Negotiations between Ryan Smyth and agent Don Meehan with Edmonton for a contract extension broke down 20 minutes before the 3 p.m. NHL trade deadline. Ten minutes later, the Islanders called their shocking deal with the Oilers in to league headquarters, a team official said.
The attorney on the other end of the phone expected something minor, and when he heard Smyth’s name, his reaction was, well, the exact words of surprise can’t be repeated in a family blog. Smyth is an icon in Edmonton, and his loss sent shock waves across Canada, especially since it came on Mark Messier Night for the Oilers.
Their announcement of the deal was almost funereal in that a release had to be composed that included the proper tributes to Smyth’s years of service. Hockey Night in Canada immediately dispatched a TV crew to Long Island to cover Smyth’s arrival late tomorrow night.
Despite the 10-minute turnaround between the breakdown of contract negotiations and the trade with the islanders, the groundwork was laid over the weekend when Oilers general manager Kevin Lowe, anticipating the worst, called around the league to see what might be available. Like everyone else, the Oilers asked for Islanders 2006 first-round pick Kyle Okposo, but general manager Garth Snow ruled him off limits long ago.
Still, the Islanders’ offer of former first-round picks Robert Nilsson and Ryan O’Marra along with this year’s first-round pick was too good to turn down. When the call came from the Oilers, Snow called owner Charles Wang and received quick approval to do the deal. When it had to, the Islanders’ committee was able to move quickly.
Of course, Snow understands the risk he’s taking with a player who will be a free agent on July 1. Although he wouldn’t commit to anything yesterday, it’s obvious the Islanders would not have given up so much if they weren’t prepared to offer something close to the five-year deal for $25 million that Smyth reportedly was seeking.
Said Snow: “I think Ryan Smyth is everything that Teddy and I and Charles, when we have conversations of what it’s like to be an Islander, this is the type of player that we want to represent Long Island.”
That tells you right there that they will make every effort to sign Smyth long-term.
Comments (68)
Now that's an answer from Jason Blake: "Once and Islander, always an Islander" any chance getting Smyth and Blake to sign on? Alexei WHO?!?
nice. very nice job greg, thanks for a great blog.
oh jeez. What a game. I almost punched my cat's head off by accident when they tied it up :(. And yes "Once and Islander, always an Islander."... does that mean spezza, chara, and luongo are going to be back anytime soon?! hahaha. Either way, those two points were well needed, and deserved. A big hooray for the rags helping us catch up to 7th place with three games in hand! & for ottawa and buffalo for keeping toronto and carolina from climbing even higher! CAN'T WAIT TILL THURSDAY! LET'S GO ISLANDERS!
Ryan Smyth.,..what an outstanding trade...who cares how we got them, we got two points...i think the Eastern Conference should seriously watch out for the Islanders...their only problem was thepower play, and now that thats addressed, this team could potentially do some serious damage! Props to Garth Snow. He's got guts. GO ISLANDERS!!
For two weeks, you'd go into the online rumor mills on espn, tsn, etc, and the Islanders weren't listed as being in on ANYONE. The lack of respect and seriousness this team is met with is astounding. Now with the deadline passed, we are sitting pretty with THE prize of the day, a guy we swooped in on while other GMs just assumed he wouldn't be available.
Great day for the Islanders. Worry about July in July.
Isles panicked--wasted picks and young talent on a guy who will NOT re-sign in July...and, he does not make this team a real contender. Playoff team? Possibly. No more than that. Welcom back, Kirk Muller II.
Dead on Panic--I love the idea of an all star in nyi colors. but, not foe a three mos. rental--something smells fishy here. People get real--we aint doing damage. DP sucked tonight--and, Brendan Witt has been horrid lately. Ugh.
Couple of thoughts ...
1) Huge 2 points tonight and the Isles have a legit chance of reaching the 4 spot - which would be nice considering they could avoid the Devs. I realize that they haven't even clinched a spot yet but might as well be positive right?
2) Campoli and Meyer got abused tonight. Bergeron is looking nice though.
3) Blake and Hunter are on fire. The team is getting scoring from all over the place which is exciting. As cool as it was to watch Yash and Blake light it up early on I would much rather have the balanced scoring from 3 lines that we have now.
4) I'm willing to give Yash another chance to see what he can do. Getting Smyth and keeping Blake was huge, but adding Yashin back could prove to be equally as big - and no, I'm not drinking right now ...
