SOURCES: TRADE TALK INCREASING
As many as 8-10 Islanders attracting interest
According to two high-ranking NHL team officials, the phone lines in Garth Snow’s office at the Coliseum have significantly heated up this week as Wednesday’s NHL trade deadline nears.
Although it is quite possible the team has already made its biggest deal, the Islanders are a popular hot spot for teams looking to beef up for the playoff push. While Chris Campoli was traded to Ottawa for a first round pick and Doug Weight is injured, one source said that more than 20 teams have spoken with the Islanders to see who else is available - and at what cost.
As many as 8-10 Islanders are both available and garnering some level of interest. With so many teams still in the playoff hunt, Snow’s jammed phone lines are the result of only 5 or 6 teams being true “sellers.”
Teams are inquiring about captain Bill Guerin, who leads the Islanders with 16 goals. The 38-year old right wing has a no-move clause, so Guerin will have the ultimate say in his fate. This is traditionally the time when players with no-move or no-trade clauses meet with their clubs to broker an understanding. For example, Brian Burke recently talked it over with Toronto NTCers Pavel Kubina and Tomas Kaberle.
Guerin had made no secret throughout the first half of this season that his wish was to remain an Islander beyond this season. A set Guerin plan - will he stay, or is he open to going to a few hand-picked teams? - should be finalized by the weekend.
Brendan Witt, for the right price, is available. There is major interest in the hard-hitting, shot-blocking defenseman. The key is whether other teams can entice the Islanders with enough to part with the 34-year old, who has two additional seasons on his contract. We discussed two Witt trade scenarios here.
Radek Martinek is respected throughout the NHL as one of the game’s most underrated defensemen. Now healthy, he could immediately step into the lineup of a contending team and provide 20 minutes of better-than-steady play. He’s 32 years old and under contract for the next two seasons at a very reasonable cap hit of $1.5 million, below the league average. Martinek has also been injured in four of the last five seasons. If any contenders want to make a push for the present, the Islanders are listening.
Recently-acquired Dean McAmmond could be on the move again. Picked up in the Campoli deal with Ottawa, McAmmond is an experienced and still-speedy center who can check and win faceoffs. He’s 35 years old and is an unrestricted free agent. If the Islanders are offered a third or fourth round pick, how could they say no?
Despite Doug Weight’s knee injury, do not rule out a trade. One scenario for a Weight deal could involve a conditional draft pick. For example, the Islanders could move the 38-year old center for a third round pick that would grow higher based on playoff series victories by his new team.
Although he has 8 goals in limited icetime, Jon Sim has already cleared waivers this season. There will most likely not be much of a market for his services. Jeff Tambellini has not been put through waivers, but has just 2 goals in 43 games and is on a way-deal for next season. Joey MacDonald or Yann Danis could attract interest from teams looking for goaltending depth, but would not bring much in return.
Veteran Islanders that are significant longshots to be dealt but could be had if teams want to over-pay in a trade: Trent Hunter and Richard Park.
And, finally, contrary to what the managing editor of Point Blank said on XM Radio last night, Andy Hilbert is not going to be a restricted free agent. He is a pending unrestricted free agent. As much as he may fit in, Hilbert has to be available. If the Islanders love the versatile forward so much, they can always prove it to him all over again on July 1.
Comments. If a player is not mentioned, that’s because he is likely either unavailable, injured, attracting little interest or at best might bring back a 6th-round pick.
163 Responses to “SOURCES: TRADE TALK INCREASING
As many as 8-10 Islanders attracting interest”
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I did not know that Martinek’s contract was so cap friendly. He should be in demand at the deadline and I think the Islanders should move him. He is right there at age 32 as not too old to trade for, but too old for a rebuild imo
Isn’t this “interest” just natural at this time of the year? Teams that are out of the playoffs will be approached by GMs from teams that have playoff aspirations, and multi-player deals will be thrown around. I hope that Garth can work some magic and get 2 of the Top 5 picks in the 1st round. Now THAT would be awesome for the future!
Any Isle trade is a risk since no one knows which players will fit in with the Gordon system.
Trade them all!
Whitney traded by Pens to Ducks for Kunitz… I know it isn’t Islanders news, but pretty good move for Pens if Kunitz clicks with Crosby..
Jon Sim will not leave.
I wanted Whitney, though there was zero shot of him moving within the division (not that we had anything to offer).
Any chance Sim is exposed to waivers again just to dump him elsewhere?
How about this one
Witt and NYI 2nd
to
MTL for Higgins and MTL 2nd
Higgins is an RFA and I would think the Isles will send out feelers in July. If they are going go hard after Komi in the offseason (which I hope they do) I don’t know if there is a use for Witt. Komi is the same type of player, just younger. Also, with Sutton coming back next year and Gordon’s uptempo system, can they really use 3 slow footed “physical” d-men??
Sounds like its gonna be an exciting week.
