In the offseason, New York Islanders President and GM Lou Lamoriello acquired the free agent and former KHL star Jan Kovar. After five years playing in the KHL, Kovar was ready to take his skills to the NHL.
In those five years playing for Metallurg Magnitogorsk Kovar put up 286 points in 285 games played. The hype was high for the Czech centerman. With the loss of John Tavares, the Islanders needed strength down the middle. Even if that meant taking a chance on a player that had never played in North America.
The Islanders and Kovar signed a single-year $2 million deal.