After a three-day drought since their minimalist signing of Jonathan Sim on Day 1 of the NHL free agent market, the Islanders announced the addition today of left wing Ruslan Fedotenko. The seven-year veteran signed a one-year deal worth $2.9 million with the Isles.
The 28-year-old Ukrainian produced a career-low 12 goals last season while totaling 32 points. But he had a career-high 26 goals and 41 points the previous season, and he was a major player in Tampa Bay’s surprising Stanley Cup championship in 2004 when he tied Conn Smythe Trophy winner Brad Richards by scoring 12 goals in 22 playoff games, including both goals in the Lightning’s 2-1 Game 7 victory over Calgary.
“Ruslan brings so much to our team with his speed, versatility, work ethic and ability to score big goals,” Islanders general manager Garth Snow said in a statement released by the club. “He was one of Tampa Bay’s most valuable players when they won the Cup, and at 28, he’s just entering the prime of his career. I strongly believe [coach] Ted Nolan is going to get the most out of him.”
Fedotenko also was quoted in the statement, saying, “Last season was a disappointment for me, and I’m determined to show the Islanders and our fans what I can do…I really like Ted Nolan’s style of play. I looked at a lot of offers, but I’ve come to the right place.”
Comments (221)
3 million this year for Ruslan Fedetenko??? Are you freakin kidding me??? I was waiting for it to say it was a 3 year deal worth 3 million. But no sir re.
Ok, I guess it's something. But a one year deal? Maybe that's a good idea with a player coming off his career-worst year.
Another guy who had more goals than Gomez most of his career..
RAG CONTRACTION....
NEW YORK ISLANDERS, NEW YORK CITY'S ONLY HOCKEY TEAM...
LET'S GRAB SHANAHAN AND GET HIM OUT OF THAT HALF-FILLED CORPORATE DUMP THE KNICKS CALL HOME....
Screw Shanahan. Let him rot in retirement. I still hate him for the way he treated the Whalers when he was traded there.
it's a start... but not a very large one.... Put any spin on it you want, but I doubt this was part of the original game plan.
2.9 Million for a 3rd Line Winger? How much would a first line wing cost us?
Another Long Season to look foward to.Hey There some good names still out there!! but Hello Wake Up Garth.......
I have to agree that a one year contract for $2.9 mil seems a bit steep, especially considering that Fedotenko's numbers greatly dipped last year. Even after his career year when he won the cup, Tampa Bay signed him to a one year contract for $1.65 mil. Regardless, Fedontenko seems to have the right attitude. It's a nice change to see someone wanting to prove his worth to himself and Islander fans. I look forward to more activity from the front office.
who knows maybe fedotenko will be worth the money...he may flourish under Nolan and earn the $2.9 million...i like this signing...if he doesnt do well...then its only a one year contract, we can just dump him at the end of next season.
Why only one year? Didn't we learn our lesson? He'll get a lot more ice time with the Isles than the Bolts, but up better numbers, and then go somewhere else next season. Are we nothing more than a stepping stone?
Shanny won't retire. he likes yellow marshmellows the most. (psst, he's pink power ranger # 1). i like Shanny, he watches Barney with me on Fridays.
Happy 4 th to "The Man"
What Pierre Maguire has to say is of no interest to me. He's the same guy who was fired from all of his coaching jobs.
I am not a Ranger hater. I think they stole Cherepanov
and Staal certainly comes from good stock. I did read that he did not progress as well as expected last year. However, that could be one persons biased opinion. I have never seen him play so, I have no basis to judge.
I do recall Jamie Lundmark, Radek Dvorak and Pavel Brendel all being touted as the next Rangers superstars. Where are they now?
Hugh Jessiman, Lee Falardeau, Dan Blackburn and Filip Novak. Any of these names sound familiar?
Right, all Ranger # 1 picks. Being a high draft choice does not automatically insure success.
As for Gomez, I just don't think that he is that good.
Nylander-Jagr was a special combination and I think that Sather made a huge mistake breaking that combo up.
Gomez had great chemistry with Elias and Gionta and playing with them inflated his assists. Playing with Jagr is a bonus IF Jagr does not sulk over the loss of Nylander. We shall see.