Gordon didn’t learn hockey from some shaolin monks in the mountains, he just plays an agressive forecheck. If you can skate, you can play. Like the man said, he didn’t re-invent the wheel. Trade the forwards, we have a bunch of young kids that need some seasoning, but I am worried about Ricky’s health if we trade all our experienced D. Youngsters get running around, he leaves the net, loses a leg, and we are back here next year hoping for the top pick.
Terry-LMAOF!!!
I love this time of year! It’s the start of the annual migration of the “North American NHL GM”. I saw this on Nova last night.
Each year, NHL GM’s flock to Uniondale and converge on the dead Islander carcass. It’s feast. NHL GM’s gouge themselves for typically 7-10 days, it’s an invaluable source of energy for the NHL GM for the upcoming playoff season.
I love nature.
Think I saw that on Discovery Channel last week
No offense cgs878… but why would a team not making the playoffs and looking at a lottery spot want to deal for any or all of the guys mentioned in this article. The Isles will be lucky to get another pick in the 20-30… and more realistically get picks in the 38-75 range. If the Isles want to get creative great… like a first rounder in 2010 but what team is going to offer up that on rental that isn’t the same quality say as Hossa last year. Anyways the rebuild must go on and look forward to seeing what the team looks like March 4 after the deadline hour.
Really wanted Whitney…I don’t see Kunitz as being a better right now player for the Pens than the combo of Guerin and Tambellini. The pens got tangradi too…Would have liked to bring Kunitz or Whitney here…
should be a very interesting next 6 days!!
cb or anyone else out there-who do you think can bring back more value, witt or martinek?
im leaning towards witt since he is the type of warrior that bodes well for the grueling playoffs, but then again martinek is cheaper and brings a more all around game- any thougths out there?
I personally think my boy Witt will bring the most back. Wouldnt mind everyone listed being available. We must start anew. Just bring back some players please, not only draft picks.
Maybe you trade Witt and Marty as a package. They are usually paired together. Could they be worth more together than as separate pieces?
If Foote got a #1 last year, I think Witt may. More likely a 2. Martinek is a #3 to me.
Question for anyone - Does the trade deadline also end waiver deals?
I am expecting maybe 2-3 trades….but time will tell, it should be interesting to see who is left standing after March 4th.
May be in the minority here but I would like to see Guerin stick around and signed to a 1 year deal past this season, even if this means turning down a 1st round pick. Go ahead, tear me apart. I just think his leadership as captain is more valuable to the young guys. He likes playing here and has been a first rate addition.
No way Pens were trading Whitney in the division…if they were willing then Sather would’ve given anything to get him.
Any team can use a Ryan Whitney but Rag$ REALLY need that type of player.
Being that Martinek is 32, let’s move him; He’s never gonna be what we need in the time that we need him. I’d like to see Guerin Stay but I’m sure that’ll mean that Weight will stay also. I’m all for getting rid of Witt and see if anyone wants Sutton; Good Riddance to Jon Sim; I never knew why we wanted him when we already at the time had so many other checkers on our roster. Hilbert doesn’t show me anything that Bergenheim and Park cannot do. Please take Tambellini, someone, anyone!!
GET AS MUCH AS YOU CAN FOR ALL THE PLAYERS THAT WONT BE BACK NEXT YEAR OR DONT FIT THE SYSTEM
My favorite time of year. By trading all these players (or many of them) Snow will have a pretty clean canvas to build a team. The biggest holes would be on defense, which is an area that needed retooling anyway. Also, leaves some spots open at forward to add grit and scoring ability.
Islanders will be 8.2 mil under the cap at the end of the year. Move Guerin, Weight, Witt and with Silly out there would be 13.7 mil additional. So, Snow would also have 22 mil to spend to the cap to purchase…..Islanders are in good shape. Better then the fans think..
Sort of mixing this entry with the other day’s thread, the only way I would move Trent Hunter would be part of a package for Higgins, or a similar player - young, but ready now, and you essentially know what you’re getting. Tough to part with Hunter, imo, but Higgins is probably an upgraded version.
Unless you’re getting a first rounder, legit prospect(Luca Sbisa), or young NHLer with upside (Joffrey Lupul), I do not trade Martinek. He is a proven d-man and as I’ve been saying all along, one of the most under-rated in the league. Put Marty on San Jose, Detroit, Boston and you immediately bolster their shutdown pair. I say if they want to get their D better, they pay for it.
BTW, Marty has already had his annual injury, so he should be good till next season.
If a GM is stupid enough to offer a 1st for Guerin you take it!!!!! Getting him to waive his NTC is another story. Nobody will offer a 1st for Guerin. Have you watched him play? He is brutal….
As long as none of the Islanders trades turn into the type of capt. canada blubberfest from the past, it’ll all be good.
CB, how many times are you going to beat yourself up for one tiny on-air error? Three seems quite enough.
Love Martinek, but he is made of glass, trade him before he hurts himself again.
No team is interested in picking up a franchise goalie that is under contract for the reasonable cap hit of $4.5M per year for the next 300 years?
let’s get marty’s bags packed for that second rounder. We should try to acquire every single pick in the 2nd round!
