My Forward Plan for the Islanders at Deadline

New York Islander Fan Central | 2/01/2009 12:51:00 PM |
There are about fifteen games (thirty one odd days) left until the trade deadline so I felt a good time to look at the forwards and what my plan would be looking ahead.

I could be wrong but I do not see higher than a second round pick at the very most for a Doug Weight or a Bill Guerin who may not even waive his NTC regardless.

If another team did make such an offer I would have to move Weight which may bring Guerin to waive his NTC.

Having written this Weight and Guerin are not the problem with the 2008-09 club, they are not going to score a ton of big goals but will get their numbers if healthy and provide a solid veteran presence. I have seen no dramatic decline in either one of these players that tells me they cannot contribute next season.

Weight is having a fantastic statistical season on the powerplay.

What needs to happen for Garth Snow is they need to address the size, skill, scoring problem. The prospects are not going anywhere (aside from maybe Tambellini who for some reason may be out of the mix for good) unless a top prospect is the return so forget Nielsen, Comeau and Bergenheim moving.

Bailey and Okposo will not enter discussion.

I think it's Weight or Comrie, not both with Nielsen and Bailey locked in down the middle.

That brings us to where Garth Snow has to remake his roster which means Richard Park, Andy Hilbert, Mike Comrie, Nate Thompson and Tim Jackman. Never say never but I do not see Trent Hunter in a trade unless it really improves the club.

This is where they have to add in some twenty goal scorers to make a skilled play, along with other players who can score with size. Players with grit who cannot score more then ten goals are not going to address the problems who are not big or physical.

Easy to do? Not at all or it would have happened.

That would be my template moving forward. Resign Guerin/Weight if the offers do not give a second or better and let them be the veteran nucleus with the kids.

I have little doubt Garth Snow will be able to land some players in UFA if the money is right. So many clubs are capped out there is no choice for many teams but to walk away from players.

Defense is for another day soon.






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