Drury is the type of player who plays hard and I believe he will break down quickly. I think the same thing about Smyth. They probably have two top years left in them. After that it goes downhill.
Both Gomez and Drury were vastly overvalued as was Smyth. In my eyes they are all second tier players who are getting superstar money. You can throw Brierre into that mix, too.
My own opinion is that the NHL is on the downswing and that the next few years will see a big decrease in the Cap. These teams stuck with long term, huge salaries, will then regret these ridiculous contracts.
Without a viable TV contract where is this revenue coming from? Ticket prices are maxed out and all I saw on Versus this year were half empty buildings. When was the last time "Hockeytown" couldn't sell out playoff games?
Unless, I am missing something (and maybe I am)
I see the Cap dropping for the next few years. What happens then?
oops, typo.
"put up better number"
So we signed a guy for more money, dissapointing last season, and 1/2 the goals that kozlov had... while kozlov had a career season..and all he wanted was 2yrs 5 mill..job well done snow
Kozlov has a lot of Zs in it. my favorite letter is J.
So first everyone complains that the Isles won't pay marlet prices, then they complain when they do?
So first everyone complains that the Isles won't pay market prices, then they complain when they do?
you first, smurfette.
Since when was Kozlov ever a top notch player?
Fedetenko is a better player than Kozlov. Last year was an aberation for both players.
?,
Exactly, you made my point. The same people who were whining that we didn't keep Kozlov by overpaying him or now whining that we overpaid Fedetenko. Thats a contradiction.
why do you idiots care how much we paid? he's a good player!
There are intangibles involved with the Kozlov deal, including the fact that we booted his friend Yashin last month. Add to that that his style of play is distinctly European (when was the last time you really saw him throw his very large body around?) and you come up with a mis-match.
He makes for a very good fit with Washington, though, which is clearly trending Russian/European (building around Ovechkin). That's their mistake, though; they'll never win a Cup with the wide-open style.
So, the money made sense. Someone mentioned that Kozlov wanted 2.5 from the Islanders. Where was that established? I'm not crazy about Fedotenko, but there's definite potential.
We got a career year out of Kozlov and he still was virtually invisible for half the games. He's the kind of player you have to give a low-ball one year contract.
Anyone remember before he got here he was on Lamoriello's fourth line and barely used? There are
reason's he bounced around so much, he was not right for this team long-term and Nolan got a career set of games out of him..
Can we please stop discussing the Rangers moves on the Isles blog? Anyway, solid pickup for the Isles.
I'd check that Conn Smythe claim.
http://www.nhl.com/trophies/smythe.html
Fedetenko skates hard and goes the net, he's a better fit for Nolan's system than Kozlov.
when do we play the avs? i hope simon gives that girly looking sissy ryan smith a wack to the jaw!! he's on the same list as kirk muller as far as i'm concerned
I wouldn't compare him to Muller, who put zero effort into his time here. Wendel Clark is a better comparison. Didn't want to be here, but still played hard every shift.
Cool name and a fairly good scorer. A 1 yr try-out deal for $2.9 does seem a bit much on the 2.9 side. But hey, its a start. Theres still GUERIN, PECA and MCCABE. I'd like to see at least 1 of the 3 if not 2 if not ALL 3.
Brad Richards had the Conn Smythe, but Fedotenko shared the team-high for goals scored (12). Minor misinterpretation on Greg's part.
I'd rather Souray than McCabe. Sure, McCabe is a better player, but Souray will only cost us money, while we would have to give up something for McCabe.
mccabe would costy nothing the isles could get a first round pick for taking the comtract
Looks like Souray is going to the Devils, so if we are looking for D we might as well see if we can get Caber back cheep.
i would love to see Caber back! he's awesome! him and MAB on a PP would be great!!!
Right, the Leafs will just give him to us out of the kindness of their hearts.
i want to see TRENT HUNTER score 4O goals like he is capable of!!!! he can do iiiiiiit!
How many years are left on McCabe's rediculous contract?
McCabe has said he wouldnt mind coming back to LONG ISLAND. he could be an Islander again! and wouldnt that piss u off Anonymous dickhead?! LOL
The Laffs are looking to dump salary. Hence the reason why they are shopping Raycroft as well while signing their backup to a long term deal. We may well be able to get Caber back for not that much.
this would be great LEADERSHIP for the Islanders!!!!!!!
