The New York
Islanders announced today that forward Jan Kovar has agreed to terms on a
one-year, $2M contract.
Kovar was an
over, point-per-game player (97 and 189 for 286 pts.) in the KHL for Magnitogorsk Metallurg over 285 games. The 28-year-old
forward matched career years with 68
point totals in the 2013-14 (54 games played) and 2014-15 season (60 games
played). Kovar also played 236 games in his native Czech Extraliga.for Plzen
HC, scoring 60 and 102 for 162 points, with almost a point-a-game pace (51 pts
in 52 gp) in the 11-12 & 12-13 seasons.
Per release, “Kovar
has represented Czech Republic internationally at five World Championships (2017,
2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013), scoring 19 points (six goals and 13 assists) in 42
games. In 2008, he played on the World Junior Championship team for Czech
Republic and scored over a point per game with eight (one goal and seven
assists) in five games.”
Per Eric
Hornick, “So newest #Isles
Jan Kovar essentially trades places Kulemin; Ex-NYI Viktor Kozlov is part of
coach staff of Metallurg, whose previous coaches include Mike Keenan. Kovar is
a 4x 20+ goal scorer in KHL (& team's leading pt scorer under Keenan in
14-15); he was 7-28-35 last ssn.”
Sounds like a
calculated gamble that could pay big dividends for the team and Kovar gets a
year to prove he belongs in the NHL as a top point producer. Rumors have Kovar turning down several other teams to play for Islanders.
The Islanders also came to terms on a four-year, one-way, $1M AAV contract for F Ross Johnston.
The popular Johnston,
24, had 3 & 3 for 6pts in 24 games with the Isles last season after he was
brought up from the AHL Sound Tigers to add some much-needed grit to the team. Johnston
tallied 3 & 8 for 11 points in 38 games while in Bridgeport last season.
Per release, “Johnston
played in the NHL, AHL and ECHL during his first professional season in
2015-16, making his NHL debut on April 10 against the Philadelphia Flyers. In 141
career AHL games with the Sound Tigers, Johnston has 30 points (12 goals, 18
assists) and collected 327 penalty minutes. He has appeared in 13 ECHL
regular-season games and five playoff games with the Missouri Mavericks during
the 2015-16 season.”
From Part 1 of
my season in review, I mentioned, “Enforcer and energy player call up, Ross
Johnston may have secured a serious look for himself in camp this summer.
Johnston made a physical impact from day 1 and even added a touch of offensive
flair with 6 points in 24 games. Johnston answered the lack of toughness for
the team this season and racked up 62 pims.” Looks like his character got him a
long term, 4-year-deal with New York. Another surprise, but one thing is for
sure, the Islanders will be tough to play against.
The
organization made some big moves on the farm today as well.
Per Michael
Fornabaio, “Huge free-agency splash for the Sound Tigers, who announce they've signed LW Chris Bourque and G Jeremy Smith, re-signing C's Ben Holmstrom and Connor
Jones and LW Ryan Bourque.”
Per Alan
Fuehring, “The #SoundTigers
inked 5 players today, including former Olympian @cbourque17: 3x Calder Cup winner, 6x
#AHLAllStar, 2x #AHL scoring champion, @TheAHL's active scoring leader, plus a
regular season & post-season MVP.”
KnightofCups.net
will now bring you to KoC on Blogspot. Thanks again for the support.
Isles Notes:
Per Andrew
Gross, “Believe goalie guru Mitch Korn is close to re-joining Barry Trotz with #Isles, no announcements
as of yet.”
NHL Notes:
Luke Richardson
joins Montreal Candiens as Assistant Coach.
The Edmonton #Oilers have re-signed
forward Ryan Strome to a 2-year deal worth $6.2 million.
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