5) Not to beat this to death, but I really hope the Garth gives Smyth the 5 years $25 million he wants, because he deserves it and it would really give the Isles some clout around the league
6) Someone had posted the Isles potential UFA's - I forgot the whole list but I hope they choose to sign Smyth, Blake, Kozlov, Poti, Hill and let the rest go ...there may be a name or two I've forgotten ...
AZS--you want to give the guy 5mm a year before hes ever played a game for us? Have you been eating the same laced Sushi as Wang? Grow up jerk off.
Ugly win tonight, but I'll take it....I think we all need to stop being so cynical and rally around this team from here on out. We're in a playoff hunt and just brought one of the best players in the game on board....LIGHTEN UP AND ENJOY THE RIDE!
I'm up in school, so I can't do it, but we need to get people to PACK the Coliseum Thursday night to welcome Ryan Smyth and show him what a packed house on Long Island is all about. Something tells me a half-empty arena wouldn't quite sell him on staying here.
And Greg, thanks for all this info...I feel spoiled, and it's wonderful to see so many passionate Isles fans sharing their views on the team. Greg has clearly come into his own as a blogger today.
Id take any team 1-7 now over the Isles. So, strat getting real folks. we are average.
Also, I'm with AZS...start negotiations as soon as possible, bring Smyth's wife and family on a tour of the nice neighborhoods on the Island, and get this deal done. This is not Kirk Muller people, first and foremost because nobody of Turgeon's caliber went the other way.
Nick--pack the house and pretend the Isles are popular? he already knows we are a micky mouse organization--people talk man. We aint keeping him..so enjoy the short ride. Why pay for an avaerage product when you can watch for free? Good punches by Simon...but Meyer is AWFUL and Witt has sucked in Feb.
FYI Smyth is seeking 5 yrs @ 6 mil per. Oilers offered 5 years @ 5mil per at the start of the year, and he turned it down. The Feeling in Edmonton is he will return next year at 5.5-6 mil per. So we just stole 3 assets.
Don't you just love computer tough guys? Well, I'll be at the game on Thursday night "Tiki" ...maybe if your mommy lets you out we could meet up to talk about hockey? Somehow I have a feeling that not only are you posting here under several different names, but that you won't take me up on my offer
And Nick, I agree ...my friends and I are going to get tickets early on Thursday and will do what we can to help show what the Isles fans, not front runners like "Tiki" are all about
Yeah, wanting to sign an all-star player who's been to a Cup final ...yeah, I MUST be crazy ....
It's funny seeing all the bitter Oiler and Ranger fans posting here!!! Thanks for the laughs guys!!! At least the Oiler fans won't be returning once Smyth is signed long term by the Isles. Smyth and Nolan are perfect for each other!!!
Isles win yet again and move into 7th. Soon to be 5th or 4th!!!
His whole family is in the west. No way he stays in the East. I could see Calgary grabbing him to say f-u Edmonton.
AZS,
I've posted the same points over the past few hours under the other blogs.
I also listed all the UFAs.
I like your list, and I'd add Asham to that list.
Campoli and Meyer can not be on the ice at the same time. Witt and Hill isn't Potvin and Persson either. which leaves Poti and Bergeron... these pairings make no sense, unless you're putting them out there for special teams situations.
If they don't give smyth a qualified offer this is going to be one of the worst deals in Isle history... so we might as well enjoy it while it lasts.
Meanwhile, Tambellini is already in the AHL, Nielsen gets on the shuttle tomorrow, Bates is never going to crack this roster (thank god).
their number one NHL prospect (possibly) has been playing in europe all year and nobody knows if he's even NHL worthy.
I'm really glad they were comitted to building a solid infrastuctre.
Blake is now playing to the crowd... He just doesn't have the charisma DP does... and he'll most likely be gone in July... especially with the $1M tambellini waiting in the wings, and it being common knowledge that he might be the last guy invited to his own birthday party.
You have to love him as a player though... I'd love to see him get a lap with Lord stanely.
Is Hilbert a UFA this summer...If so, we should bring him back. I agree, sign Smyth right away. We all know what kind of player he is. He might be the best all-around player in the league. The question is, can we afford him. After the Zednik deal, we were down to $3-4 million free in cap space and than we acquired Smyth. You figure the salary cap will increase in the offseason, Bates' $2 million or so will probably be gone so that's about $6 million free before the salary cap increases. If we don't keep Zednik than we have about $8 million free but Kozlov will get a raise. Hunter deserves a long term deal. I don't see us being able to afford both Smyth and Blake.