4 years for McCabe....Isles have no interest in Souray (who by the way is about to sign with NJ)....
I heard a rumor about Derek Morris and Steve Reinprecht
No, I like McCabe, get a reading lesson you crass loser.
just imagine if you will.....MCCABE taking BLAKES head off in an Isles/Leafs game?!?!?! YEAH BABY! come on GARTH!!!!!!!!!!
i love it.... hockeybuzz.com has an article this morning that tells of the horror happening at the box office....
"Islander fans have been making their discontent known since the UFA debacles of earlier this week. Many have blanketed the Islanders ticket office bewildering staff as they attempt to cancel season tickets or complain. At one point, all was left via phone was an answering machine."
i dont know about the fedetenko signing.... i like the player but only one year? after all the multi-year offers thrown at other players? and for three mil? they guy is a 20 goal a year average second to fourth line player... his career high was 26 goals (once).....
the money and the terms are baffling....
garth says we are building for the future and not looking to hire for the short term then goes out and signs a 3 mil one year contract????
keep buzzing the ticket office, folks.... cancel more tickets and maybe they will get the idea.....
We don't know that the one year deal was what Snow wanted, it may be all that Fedetenko would sign on for.
Well, looks like the Islanders got a ton faster than they were last year. That was really their problem. With Tambellini, Bergenheim and Rusty things don't look as bad as they appear.
I really don't think were are going to miss Kozlov, Poti or Blake. Blake is the only speed guy they had but he was so hated on this team his goals never ammounted to any emotional lift. Nor was anyone intersted in lifting a finger to stick up for him.
Might explain why many players took liberties when they hit em.
As far as Poti goes we have to "Poti Like" defensemen in Campolli and Gervaise. I'd rather see them replace Poti and Hill with younger Dmen with some size. That would give us Gervaise, Campolli and Bergeron who can score from the point along with Witt and two others that can clear the crease. I hope they sign Boynton to one of those slots.
I like this signing. We just just got got our version of Gomez( pretty much the same production)... Kid is tough and gets to the net... If we can get a Mike Peca (for on ice leadership),Mike Comerie and a top 4 D-man, sneakily we'd be building and speedy, tough, fun to watch team almost like the 05-06 Sabres... Garth, continue being patient.Also, who knows who we can pick up when teams hit abitration and cant ante up the reward. Patience, the team will be good, don't need big names, just a desire to win...
One last thing about the coliseum. It's not pretty but the sightlines are great and it gets awfully loud and its been critaclly applauded for both ... In the service, we got put in unbearable conditions, It made us tough as nails. Sooner than Later we need a new building or the team will move... But the building has character and a good place to build a winning team...
McCabe's contract
2007-08=$7.15m
2008-09=$6.15m
2009-10=$4.15m
2010-11=$4.15m
cap hit=$5.75m per season
you know, this isn't that bad of an idea. i'd rather do this than give souray the same type of contract. the question remains, how desperate are the leafs to get rid of him? i really have no desire to trade any youth away, so as someone mentioned above, they'd have to essentially give him to us for nothing. you guys have talked me into it. unfortunatley, i'm not the GM.
Blakevin;
If all goes bad we can deal Rusty at the deadline for a few prospects. Especially to a team that just bulked up in UFAs and are nervous about looking bad. Rusty has speed and can score not to mention a post season resume.
This is a good signing for the now and launching point to work something out for prospects. There are a lot dope GMs in this league that can be had. Judging by all the stupid contracts handed out there are more of them than we may think.
It's possible to pick some pockets later on with this signing.
Wouldn't it be nice if they'd take Bates for McCabe :)
"Nor was anyone intersted in lifting a finger to stick up for him." - Caesar
Exactly. I can remember on numerous occasions watching Blake get run and no one one the Isles really helping him out.
This "Tank" signing is a bit odd $2.9 seems a bit much. The guy plays hard and skates well, I think he'll be good for us this year. We need more action! We need a hard-hitting Defensive defencemen, with speed.
Happy 4th to Bill!
Bill wrote:
Hugh Jessiman, Lee Falardeau, Dan Blackburn and Filip Novak. Any of these names sound familiar?
