New York Islanders: 25 Bold Predictions For 2018-2019 Season

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UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 16: Jan Kovar #10 of the New York Islanders skates against the Philadelphia Flyers during a preseason game at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on September 16, 2018 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders shut out the Flyers 3-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

15: Jan Kovar is extended to be the 3rd line center

The New York Islanders signed the former KHL star to a one-year $2 million deal. He’s waiver exempt so I think he’ll start the year in the AHL but his play will yield him playing time over Brock Nelson by winter time.

Kovar gets called up in December or January and finishes the year with something like 22 points (8 goals, 14 assists) in 45 games which will yield him a contract to play on the third line for next season.

Something like a two-year $6 million deal ($3 million AAV) sounds fair for a third line center. The transition to the NHL should be an interesting one to watch this season for Kovar.

He’s actually looked half decent in the preseason, more like a third line center than a second line center but that’s a story for another day. Valtteri Filppula has one-and-done with the Islanders written all over him, as the 2017-2018 third line looks like it’ll struggle mightily.

Kovar will prove to be Lou Lamoriello’s best forward acquisition this year by being the only one to sign a second contract with the Islanders.