Greg - just want to say: AMAZING job on the blog. Way to keep us Isles fans updated with the latest and greatest. Nice to get the best news from here rather than TSN or rumor boards like in past years. Keep it up!!!
Let me preface this by saying, I've been a lifelong Oiler fan. I've lived, loved, breathed the Oilers for as long as I can remember.
And I live in Vancouver, home of the Canucks.
This deal devastated me but it wasn't something we didn't see coming.
Am I mad at the Islanders? No. In fact, I love Ted Nolan.
When Ryan started this season, and continued to play, without a contract, I've always said, "where Ryan goes, so go I."
To the Islander fans. Here's what you're getting with Smytty:
1. A guy that plays until the final buzzer;
2. A guy that lost teeth in game 3 against the San Jose Sharks in the second round of last year's playoffs, had to be stitched up, showed up on the ice in overtime and scored an assist, sans teeth. In fact, he went the rest of the post-season without required oral surgery because it would interfere with the Oilers playoff run;
3. You know those games where you're down by one goal with a minute left? Smyth will be out there, that minute working as hard as he can.
4. Me. Sadly, you get me in the deal too.
I wish nothing but the best for Ryan. I hope he brings you the Cup this summer. I don't know of a more deserving hockey player.
Bergeron's not a bad defenseman either. He was a scapegoat trade for a bad regular season and someone needing to be blamed. It was easy to trade him since he knocked out Roloson in Game 1 of the finals last year.
I don't know these draft picks you guys gave up, but believe me, what you got was valuable.
Cherish him. I know you're going to love him.
I noticed that without Smyth, you guys were 1 point out of a playoff spot. With him - even though he hasn't played - you're #8 now.
The sweet, sweet revenge as an Oiler fan is you guys will, hopefully, effectively knock the canes out of the running.
Good luck. Take care of my boy. We're going to miss him. We already do.
I don't know much about this guy other than his numbers. Does anyone think he could be our Mark Messier and do for us what MM did for the Rangers? Is he that type of player and leader?
Hey AZS... funny how yesterday you posted.... "trade Blake now" and today you post... "Keeping Blake was huge... "
So which way is it?
I still do think that if they had traded him it would have been smart. I also said that the reason why I wanted him dealt isn't because of the fact that he wasn't a good player, but because of the fact that appearantly wants too much money over too many years. Keeping him was huge if your really trying to make a run at it now, which by the Smyth trade shows they think they have a legit chance to make a run ...
You also have to remember that I get the same info that you read. As of yesterday and the day before it was a forgone conclusion that Blake was out of here. I was simply trying to point out the many positives for him going. There were and are obvioulsy many positives for him staying ...again, if he would have been dealt for young players and picks I would have been ok - maybe more so with the trade for Smith because I liked Nilsson and O'Marra ...but in the end it is better to have them both for now and hope that somehow they're able to sign Smyth and Blake or atleast not overpay for Blake - which is still think a 5 year deal for him at the annual price he's seeking would be
I like the "worry about July in July" mantra. The Islanders just guranteed a bonafied Stanley Cup push. I'll be there Thursday. Melrose on espn,"a trade was made that is the equivelant of the Yankees trading Derick Jeter."
Campoli can't be blamed for all the miscues. The deflection past DP reminded me of the one Witt had a few games back; they'll happen. By pairing him with Meyer, you've subjected him to the night from hell.
Outstanding. From the 15 year contract to getting Ryan Smyth. Snow has by far any away been one of the more ballsy GMs and now all of a sudden are a very scary team.
However, in the wake of all of this Blake needs to be resigned aswell as Smyth.
Garth Snow has done more in less than a year than any GM the Isles have had since Torrey left. O'Mara and Nielsen were embarassing drafts. Good riddance. Niether will be a first line player. As far as the first pick of this years draft, unless the Islanders plummet to the top five pick it was worthless. This years draft will be weak. The good news is he kept Okposo and Blake. Smyth may be a tough sign because he is Captain Canada and probably will wish to return there. My guess is with division rival Calgary or Vancouver. Hopefully he will gel with Nolan and want to continue here. Either way, Islander fans deserve a true play-off push. It is something we havent seen since Torrey left. Congrats Garth!!! Great moves all year.