Right, all Ranger # 1 picks. Being a high draft choice does not automatically insure success.>>
While what you wrote above is true. It is clear that the Rangers have drafted great over the last 5 years.
Think about it. Lundquivst, Prucha, Callahan, Girardi, Tyutin.
Those 5 are starting and making an impact on the team and NOT ONE of them is even a first round draft choice!
As a matter of fact, Lundquivst was chosen in the late rounds. He was a Vezina trophy finalist this year. Was DiPietro? What round was he chosen in? Oh yeah, that's right, he was THE #1 OVERALL PICK.
Just because Pierre McGuire was fired from a coaching job, does that mean that he is not an astute Hockey Analyst. That is moronic Bill! He has actually SEEN CHEREPANOV AND STAAL PLAY and he was raving about both of them. He said that Staal is going to be unbelievably good. I have never seen him play so I must rely on the experts.
Bill wrote:
"Gomez is not that good and DRury will break down"
Gomez has been an all star and was the Calder trophy winner as rookie of the year. Drury shows no signs of breaking down. He has been durable and had his best season ever last year statistically. But, we all know that he brings the type of intangibles that a winning team needs.
As far as the cap going down, this is delusional. It will continue to rise in small increments.
Your post is full of wishful thinking from a Islander perspective. All Islander fans will have to hope for and pray for this year is that the Rangers don't do well. Your own team is a disaster.
Well, that settles it - We are officially real cup contenders now!
Tell those Anaheim guys not to ding it up too bad because we insist it be in good condition when we take possession next June.
Greg,
Just to clarify, I'm Ukrainian, not Russian.
Fedetenko is a good signing. Off a low season he will be hungry. He might use the Isles as a stepping stone (as said earlier), but in Pro Sports everyones out for themselves anyway. He has seen how other players have improved their numbers and then cashed in.
Doesn't really matter, just keep signing players with something to prove and looking for ice time. As long as Nolan has hungry, hard working players to work with, the Isles can do some damage.
If I had my choice of a good team or a Star Player, I'd take the team. I won't pay to see a game live if I don't see strong team play. I guess others are content to watch a star player skate up and down the ice.
Kevin T.
The Tampa Bay Lightning won the 2004 Stanley Cup Championship on June 7, 2004!
Off the Net...
"Ruslan Fedotenko led the series with 12 goals- and was nicknamed the new 'Mr. Clutch' by his teammates. He not only shined throughout the series, he managed to score the ONLY TWO goals of the Lightning in Game 7."
I have nothing against Fedo. It's just the principle of giving him $2.9 mill. Garth basically doubled his salary. Who else was going to pay him almost $3 mill?
I have nothing against Fedo. It's just the principle of giving him $2.9 mill. Garth basically doubled his salary. Who else was going to pay him almost $3 mill?
I will add, to compare Kozlov and this guy is just dumb. I agree with Kev on the fact that we need to bring guys in here with something to prove. Also, if the Isles do prove to be a good team next year with the guys they have, all of the whinning and crying fans I hope you stay home and don't support the team. cause you don't deserve to be part of it.
i have an idea lets sign peter prucha to a 1.2 million dollar offer sheet he would thrive as a second line winger and it would only cost us a third round pick. at the very least the rangers have to match it and they lose cap room. the guy is young and is on the third or fourth line on the rags he would be a second line player with lots of ice time with us maybe he will score 30 again. what do u think about that.
My kneejerk is no to McCabe, but with the cap hit only being 5.75... I could live with it if we traded a replaceable role player (Meyer, Bates, Park, Hilbert etc.)
I'm sure there were other offers for Fedetenko and Garth paid what he needed to pay in order to be competetive with other bids. Heck, some teams are paying $51.5 million for guys who scored less than 20 goals...
the Isles will get one, or more, of the following...
McCabe
Peca
Guerin
Murray
Great signing. I live in Tampa, and maybe it's just my perspective, as I pretty much only watched lightning (local TV) and isles (center ice pkg) all season long, but I think this guy will be very very good for us. He did not get the ice time under torterella (sp?) he will get with the isles, as the lightning already have their 3 big stars.
