Dumped by Islanders, KHL star surfaces with another NHL team

It was looking like more and more like an inevitable parting and it finally happened last week when the New York Islanders placed veteran forward Jan Kovar on unconditional waivers. The 28-year-old player was placed on unconditional waivers in order for the Isles to terminate his contract and moved on from his time in New York.

The KHL veteran did not report to Bridgeport after the Islanders cut him during training camp and assigned him to their American Hockey League . H was reportedly “figuring out” his next move when the Islanders made the decision for him: his next move in his hockey career with not take place in New York.

However, on Thursday it was revealed that Kovar appears to be making a questionable career move as he signed a professional tryout contract with another team. According to Mark Divver of the Providence Journal, the Providence Bruins have signed Kovar to a PTO. In the AHL, this type of contract is limited to 25 games.

F Jan Kovar signs PTO with @AHLBruins. On ice for today's practice
— Mark Divver (@MarkDivver) October 18, 2018

Divver added that Kovar was present at practice with the Bruins' farm club. He could be looking to continue his path to an NHL career and get some attention from the Bruins themselves or any other NHL scout that could be tempted to offer him a contract in the big league later on. The veteran has always noted his need to get acquainted with the size and speed of the game in America, and this move seems to be driven by his desire for improvement.

His agent Allan Walsh confirmed Kovar would play and will reevaluate his options in the NHL afterwards.

Center Jan Kovar has signed a PTO with the Providence Bruins (AHL). He’s going to PLAY games and we will evaluate his NHL options in approx 3 weeks.
— Allan Walsh (@walsha) October 18, 2018

Kovar barely saw any action during exhibition games and the preseason schedule with the Islanders, didn't make the roster, and previously said he would take some time getting used to North American ice. This might the reason why he is settling for an AHL contract instead of going back in the KHL.

Kovar agreed to a one-year, $2 million deal with the Islanders this summer — apparently selecting the Islanders over different other offers from a few NHL teams. When he was sent down to the AHL, Kovar did not need to clear waivers, however, he pulled a sneaky move himself and refused to report to Bridgeport.

Once he cleared waivers, many expected Kovar to find work with a team back in Europe. However, it's a new start in Providence.