I still can't believe that any die hard Islander fan is upset with this trade. Have you all been happy the past 20 years selling at the deadline and accepting the horrible seasons we have gone through?? It is a total shock that I guess I won't ever understand. I couldn't be any happier that Blake will finish this season in uniform and picking up a proven great player/leader for the playoff push... Great job by Nolan and Snow
As evidenced by Grace's post ealier you can see the type of player Ryan Smyth is. He was to Edmonton kind of like what Jeter is to the Yankees. He doesn't wow you with tremendous regular season numbers, but he's big in the playoffs and provides a team with the type of grit, determination, hardwork and leadership needed to inspire a team to make a run in the playoffs. I really applaud the organization for making a move of this caliber and while I understand they gave up a lot to get him, it really shows the fans and the league that the Isles feel that they can not only compete but challenge for the cup.
My hope is that with the addition of Smyth and the return of Yashin the Isles will be set with their offense. As always the key is DiPietro and while he had a stinker last night, if he can continue to play the way he has all season, we're in good shape.
One more thing, with all that they gave up, Snow was still able to keep Kyle Okposo, who looks to be a big player in the future. I've seen him in the WJC as well as at Minnesota and he is good.
Greg
any truth to the rumor that Blake was on his way to Anaheim, but the deal missed the 3:00 deadline?
You are such idiots--bad deal. He will not sign lt with the Isles. Such a panic move.
Todd, do you like losing? Sounds like you do...
First of all, welcome, grace, to the ship of fools...
I did a little number crunching yesterday and it looks like they can keep Smyth, Zednik AND blake if the cap rises. Smyth wants $5M per, Blake will probably take $3M per and Zednik $2.5. In the crunch we lose Robitaille, Simon and possibly Poti. But that means the team can roll three strong lines and have a fourth line better than most second tier guys. The crunch is on "D" where they needed some help, and will actually lose some if Poti is not re-signed.
Let's see how the season plays out, and what next year's cap number is. Either way I'm over my deadline deptression...
LET'S GO ISLANDERS!!!!
i didn't know that some islander fans can also predict the future???
how do ANY of you know that Smyth will not re-sign here on the island.
did he personally tell all of you this? if so please post his comments on this blog for the rest of us to see.
kudos to garth for having the testicular fortitude to make this move
let's see them win now.
we have spent too many years waiting for prospects to develop.
milbury shanked the draft with nillson by passing up on parise. o'marra is definatley a talent but is at least 3 to 4 years from being a big time NHL player
this years draft class is weak
so who cares if he gave up those guys and that pick
WIN NOW!!!! LETS GO ISLES
hey todd,
please enlighten us as to how you know smyth will not re-sign?
was nillson the next forsberg? he was so good that they brought up tambellini, nielsen, even bogeneki was called up before nillson???
take your negativity back to the rangers blog.
Just for the record, Ken Hitchcock said earlier in the year after the Isles aquired Meyer that he loved him in Philly and that he was just having a bad season there, along with everyone else. With Campoli, Meyer, Gervais and Bergeron, the Isles have 4 good, young, cheap, puck-moving defensemen, all under the age of 26. Throw in Martinek, who's AWESOME, and the defense is set.
As far as Smyth goes, this deal was a no-brainer. Kirk Muller was a d-head, Smyth is a leader. Will he go back to Canada at season's end? Perhaps. But rest assured that while he's here he'll give it his all, which makes the Isles an immediate Cup contender.
JP that didn't take you too long :)...less than 24 hours ago you seemed ready for baseball season...glad to hear you're back in good spirits. Glad also that someone looked at the cap space for next year. Great website at http://nhlsalarycap.info/teams_new_york_islanders.php
Smyth asks for the 5 yrs/$26M that he was trying to get from Edmonton (and I am now hearing that he was actually asking for $5.75M per). I agree with you on $3M/year for Blake (which would represent a doubling of his salary...he isn't really worth that much, is he?) Garth really needs to sign 3-4 Isles UFAs to keep this team somewhat intact: Smyth/Blake, Poti and Hunter. I'd be sad to see Asham go, but not heartbroken. Jury is still out on Zednik although he looked okay last night. Kozlov and Hill I can take or leave. Freddy Meyer must go...that is all.
LET'S GO ISLANDERS!!
Somebody just wrote what I was just saying to a friend of mine; Why is this our defensive pairings?