My whole family (old school isles fans) has been freaking out all week because of the mass exodus from the island, and the signings in the rest of the atlantic div. I'm also not thrilled with the events that have transpired, but I keep telling my family the same things I'm starting to hear more & more on this blog- things are going to be fine. The contracts thrown out there on sun & mon are just insane, and crippling. Look @ the teams who made the biggest (read: money & contract years based on past performance) signings- rangers, philly, colorado, washington. These teams have a history of throwing money @ big players. Of these teams, only colorado has won in the last 13 yrs. The other teams? Devils, RedWings, Stars? You don't see them throwing money after 13 goal scorers. The isles are doing the right thing- the $$ for these FAs is simply not worth it. Sure, it sucks b/c we did leverage some "prospects" for smyth, and yes we were willing to spend a lot of $$ on him, but please- he wasn't going to win us a cup. Look @ anaheim, look @ buffalo, look @ carolina, look @ the oilers...they are (were) smart, hardworking, d-first teams for whom things fell in the right place at the right time. Us? we were one Steve Begin skate, 2 leg injuries (yashin & martinek), 1 steroid scandal & 1 family problem (Zednik) away from a similarly long run in the playoffs. NONE OF THIS IS MGMT's FAULT! Stop freaking out, show some support, and go to games! By not going, or going and throwing stuff on the ice, you're the reason Smyth doesn't stay!
Fedotenko, what a joke!
teppo numminen, andy sutton, vitaly vishnevski would be a nice way to fill in some of the gaps on the blue-line.
@ tom and everyone else complaining- want to give up? go. don't come back here, don't go to another islander game. don't come back. no team needs fair weather fans like yourself. you're what people can't stand about NY sports- stab "your own" team in the back when they're not on top of everything.
Your options are: a)stay and support this team through it all, b)stop being a fan (and therefore stop posting here), or c)complain until the islanders move and you no longer have to associate your home island with a historic franchise. Whats your move? What would make you happy? Personally, I choose a, because like any sports fan, knowing you're there through the tough times makes the good times that much better. Remember ranger fans in '94? Remember red sox fans in '04? Thats what I'll wait for...even if I, like the good fans of the chicago cubs, have to wait a lifetime.
Numminen resigned with the Sabres today.
Last year we had Blake,Yashin,Smyth,Kozlov and Poti and we still couldn't compete with Ottawa, N.J.,Buffalo and the other top teams.It seems like the Isles fans on this blog are reacting like Garth just broke up the '81,'82 Islanders.Get real people.We had a fun year last year(Garth and Ted did a GREAT job) but the team WITH those players was not that good.So we lose Blake,Poti, Kozlov,Smyth and Yashin.We weren't going to win with them anyway!Let Garth do his job.Give him a chance.Blake was not worth 5 years.I'm glad Yashin is gone and Poti and Kozlov are replaceable. And if "Mr.Canada" wants to be in Denver over L.I.,then good riddence.(Why anyone would rather live in Denver than on L.I. is beyond me. Denver is a dump city in the middle of nowhere).Garth is trying to build a team with heart,speed and skill.I say go,Garth go.The Rags SUCK and will always SUCK.We've been kickin' their asses since JP Parise in '75 and will do it again this year. GO ISLES!!!!!!
NYisles82 said it all... real fans support the team. Teddy and Garth haven't given us any reason to doubt... stop crying that Smyth didn't resign... that wasn't their fault. I am a little pissed that they only signed Fedetenko to 1 year though. The logical thing to do is to wait and see what the on-ice production will be before flipping out. Can we say fair-weather?
ranger fan named tom stalking the islander blog,,,,,what a bigger joke!!
Deal with the Devils
Following reports from thefourthperiod.com, The NHL Line has learned that unrestricted free agent defenceman Sheldon Souray has agreed to a multi-year contract with the New Jersey Devils. The rumoured price at $6 million may be a little high according to sources, it could be around $5 - 5.5 million. More to Come.
UPDATED 5:48PM: The length of the contract is speculated to be between 4 and 6 years.
UPDATED: 5:43PM ET: A source has now informed us that the paperwork has not been completely 100% finalized but in do time it will be. Souray has agreed to certain terms with the Devils but still are going over a few areas. "An agreement has been reached upon in a way, meaning Souray has made it clear to them he is signing with the team." It remains to be seen what the hold up is, it could be a NTC, as reported earlier.
