
"They're going to get some quality players that otherwise would be in the NHL. They can pay them better, and it's a situation where you play fewer games and get paid more. The way the league is being structured, it's going to be much more of a common thing the next couple of years."
In 2007-08 Dubielewicz was 9-9-1 with a 2.70 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage.
