The agent for Alexei Yashin says talks between his client and the New York Islanders are continuing.
According to the New York Post, the Islanders have engaged in negotiations to bring the 37-year-old center back to the franchise.
Yashin has been working out at the Islanders' training facility in Syosset, N.Y.
Yashin's agent, Mark Gandler confirmed to the Post on Monday that there was no news to report regarding the possibility of Yashin rejoining the Islanders, but that both sides remain interested. The story of Yashin's possible return to the NHL initially was reported in Friday's edition of Newsday
According to Newsday's Katie Strang, however, a final decision doesn't appear to be imminent. Yashin said he's in no rush to make a decision.
"The thing is, I'm an unrestricted free agent," Yashin told Strang. "I'll look at all situations. We'll see what is the right decision for me."
After the Islanders lost to the Buffalo Sabres in the first round of the 2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Islanders bought out the remaining four years of Yashin's contract. That buyout will cost the Islanders $2.204 million in cap space annually through 2014-15, and would remain if Yashin signs a new deal with the club. He originally signed a 10-year, $87.5 million contract with the Islanders in 2001.
Former Islanders GM Mike Milbury acquired Yashin from the Ottawa Senators during the 2001 Entry Draft for defenseman Zdeno Chara, forward Bill Muckalt and the second pick of the 2001 draft, which the Senators used to select Jason Spezza.
In 346 games with the Isles, Yashin had 119 goals and 171 assists, and spent the final two of his five seasons with the Islanders as team captain. The team made the playoffs four times in his tenure with the club, and in 22 games he had 5 goals and 7 assists.
Yashin's KHL contract with St. Petersburg is not being renewed for the upcoming season. However, Gandler insists several KHL teams remain interested in Yashin's services.
In 12 NHL seasons with the Senators and Islanders (1993-2007), Yashin had 781 points in 850 regular-season games, and 27 points in 48 playoff games.
Since being bought out by the Islanders, he's played the last four seasons in Russia. He had 15 goals in 52 games last season with SKA St. Petersburg, and in the last four seasons he had 70 goals and 187 points in 220 games in the KHL.