Poti-Bergeron
Witt-Hill
Campoli-Meyer
They seem to be the worst combinations.
Witt and Hill are both slow, stay at home, D-men without much offensive upside.
Campoli and Meyer are both young, inexperienced, d-men who are both not great in their own end and who both like to both jump into the rush.
Bergeron-poti are both offensive d-men with big shots who like to handle the puck and shot. Neither takes the body well.
Why have pairings with such similar +s and -s. Why not make the pairings to accent the +s of one guy with the +s of the other guy while addressing the -s of each guy with the other?
I would propose:
Bergeron-Hill
Poti-Meyer
Campoli-Witt
This way all the pairings have an offensive guy paired with a more defensive guy, a guy who is not great on the body with a guy who is, a guy who can cover in the defensive zone while the other can jump into the rush, an experienced guy paired with a less experienced guy to help cover up mistakes, etc. Seems more logical to me then having the current pairings.
The Smyth trade is a great one and makes total sense to me. If you were not moving or signing Blake (thereby putting most of your eggs in this year's basket anyway), why not go all out and put all our eggs in this year's basket and lets make a serious run?
Plus we did not give up the 2 guys who seem like "Nolan type" top prospects, Okposo and Bergenheim. Plus we did not give up Tambellini , who looks like he can play in the NHL as well.
I do not like not having a 1st or 2nd in this years draft, no defensive prospects to speak of in the farm system, and we don't really have a stud d-man, which you usually need for a Cup run, but atleast Garth is consistent. Now lets go out and do some serious damage in the playoffs to justify this.
Lets Go Islanders.
P.S. If we can sign Smyth and Blake (probably dumping Yashin to do it) its a coup and we will be very good for a while.
If Smyth resigns with Edmonton for the same or less $ that we offer him, it is a slap in the face for the committee (if not outright collusion), but if we win the Cup, who cares.
If we don't sign Smyth or Blake, we had better make the Conference finals, or Garth, and the committee, will be back on the laughing stock, list.
Over the years... draft picks, players come and go.... but to have a legitimate shot at this years cup is worth "potentially" mortgaging the future. See: tim connoly, taylor pyatt, bryan berard, branislav mezei, kristian kudroc, juraj kolnik. Really, only Redden, Charra, Bertuzzi, McCabe have been long time contributors... i may be missing some but please.... most of these players are replaceable and more than willing to do so for a real legitimate shot at the cup.... if it falls short, it will be fun nonetheless. And with Nolans systems and coaching, players are more interchangeable.
Fourcups-
I completely agree. Nilsson and O'Marra were NOT the future of the Islanders. I'm tired of hearing people blame Snowy for "mortgaging the franchise" to get a guy who is possibly, even likely only a rental. He knew the Islanders needed one or two more parts to turn them from the one-round-and-out Islanders of the last few years into a legitimate threat. And I'm glad he did so. I'd like to ask those who think the trade was a bad idea...we had two choices yesterday. We could stand pat and probably get the 7-8 seed which vs. BUF or NJD is a recipe for a first-round loss. We keep Nilsson and O'Marra. OR things happen as they did yesterday, and we trade Nilsson/O'Marra for Smyth, giving the Isles veteran playoff-tested toughness and someone who simply puts pucks in nets, therefore giving the Isles a better chance at a 5-6 seed and thus a better chance at a Cup.
I got news for you all--Robert Nilsson wasn't going to win us any Cups next year, or ever. There are good prospects and then there are untradeable prospects. Crosby, Phaneuf, Ovechkin, they were untradeable--can't miss, immediate contributors to their teams in a BIG way. Nilsson, well, not so much. His ship sailed when he was called up last year, got plenty of ice time, and was completely average. He basically projects into Randy Robitaille.
The Islanders want to win NOW...so do I.
It feels GREAT to be an Isles fan today. We're going to the playoffs with a legit shot at the cup.When was the last time that happened??Who would you rather be today,a Rags fan, an Oiler fan or an Isles fan??? GREAT job Garth!Anyway in todays NHL you can rebuild a team without a lot of draft choices and prospects much easier than you could before.The Isles will be fine without Nilsson and O'Marra.Plus I always got confused between Nilsson and Nielsen.I'm glad one of them is gone!LETS GO WIN ANOTHER CUP!!Enjoy the ride! GO ISLANDERS!!!!!