Sorry Beatle, but a single second rounder for Marty is an ABSOLUTE WASTE.
in regards to Cruicky (28) - there is no way we are going to add that much salary in the offseason to get to the cap minimum. The team NEEDS to keep some of this year’s vets around. If they don’t you are going to have to throw big $$$ at low level FA’s and Wang will NOT do that. I see Witt, Guerin, and Weight back next year.
What’s more valuable???
1. Guerin for a 2nd Rounder
or
2. Guerin resigned @ 3m for next year to captain a young Isles team
If they clear out the vets then they must spend at least 12 to 13 mil to stay above the cap floor. They will be in a very positive position.
2nd rounder. We can pick up another old stiff to provide leadership. They are a dime a dozen
#37 I agree. Thge isles will probably sign a few FA’s some lower tier guys to fill in. But not enough to make up 13-15 million bucks. I expect a similar roster as this year plus Tavares, plus a couple of decent vets looking to play of the string of there career.
Who’s the consensus #1 in June 2010? I LOVE rebuilds. Thankfully I root for the Islanders, they give me one every 3 years.
Vaananen on waivers - hey why not?
Lenny (33) - My thoughts EXACTLY
Giaco…I’ll take the second rounder, personally. I’m just not impressed with Guerin’s game at all, and I know a lot has to do with the team, but his production is easily replaced on the second-tier FA market, imo. Leadership? I’m sure there’ll be plenty of those available as well, and Streit also has leadership experience…Guerin’s a good guy, and seems like a decent leader from my vantage point, but I’m sure he’s not exactly George Washington out there either, and completely irreplaceable.
Why would anyone trade Martinek for a 3rd round pick???
Everyone is aware that there is a next season right? Next season requires a roster that can play hockey.
Cue music–”It’s the most wonderful time of the year. . . .”
The only teams who are truly out of it are the bottom 5 in the East. Every team in the west is within striking distance of a playoff spot. Lots of competition seeking to add that player who is a perfect fit. There may be some crazy offers if Garth plays this right.
42- you say why not I say why?
i’ll pass. I rather see Callahan play.
Martinek better be a goner. He CAN be a steady-eddy on D. When he’s not injured. Since he’s not injured that means he WILL get injured shortly. Trade him, he can drive up the medical costs of some other team.
I like having Guerin around to keep the kids in check, but if we could get a 2nd rounder and package that to move up in the draft you have to do it
If Mattheiu Schneider (sp?) got a 2nd rd this year and a 3rd rd next year return there is no reason we cant get a number 1 for witt (younger/better)…IMO
Terry (#10) - Thank you! Some fans seem to think Gordon is playing so kind of exotic system that only a handful of players can play in. I’d guess that 60-70% of the league plays the same system or a variation of it. The only players that can’t play in it are guys with a very low hockey IQ.
Joey303 (#21):
Any player who joins a team after the trading deadline is ineligible for the playoffs.
I’m sure that if the Islanders traded DP, they could get a 1st round pick in the upcoming draft.
Break it up, Garth!
How about trying to undo one of the worst trades and try and land Spezza, probably cant do directly with the Sens but maybe work out a 3 team deal
Giaco (50): Difference between Witt and Schneider is that Schneider has offensive upside that Witt, recent forays on the PP notwithstanding, just doesn’t have. Schneider’s not as good a shut-down defenseman, but he can still chew up big minutes on the second pairing, playing sound positional hockey.
The biggest similarity is that they’re both best in a second-pairing role, Schneider so he doesn’t have to carry an offensive burden and freeing up Witt to play with an edge, something he hasn’t really been able to do since Poti left in ‘07.
Martinek peaked his rookie season — if you can get anything relevant for him, you do it and don’t look back. Ditto Vukota’s thoughts on Guerin .. convince someone he’s that playoff-tested vet who can still score. They’ll see he barely breaks a sweat and cannot hit the net (I cannot attest to his leadership, but we can find an alternative)
Based upon some of the trade “proposals” thrown around here, I guess it is never too early in the day to start hitting the sauce. As Islanders fans, I suppose that can’t hurt, but a little dose of realism mixed in might not be a bad idea, either. (Seriously, another top 5 1st rounder? Sure. Now pass the bottle.)
Whitney trade makes me wonder what’s up with him, given Howie/Billy saying he was out last night for “personal reasons” and that he would be out for “several days”. Just a way of hiding the trade for a few hours, or something that brought upon the trade?
Wife and I are making our sort-of-annual trip down to LI for next weekend’s games. Maybe I should have checked into when the trade deadline was before I got those particular tickets, ’cause it sounds like I might need to buy a program by then.
“Based upon some of the trade “proposals” thrown around here, I guess it is never too early in the day to start hitting the sauce”
LOL!!!!!!! Very funny stuff marc
Marc (58), Someone on XM radio last night said that the personal reasons had to do with a health issue regarding his Mother. Could have been a smoke screen
re: Martinek: I just don’t see the point of trading a cap-friendly, long-term signed D-man when it’s our biggest whole (having already traded Campoli and maybe Witt) for a likely late 3rd round pick.