Hey Logan you suck
Hey Logan you suck
Patience is a Virtue Gluttony is one of the Seven Deadly Sins.
I like this though.......
I am hearing that the Islanders and Sabres are both closing in on MIke Comrie..There has not been tht much talk today compared to what we have seen in the last four days...There is generally a fourth of July break of sorst and then an explosion on the 5th....We really need to get this UFA signing period away from Canada Day and the Fourth...
GET Andy Sutton
The Atlantic division is going to be beastly next year.
Souray to the Devils, interesting. Does this mean that the Devils are moving away from their established system? Souray and the trap don't seem to go together naturally.
I see the Isles are after Comrie. I say lock him up for 4-5 years. Still young, speedy, can score goals, knows how to make a great pass, gritty and aggressive.. 60 and 45 points last two seasons respectively. I think he would fit the Isles better than Gomez AND he's cheaper.
Guess the Sabres are 1st in line though.
I said it under Blakes Blog and I'll say it under this one....
Most of you guys aren't real fans. Your only a fan when your team wins. I understand your comments come out of frustration and no one likes to see there team lose but under the same token if you were a pro NHL player would you want to play for a team that no one supports. Stop bitchin that we couldn't sign any of the top tier guys(they didn't want to be hear) and support who were picking up now. Fedotenko was a decent pick up, he can play some good hockey! All of you guys posting that this is a joke, and that your cancelling your tickets, and the organization and management don't know what they are doing only fuel the retard rags fans who hang around this site. It isn't who is on this team but how they play together and with Nolan leadership we have good things coming. We didn't have any "stars" last season and we still made the playoffs, oh and managed to beat the piss out of the rangers.
NYisles82, themass, see you on opening day!!!!
Come on Snow, add a couple of more pieces to the puzzle to at least make this team decent. Let the Rangers hand out two crazy contracts! how long have they been doing that? I will laugh when they fall! Mike Comrie would be a nice guy to bring in to center for Tank and Satan. We need a couple of Dmen also. Lets do this Garth! Plenty of cap room
Come on Snow, add a couple of more pieces to the puzzle to at least make this team decent. Let the Rangers hand out two crazy contracts! how long have they been doing that? I will laugh when they fall! Mike Comrie would be a nice guy to bring in to center for Tank and Satan. We need a couple of Dmen also. Lets do this Garth! Plenty of cap room
If the Isles can land Comrie they are in great shape for next season. Bergenheim may not replace Blake's 40 goals but he'll certainly not wind up a +1 for the season.
For Blake to be on as good a 5 on 5 team as the Islanders were and wind up a +1 is pretty sad. He had 26 even strength goals and canceled 25 of them out. The other 14 came on the PP.
Bergenheim could pot 20 and wind up a +10. 16 of those being 5 on 5. Much better than what we had in Blake where the opposition always answered back after Blake scored a goal.
If they land Comrie they can go after either Scatchard or Oneil to center their third or fourth line. That gives us at least three centers up the middle capable of scoring 20 apiece. A much more versatile line up than we've had for quite some time.
And a better lineup than the one that started last year. Also a roster with tradeable assetts. Bates would be a good dishoff for any contending team looking for a role player. Particularly their PK.
oh nooooooooo..not ruslan fedetenko!!!...the isles have put terror into the whole leauge with him. feddy and sim should be a dynamic duo, thats simply unstoppable.
if u guys get comrie, the rest of the leauge may fold seein how good the isles will be. just a tip, if comrie comes it will be about the 5th team that gave up on him. dont all u go shooting ur loads now
7.7 SECONDS LEFT AND THE RANGERS BLOW IT!!!!....OUCH
Speed kills and we are getting faster! The Sabres had a fast team last year and that was one major reason for their success. We will add some more pieces to the puzzle. We have the most underrated coach in the league. Nolan makes things happen. Our team will be ready to play every night. I like the idea of Hunter getting more ice time and parlaying that with his leadership skills. Rusty was one of those guys that really played well when Tampa Bay won the cup. I like that they are taking a chance on a guy who has a chip on his shoulder with something to prove. We want players like that who want to play on the Island. Good move Snow, not lets land a couple of more hungry players. Also I understand that Ranger fans are happy with Drury, but lets face it Nylander was the heart and soul of that team. That is a big loss and they do not even realize it.