Matt,
It's definitely good to be back. Great site, especially for those of us who try to play GM from time to time. I really gotta stay outta Holiday Inn Expresses.
There is nothing better than Spring hockey when your team has a chance to win the cup.
Hopefully, in five years we will all look back at this as the start of something really big.
But I'm with most people here... either way, Snowy, NICE STONES MAN. I wanna be on this train even if it crashes.
Wang, Snow, Nolan... that's what leadership is all about. Getting a group of people to all pull in the same direction, even if it might not SEEM TO be the correct direction... THEY MAKE IT THE CORRECT DIRECTION.
LOOK OUT NHL... HERE COME THE ISLANDERS!!!!
How's that for a 180. :-)
WE ARE ALL ISLANDERS!!! WAY TO BE JP
Who cares about losing Nilsson and Mara. They were both Milbury picks and therefore would never amount to anything.
Where's cincy??? This guy throws in interesting blogs all the time, and now after a busy week.... nothing??? Are you speechless dude? I doesn't make any sense long term, but I'm so excited about the rest of the year... and the playoffs were we'll be dangerous (remember what I said). If anything, it shocked the rest of the hockey world and gave us some long overdue credibility. Lets get dirty for the rest of the season!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm very excited about this deal and hope we can sign him up long term.. We as fans now need to do our part and fill that arena with the energy we all no we can give...
My only issue is that press conference he did today leaving Edmonton... Ooofff.. he was broken up.. I just had flashbacks of the Kirk Muller deal coming into my head... I hope he can do what he said and turn the page on his career and start writing a new chapter looking forward not back... WELCOME TO LONG ISLAND RYAN, we need you here, we want you here. Thanks for coming!
Definitely tough to keep looking at pictures of a guy who looks like he just lost his family. Hope he finds a new one here pretty quick. LETS GO ISLES!!!
now that the deadlines over and theres no more saying who should go where. can we please all come together and just stand behind our team, who for once in the 16 years I have been a fan is something to be excited about. Also, lets just make fun of the rangers from time to time.
GO ISLANDERS
Love the trades this year, except for the Zhitnik trade. Thought we should have gotten more like Philly did.
So what draft picks do we have left for 2007?
I just saw Ryan Smith's press conference. From that it would not seem that we have any shot at resigning him. He was crying and saying his heart is in Edmonton. His family did not want this. If he wins the cup with the Islanders he will bring it back to Edmonton, where his heart is. Ouch.
That said, I remember CuJo crying and saying the same things when he left Toronto, and the next day in Detroit he was all smiles and how he could not wait to play for Detroit. Of course he was not in Toronto for 12 years. He was not Captain Canada or the "face" of Toronto like Smyth. We'll see how it plays out.
You know what, if he wins the Cup on the Island, I don't care where he takes it or who he signs with. That is some big "IF" though.
The only reason Smyth was crying during the press conference was he had just seem pictures of the Islander's practice facility and their home arena. Ya better get that sorted out soon Chuck cause your other summer competition to sign Ryan have big league facilities.
Miggsey,
The reason Smyth is here is so Wang can put more fannies in the seats, which translates to revenue for a new Coliseum. This wasn't just a hockey trade, this was a business decision (and a good one I think).
So young, so dumb the Isles brat fans. You gave up a ton for a few mos. Smyth aint getting the Isles a stadium...hes playing in Canada next year 100%. Desperate, stupid move. You'll panic if Smyth wont sign and have to give him 7 mma year--lol. Didnt learn from Yash, huh? Long Island schmucks. Thxs for the picks, and Torres..and Brewer ...yawn.
amused to see the amount of interest/ bitterness generated by a mere rental player...we know it's tough conceding the season with over a month left...there must have been more of a gap there in edmonton than just a few dollars, canadian or otherwise...as oiler fans realize a new lowe, long-time suffering isles fans know better than to celebrate early...nolan will have whomever is out there on the ice focused on St Louis tomorrow...19 games left to qualify for a playoff berth...a good work ethic & talent is a nice combination...go isles!
I cant even believe there is one Islander fan compalining about draft picks. How many years have gone by when draft picks are gonna be. Every franchise bloats their prospects not only to the league but their fans also. If you cant get on this train then you never will be a true islander and go root for another team. Mara, who knows? nilsson obviously is not the player the org wants and who knows on this years #1 pick. The farm is still solid. has anyoneforgot bergenhiem. nokalanen, okposo? This deal is a NO BRAINER and I believe Smythe will resign and Blake too.