Late 3rd round is a real crap shoot and likely producing nothing that helps the team (if at all) for maybe 4 or 5 years.
Someone has to play defense on this team next year! Are we going to find someone to play next year off the aging and ancient, low-end UFA scrap heap that will be as effective for the same $$s?
If he’s part of a bigger deal that gets back an actual body that could play or prospect with upside and potential, that’s different.
But this insanity of trading away all our actual NHL-calibre defenseman for draft picks is ridiculous…
On the league’s worst defense, we want to take its three of its four best Dmen and send them all off for a 1st, a 2nd & a 3rd pick? How much ’stockpiling’ do we need to do?
Am I the only one that thinks that’s crazy?
I’ll take 50 games of Martinek for two more years over a 3rd round pick that we’d be lucky to see out of Bridgeport in the next 4 years, if at all…
They are not trading Witt for a 3rd pick
JKP I’m right there with you…I can see maybe letting Witt go, but after that I think it would be nuts to trade Marty for a middle of the draft pick
I do not want to see Marty traded for a third round pick. With a young blueline next year (Hillen and possibly Gilroy/Hedman) we will need a calming presence back there logging major minutes. Martinek always makes his d partners better. We need some vets on the blueline or this team is going to be a disaster for a while.
You know me. I’d trade DP in a heartbeat for a 1/2/or3rd round pick! How great would it of been if Smith was still our GM and signed DP to a 3yr deal, he would be up again and he would be jettisoned. We could trade for Luongo again…
Yes the great Neil Smith. So good in fact he hasn’t a job since he won the cup.
Right now there appear to be more buyers than seller so that could work in the Islanders favor.
WOW- someone let all the crazy out and its all over CBs comments section.
Vukota easy now. I didn’t say he was the greatest GM but that he wanted to sign DP to a 3yr deal which in hindsight would have been genius! Do you really believe that our “Franchise” and I say that loosely as he probably injured himself again in the last hour; is going to ever play more than 40 games a season the rest of the way! C’mon…
Bryan (45), I totally agree, everyone wants to trade people for picks, we’ll end up with no roster players. Martinek is perfect for Gordon’s system, that shot he rang off the pipes last night show’s he can score, he just needs some steroids to bulk up.
JKP is right on. Marty’s more valuable to this team, EVEN IN A REBUILD, than a 2nd or 3rd rounder. So let’s say we get Tavares, Higgins, etc. Then you look at the D and you’re shutdown pair consists of a slow footed shot blocker and a guy that played on the 4th forward line because he wasn’t trusted playing a defensive role. While Streit is WAY better than advertised in his own zone, I’d rather have Marty, as that calming influence.
And as Mikey mentions, Marty makes his partner better. He’s done it with Campoli before the lockout and with Witt since then.
Tony F. keep the juice away from Marty, he’s brittle enough.
This will be the first time since he became the full time starter that DP will have played less then 50 games. The guy has a couple of injuries in a year span and now all of a sudden the guys is done and will never play more then half the teams games ever again??????
#70 be careful with steroids! Especially w/Martinek, if his acne gets any worse his face will fall off.
wow!..so many guys are up for grabs?.
This should be very interesting to see what goes down by next week, who will end up where?.
I understand it’s all about rebuilding around youth, but I honestly do not want a team full of players wet behind the ears, (imo) we still need guys like Witt, you need guys with grit, heart, character, who put every part of their bodies on the line. Not every player has to be or can be the number goal scorer, some guys are just made out to block shots and protect the goals.
I know getting Tavares would be a great deal, but he’s not goin to save the team on his own, some seem to think he’s the only answer to our prayers, true, he’ll be a huge help but if we end up with a team full of babyfaces? even though they may skate the skate, we’ll end up back at the bottom again next season.
Just my opinion.
Tom- You’re on fire today!!! First #12 and now #74. Hat trick???
With just under a week to go before the deadline, Garth can sit back comfortably in his chair, let the calls come in, and when the subject turns to Witt and Martinek, he can tell them to start with a 1st rounder and get back to him when they have their full package.*
*Assuming he doesn’t pull a Sather and fall asleep at his desk for the next week.
RE: Ryan (63) — I agree completely. Unless the trade for Marty is a 2nd rounder + and a decent prospect he’s worth more to our team. Same with Witt.
not to continue to harp on the negativity but what really has DP accomplished in his career? a few 1st round exits in which he wasn’t all that great! Doobie got us in one year. 1 AS game in which he hurt himself in the night before at the Skills. He is an average goalie, tries to involve himself in the defensive zone too much, that can carry a team possibly to the playoffs. Nolan did the right thing by benching him after the loss @ fla last year. Now, I have the right to re-visit this again because he may turnout excellent but not 15-years worthy! But not many are 15 years worthy outside of ovechkin!
Guerin to the Rags seems a lot better now that they’re tailspinning. If he’d do it and we can pry their first rounder away for him (they don’t need it, they draft worse than we do) let’s do it.
