While the New York Islanders are talking to Alexei Yashin about returning to the NHL, the former Islander is in no hurry to make his decision.
According to Newsday, Yashin is weighing all his options, including resuming his career in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League, before deciding where he will play next season.
"The thing is, I'm an unrestricted free agent," Yashin told Newsday. "I'll look at all situations. We'll see what is the right decision for me."
Yashin was drafted second overall by the Ottawa Senators in 1992 and then traded to the Islanders in 2001 for a package that included Jason Spezza and Zdeno Chara. Later that season, Yashin signed a 10-year, $87.5-million contract but the team bought out the last four years of the contract in 2007 and paid Yashin more than $17 million.
Yashin's agent Mark Gandler says the Islanders are the only NHL team to show interest in his client thus far but a number of KHL teams have inquired about his services as well.
The 37-year-old centre does not think his age would be a major factor if he were to return to the NHL.
"There are lots of guys my age still playing. Look at (43-year-old) Mark Recchi. He's probably one of the reasons they won the Cup," Yashin told Newsday. "I just want to prepare to be in the best shape possible physically and mentally."
The Islanders open the season at home against the Florida Panthers on October 8th.