Folks, as JP notes, watch the press conference on TSN.ca--this guy thanked ever man, woman, child, dog, cat, and living creature in Edmonton for all they have done. His family has Edmonton roots and he has two daughters living there. Will he uproot them? Big question mark. Indeed, after watching this, I will be shocked, shocked, shocked if he signs here--and it's not inconceivable he will be in Edmonton next year.
I also agree that the Isles have decided to go for the inside straight with the acqusition as a business matter to get some jump on a new area/development.
It is certainly a gamble on a rental for a great player. But the probabilities are against us and if the Isles don't advance more than one round--the Committee will deservedly have Milbury egg all over their faces.
Still, I'll root and hope for the best.
How many of you are real Islander fans? Nilsson is for real. Nolan didn't like what he saw in tranning camp so he went to Bridgeport. Last year he got to play with Kvasha and Yashin, two dogs. Now O'Marra is gone too, our future thrown away for a chance to make the playoffs. Where are we going? We haven't won a playoff series in 14 yrs, and now we're going to sweep through with Smyth, give me a break. Edm. couldn't even make the playoffs this year with him, and last year if wasn't for Pronger and his big goals Edm. would be nothing.
Isles are a D.P. groin pull away from saying goodbye to Blake, Smyth and probably Kozlov.
Typical New York, 'WIN NOW BABY'.
Nilsson is for real? really? How is he in the playoffs? Blake did pretty well with Yashin the Dog this year. I think I'll trust the judgment of Snow & Nolan, thanks. Don't get me wrong, I'd be a hell of a lot more skeptical if it was MM making the trade...
Drew buddy, why would you ask about "real" Islander fans and then post that kind of nonsense? "Win now" might be a typical NY attitude, but it hasn't been a NY Islander attitude for most of the last 15 years. This is the first time the Islanders have been big deadline buyers in ages, and with them now charging full-throttle towards the playoffs following their early-winter doldrums, there's no better time for such a move.
If you think Edmonton's playoff run last year was all about Chris Pronger then I seriously have to doubt your credibility. If you followed them last year then you'd know that guys like Pisani, Horcoff, Torres, Hemsky, and of course, Smyth had just as much to do with their playoff success as Pronger. In the immortal words of the GEICO Caveman, "next time maybe do a little research." Speaking of Edmonton, they hadn't won a playoff series in 8 years until they "swept through," lowest seed and all. So let's not write off this deal as a disaster before Smyth can even slip an Islander jersey over his head.
Unloading Luongo, Berrtuzi, McCabe, Chara,Joikenen as well as picks(which could have been Spezza and Heatly), prove that our draft record is pretty good. Have faith in your own system, shopping around is what the Rangers do.
Plus I see the Isles are really struggling without Yashin.
Smyth is a character guy, like Peca, and he fits well with Nolan's style, but will he be here in October?
As for my 'real Islander fans' comment, how many have been up to Bridgeport this year? Nilsson has been setting up guys left and right but there are no finnishers up there. He's more a playmaker then a goal scorer, and lack of drive to the net is what set Nolan off.
Pronger and Samsanov are the only missing pieces to Edm. push last year. We know what a bust Samsanov was, he proved it this year in Montreal. Pronger on the other hand does alot more than he's given credit for (remember Denis Potvin).
Blake,Smyth,Kozlov,Zednik are all UFA's this July, good luck signing them all.
Glad to see that the Isles FINALLY made a move and not a sale. They got rid of 2 players who they were not going to test anywyas. First round this year will be NOTHING! After the 10 player drafted 11 - 50 will be all the same.
Isle Fan 4 Life
~Drive 4 Five Begins~
Even if Smyth stays for only a few months in an Islanders jersey and then returns to Canada, the contributions that he will make to the Islanders will be HUGE. What's wrong with "WIN NOW BABY" if ya got the $$$ to do it?? Too bad Edmonton... wah wah wah.
Simon was an idiot. The refs let the Rangers get away with murder and Simon saw that. This is what happens when a game is called so one sided. Players decide to deal out retribution. The only penalty on Avery was not a penalty at all. Oh, and give ex ranger coach collin "screw the islanders at every turn"campbell an assist.
Please return your rental by June 30th to avoid late fees.
signed: The Oilers
P.S Hows that post season push coming along??