Terry #80 - uh sad to say their drafts have been better than the isles last bunch of years. Henrik, Staal, Dawes, Dubinsky, Girardi. Not great -but better than ours.
Montoya, jessiman brendl, I’m talking first rounders.
Let’s play!
The Pittsburgh Penguins have cleared up a bit of their logjam along their blueline as they have traded Ryan Whitney to the Anaheim Ducks for Chris Kunitz and Eric Tangradi.
Interesting return they got for Whitney. This kid Tangradi looks pretty good…..You think this is a better deal than getting the number 1 for Campoli???
Does Snow have the Berries to go after someones RFA’s?
He has the money, he may need to spend some.
Cb - don’t think I have seen a true value, nor seen any type of discussion as to what could be had for Streit. At 30-31, while good story, probably not going to be here forever. Plus, probably at top of his game. Would mid to high first round pick plus A+/A prospect be something isles would consider?
Everyone needs to take a step back and look at the real “value” that Martinek has. Let me be the first to say that I am a fan of him and the way he plays the game…WHEN HE’S HEALTHY. All of you say that he is more valuable to this team than a 2nd or 3rd round pick. HOW? A player can only be valuable when they are actually playing. This guy is made of glass. Take a look at his game log during his career as an Islander (29 games, 69 games, 43 games, 74 games, 47 games, 66 games, and 23 games this year). It’s not like he had a freak injury and missed some games one year. He consistently misses large chunks of time every season (Except maybe the one season that he actually suited up for 74 games). Again, I am a fan of him and like his style, but if Garth can get a 2nd or 3rd round pick for him, take it and run. Remember, we are rebuilding. A player like Joe Callahan can easily replace a player like Martinek.
Martinek should be traded if its possible to get anything for him. When he’s healthy he’s a good defenseman, only problem is that he is only healthy less then half the season. He’s a part time defenseman for us… rather get a pick for him then have nothing half the year or more.
Martinek has been plagued by “freak injuries”. His first year he was sandwhiched at center ice, one guy fell on his leg and tore his ACL. He broke his leg on a rut in the ice. Those are 2 major Freak injuries. The shoulder injury this year was a hit, yes. I’m not saying he’s not fragile, he definitely is, but he’s had more than his share of “freak injuries”.
Don’t forget the one year that Coach “less than” Stirling thought that Tomi Pettinen was better than him and left Marty in the minors for half the season.
JT I think it’s a better deal in the fact that the penguins filled a need in a scoring winger for crosby and got a solid prospect, but I think for what Campoli is, getting a first rounder, although late is a pretty good deal
Cruicky, given Snow’s statements on how highly he values draft picks (probably a lesson learned from two seasons ago), I don’t know if he’d throw in a big offer for an RFA that would involve giving up high draft picks. I know the scale of what you have to give up depends on how much you offer, so maybe he’d throw in an offer for a lower-tier RFA that would not involve giving up first rounders? I doubt it though. Just my thoughts based on limited knowledge…who really knows what Snow’s thinking at any given time!
Derek, freak accidents or not. Martinek seems to get injured a portion of every season. When he’s not injured, he’s a good defenseman to have on the ice.
Its not worth it to keep a part-time good defenseman on the team IF we can trade him off.
Snow’s getting a foot in the door with the other GM’s. Handing out Offer Sheets is bad business on so many fronts. First, depending on how much you offer, you’re giving out a ton of picks. The player may not be worth it. Then you’re put in a bad light amongst the other GM’s. Snow, at this stage, would never do that.
How about Martinek to San Jose for Nick Petrecki? Not sure about Marty’s stock around the league, but I would do this trade in a second. Petrecki is from New York too! Haha
How about a deal with Columbus for their 23 year old d-man Marc Methot. He young, big cheap and learning to be a good stay at home d-man. Witt goes to Columbus for Methot and a draft pick. Islanders get the same stats from a player far younger, bigger and cheaper.
For those of you disparaging Neil Smith — would you please send him a thank-you card for Okposo, Witt, Sillinger and Poti (very useful here). He had a terrific six weeks before Charles decided that re-inventing the wheel was the way to go. Ironically, I believe (according to Logan) that Snow now has the structure Neil wanted (i.e. he runs the show without a committee looking over his shoulder). Neil has his share of faults — but he did win a Stanley Cup, wanted the Isles’ job desperately and made a difference in his short time on the Island.
He’s also +10. Just a thought looking at teams that may be looking for D help going into the playoff run.
Garth Snow on the phone:
“Sure, I’ll give you (___), but you have to take Jon Sim off my hands.”
*click*
“…hello? HELLO?”
Callahan can easily replace Martinek?? I have no idea what you’re talking about. Martinek is irreplaceable to this team right now. He is a great Dman when he plays and he is very good at what he does. Do NOT trade him.
We need two vets on D and thats Marty and Streit.
