The SBP Archives - Your less than frequent dose of SBP!

Time sure does fly. Hard to believe Alexei Yashin played in the NHL for about a dozen seasons. It didn't take long before he became the most hated man in Ottawa. Funny how signing a contract and not keeping your end of the bargain can tarnish your reputation and lose most respect amongst fans and your peers.

Still, perhaps I should feel a little bad for Yashin. His agent, Mark Gandler, certainly had his ear. I really don't think Gandler properly explained to him how he would be received by the hockey world the moment he would try to walk away from a signed contract.

When the NY Islanders bought out the rest of his 10 year deal (which had 4 years left) he claimed to be surprised by the low-ball offers he was receiving. I think this is the final proof he has no heart and cares only for the cash to play hockey. He got $17 million to leave a team, he could sign incentive-based contract to prove he's not just dollars and cents and try to restore his reputation. But instead, he opted to sign a contract to play in Russia, which does not have an out clause to return to the NHL.

He won't be missed, just like the Islanders didn't miss his zero points in five playoff games this past Spring. Then again, what would normally be an unexciting Islanders-Senators contest became much more lively each time Yashin touched the puck. The boos were non-stop every time he'd visit.

I'll miss that.