We need to trade Witt and Sutton IMO.
trade for tootoo
I wish Smith was still our GM. We would have some credibility instead the other 29 teams laugh at us.. I am sad! Plus Smith wouldn’t have signed “Franchise” to 15 and Crying Canada would not have been traded to us! I hope all our the fans in attendance boo the living bleep out of Crying Canada next week. Crying Canada is overrated anyways.
Wedregast,
My opinion is that a 2nd or 3rd rounder would never be equal to what Marty can do when he’s healthy. When he’s in the lineup, he is usually (95% of the time) one of the best defenders in that specific game. I understand that only playing 40-70 games takes the team out of a rhythm or makes them rely on someone else when he does get hurt and misses substantial time. But look at the alternative, and I’ve said this before, would you rather have a guy like Pock for 82 games or Marty for 45. I would go with Marty for 45, unless a better option comes about. Because of Marty’s injuries, there is always an opportunity for another player to step up, it just hasn’t happened yet.
I don’t expect anything until the 3rd. Dangle the bait alittle longer, u’ll c what you can really pry out of these gm’s on the bubble.
smiths gone, stop crying
Snow, get a hold of the Wild and find Sim a home. He woul dbe tied for 8th in goals scored for the wild. Good fit, he would be gone. Pull the trigger.
Yes, Callahan can replace Martinek. I have no idea what YOU are talking about by saying that Martinek is “irreplaceable”. Seriously?!? Open your eyes! We’re the 30th ranked team in a 30 team league! NOBODY on this team is irreplaceble! You’re speaking of Martinek like he’s a Norris Trophy candidate. Come on
Who is the player most likely to be traded at the deadline?
If nothing else, Chris is getting everyone on the blog all fired up and that is a good thing.
Now that Whitney and Schneider have been moved it seems like the bar has been set. The Isles should be able to take advantage of this by having two very attrative defensive d-men. In this market both Witt and Martinek could return decent draft picks and prospects.Time to start is now, dont let what happen last year with Tank and Satan happen again.
I like Marty. Makes good plays, but very subtle. One play among several just last game in Pitt was when he lifted a guy’s stick right in front of the net, breaking up a pass on what would have been a sure goal. No mention of the play from Howie or Jaffe. It’s the d-men you rarely notice out there that are usually doing their job effectively. Marty’s stick is always in the lanes where it should be.
Move him if you must, but for a good offer. I’ll be surprised if anyone we take in the 3rd round turns out better.
Neil Smith is hated because of his ties with the rags. He had a run in with Wang & got canned 41 days in. Wang’s a crazy person, he’s more at home in an insane asylum than he is at the draft table.
I’ll say this, Smith got some good players in 41 days. I’ll say that much. I have no idea what 3 years would have produced. But the 41 days he was here he did ok.
I’d take Smith over Snow. Which may not be saying much. But I do know it takes Snow 45 minutes to find the ignition to turn on his car every morning. That MBA he’s got is probably an honorary degree. He’s a student athlete, they give MBA’s to student athletes for finding the right classroom 3 days in a row.
I realize garth is the GM of our favorite team, but let’s not allow that to distract us from the obvious.
This is very positive if Snow moves most or all of those guys (and Geravis). They now know who fits and who doesn’t.
I have been hoping for this kind of purge. Smart to get value for assets you know your parting with for various reasons.
Snow has to make it happen now.
Tangredi is a nice pick up for Pit. Huge guy, high scoring, and will fight. I was just looking at him the other day thinking he may be an nice fit for the Isles. I think Pit getting him means they’ll move Staal.
and I totally disagree with Botta’s assement of Martinek but if they other teams are willing to think that and give up an asset then great.
what about this deal that I think is very reasonable.
Witt and our worst 2rd pick for Joffrey Lupel on Philly.
He a proven player that still has upside. Flyers could use a dman. I think it is very reasonable
trade them all…shoot if we aquire every pick in the second and third rounds theirs gotta be chance we get a top 6 forward
Garth probably got about 15 calls from teams who need popwer play help and said this:
“Hey Garth…now listen. I know you don’t want to trade Mark Streit but just hear me out. I’ll tr-”(CLICK….dial tone) Garth hangs up.
I don’t want Streit traded….ever, But out of curiosity what could he get in return in a trade? I’d say a 1st. rounder, 3rd. rounder, and an A level prosepect. What do you guys think?
Also, there has to be a team out there that we can package some guys together…like Martinek and Weight, and it could land us a 1st. rounder. No?
Looks like the Bluejackets are willing to part with Leclaire. Now here is a move I would love to see the Isles make. He is a talented net minder, and could make life uneasy for DP which might help him get his act together.
Martinek is not a norris trophy candidate but he is a very good stay at home d-man. How can you seriously compare his veteran presence and experience to some kid from Bridgeport who’s played a few nhl games in his entire career? I know it’s a rebuild, but you’re supposed to have a few vets on the team.
Martinek should not be traded. A good veteran dman like him can’t be taken for granted. I’ll take 40 games with Marty over a full season with Callahan.
and if he beats DP for the job then Snow could call Bian Burke and start the the phone call with Schenn Grabovski and…
Brian B considering what Pitt just got for Whitney, and what Brian Burke wants for Kaberle I think Streit would bring back a very nice package of a solid player and high draft pick
For what it’s worth Pierre Maguire was on the radio and just mention Guerin and Weight (even though he’s injured) as 2 Islander players that are involved in trade rumours that’s he’s heard of.
I think this bodes well for us I as I can see us getting at least another second rounder (in addition to prospects), and hopefully we can swap a few of the second rounders for another 1st.
c’mon somebody over pay so we can move hunter!…literally move him since he is like a glacier on the ice….
Billy G was pretty vocal in the media earlier in the season. however, since the ‘41 game shift’ he seemed to have said his piece at that time, but has been mum in the media ever since.
Billy G will be looking to move on.
beatlebailey - I used to think the same of Hunter, in addition to “he couldn’t hit the side of a barn”.
But this year, there was a good stretch where he was strong on his skates, tough along the boards, and popped in a couple.
I don’t think he’s fully recovered from his latest injury based on his play of late. But at $2 mill a year, I’d give him another chance.
I nominate Tom (Post #12) for post of the week!
Blits (124) I dont think he is “looking to move on” at all. I think he is just smart enough to say his piece and not keep saying it because he doesnt know the whole situation yet.
Brian B (117): DING!!!! I think that is definitely the case lol!
ahh there it is Hunter Martinek and a 2nd rounder to Columbus for Methot Leclaire and their first rounder Isles get younger on did rid themselves of the (glacier)move up in the draft and get stronger in net.Columbus gives up age on defense dept in net and gets a solid top 6 and keeps the same number of picks in the draft . Everyone wins
Billy G is a goner. He wants out! One last chance at glory before he retires & does nothing for the next 45-50 years. He’s earned it!
I second Mike’s nomination post of the week (Tom, #12).
Getting picks in return for these players is always nice and I’m not against that all, but it would sure be nice to get an actual player in return, someone that fans can see now and watch grow with the team. Unless it’s a 1st-round pick, we don’t usually get to see these players for 2-3 years and Isles fans could use another young player to hang their hat on along with Okposo, Bailey, Comeau, etc.
Howie Rose and Deb Kaufmann for Doc Emerick……SW
Martinek is a tough one to part with because his cap number is so attractive, and the Islanders will need to replace the defensive depth from SOMEwhere. But oh, those injuries…
So … who is going to be able to get any sleep this week? I imagine my caffeinated brain will crash hard on Thursday.
Remember 2004 when the Isles traded a 4th round pick for Alexander Karpovtsev? I see striking similarities with a Martinek trade. Very very injury prone. Not many teams will be willing to give up a 2nd rounder for someone who averages between 40-60 games a season. I know Martinek is younger than Karpovtsev was, so that’s why I say we’d prob only get a 3rd.
I could totally go either way with a 3rd round pick for Marty. Witt on the other hand should def be kept in an Isles uniform unless he gets back a first rounder.
Idk why anyone wants to see hunter traded. Yes he does not have good speed( ok he moves like he’s in molasses), but he has a good hard shot, blocks shots, and hits eveything. Plus he loves being an islander, hes a player that will work his tail off for this team.
It’s nice to keep a core defence, but the fact is this is the worst team in the entire league ( even with Streit). Martinek, Sutton, Witt, are all over 30, so they won’t be around for success anyway. Don’t rule out trading Streit either, good as he is. What an asset! Keep Gervais, Hillen, and the rest of the young guys. Keep the guys that aren’t worth trading( Meyer, Callahan) Sign a couple of FA vets to 1 or 2 yr. deals next year and hope for the best from DP. For 2010-11, start getting serious about quality over quantity( Hillen, Streit??, Gervais, Hedman??, Katic??, plus several options)Some draft picks will hopefully mature. Just a thought.
Let’s make a pact that we will not discuss trading Streit for the rest of the season. Why you ask?? Cause it’s NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!!!
I believe that anyone who is advocating a trade of Streit really needs to re-think their position. This is a guy we must keep. Unless you are overwhelmed with an offer that goes well beyond market value, you hold onto this guy. Regrdless of how many draft picks you may be able to acquire, at some point, you need actaul players. Granted, no one is completely untouchable, but he is a building block, and I simply would not trade him unless I was absolutely blown away by an offer.
Montreal has added a defenseman, Doug Janik from Dallas (for center Steve Begin). Hmmm…now, how does this affect the market for D-men?
What about Andy Sutton, what is even going on with him
First, Streit is staying put. He is signed for the next 4years and for his money is a steal.
Second, if Garth is only trading for picks and no players in return I’ll be very disappointed. As mentioned earlier, trading for Methot would be great. There is always a diamond in the ruff. Garth surprised everyone a few years ago with the Smyth trade, so maybe he has something up his sleeve this year.
Agreed on holding Streit - the moreso because, as has been mentioned about Weight, it’s bad form to sign the guy long-term, talk to him about being a major part of the rebuild, and then ship him off at the first opportunity. Yeah, I suppose if you get absolutely blown away, you’d have to, but the Isles can NOT afford to reinforce the impression that signing with them is a bad idea. Streit was an All-Star, is a very popular guy here, and is playing wonderfully. That goes a long way with the other potential UFA’s to say that hey, this team isn’t just a giant black hole, even if their building isn’t so great.
A strong finish would also go far. Those aren’t the only things the Isles need, but they are two things that are entirely in their control, so why not get them right?
All I keep reading is picks, picks, picks. Do you really believe that this organization is capable of choosing talent effectively? I think it would be ridiculous to move Martinek for anything less than a package containing a proven commodity - Preferably one 6′2″ or bigger
Craig, only Mike Milbury is stupid enough to have given up a 4th rounder for a player (Karpovtsev) who was actually more fragile than Martinek with a history of back problems. I remember when that trade was made wondering how many games he would play before he went down again and, if I recall, it wasn’t more than a handful.
Streit might be the best 2 way defensemen in the league this season.
Unless you are getting Atlanta’s #1 pick then why would you trade him?
miketee - it seemed like a reasonable gamble at the time, if Karpovtsev had stayed healthy. Certainly not the maddest thing in Mad Mike’s long reign of cruelty…
Yeah… trade everyone for draft picks. We’ll have 3 experienced players next year. People are nuts.
Tom: I’m sure you know all about Garth Snow and his degree. I think I remember Garth was a walk on… not a scholarship. He earned his spot on his college team, he earned his way into the NHL and most likely he earned his degree by going to class. This wasn’t division I NCAA basketball or football.
Have a nice day.
DOC
Just read a blog that said Kessel might be available for the right package. How about Witt, Guerin and Boston’s 2nd for Kessel?
Are either Neil Smith or Ted Nolan working in the NHL?!?
Yeah, thought so.
Go Isles!
Whoever is taking about trading Streit needs to quit smoking that stuff. First he’s only been our best player and ALL STAR this season. Second how would it look to other free agents that were trying to sign. And third we got a steal on his contract. We need more players like him to build this team around, we can’t just keep trading them away. We need to start somewhere and this is a great place to start in building this team.
they and should get George Laraugue.
Maybe they should package Martinek, Hunter, and Milbury’s left shoe to the Manitoba Moose for the future rights to all of the Bourne/Gillies spawn
Pat (150) beat me to the punch. You can’t trade Streit if you ever want to sign another free agent. He’s the Iles’ poster-boy for the idea that you can come here and have success. Regardless of the offer it would ruin us for the next few years. I really like Martinek but if the right offer comes you may have to move him. But I don’t think you take anything less than a mid-round #2 for him.
if the islanders trade macdonald, witt, and danis to the canadiens, do u think we could possibly get carey price and someone like chris higgins or komisarek?
Everyone who’s still making mock Montreal trades for Higgins or whoever, throwing 9 Islanders at them for Higgins and a draft pick will never happen bc the Canadiens have no cap room whatsoever.
Oh, and I agree with the guy who said trade away anyone who wont be here next year for anything we can get. Obviously dont sell at a discount rate, but Id like to see us get some kind of return on players we dont plan on keeping
McDonald, Witt and Danis for “Jesus”(Carey Price) and higgins or komisarek ? Not a chance….
138
Someone remarked that we should trade Witt and Sutton … that’s a great idea! Let’s get the average size of the team down to 5′8″ and 170 lbs. and then try to compete with the rest of the league - that should work for us.
I dislike Martinek’s play immensely and think Isle fans overrate him. That said, at $1.5m per season for two more years, it’s hard to part with him for anything less than a 2nd round pick. He’s not a terrible defenseman by any stretch but he’s not a top 4 defenseman on most teams in this league either. I’d rather see Gervais traded as I think he’s reached his peak talent at the NHL level and has been playing a bit better since just before Campoli was traded. It would be good to get a return on him while his value is at its peak.
And whoever thinks we’re going to be much better than 30th place next season is fooling themselves. If we do this rebuild properly, we have one or two more seasons in the gutter before we can effectively compete with other teams on a daily basis. Therefore, draft picks and prospects are the way to go and we can absolutely sign 1-2 veterans for leadership purposes next season if Guerin and Weight are gone. I’d like to see the Isles sign 1-2 solid players during the offseason (such as Streit this past offseason) to continue building the core while the kids develop through 2010-2011.
I only said don’t automatically assume Streit won’t be traded. Four years from now, he’ll be 35. Will he still be effective? Who knows. Will the Islanders be contenders by then? Decent possibility. Right now, or preferably in about 2 yrs.,he could be dealt for a high quality return. I’m just sayin’.
forget the 138 at the top of my post - agree with that post 100%
trade joe mac witt guerin and hibert
“Witt, Guerin & Boston’s pick for Kessel”
“Danis, MacDonald and Witt for Price and Higgins/Komisarek”
I really hope those were jokes…
me too
guerin for malkin