Islanders website: Reports the New York Islanders have acquired defenseman Ty Wishart from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for goaltender Dwayne Roloson. Wishart will report to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
Wishart, 22, was the San Jose Sharks’ first round draft choice, 16th overall, in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. Currently in his third professional season, the 6’4”, 222-pound defenseman from Belleville, ON, has 18 points (four goals, 14 assists) in 31 games with the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League.
Canadian Press: Has comments from Tampa GM, Steve Yzerman.
"In this trade we give up a promising, former first-round pick. We wish him luck in the Islanders organization," Lightning GM Steve Yzerman said in a statement. "In Roloson we have acquired a proven, veteran goaltender who will provide stability in net."
Nate Lawson is expected to join the Islanders in Calgary.
NYIFC Comments:
I know nothing of Ty Wishart beyond him being traded from San Jose to Tampa for Dan Boyle, his size is an element the Islander prospects lack.
As for Garth Snow this is a very risky move on several levels given what Dwayne Roloson may have brought in a later trade (first round pick/NHL forward) and how well he has played for this team over two seasons, to say nothing of DiPietro's recent health status.
Roloson was a respected/calming influence on this team, and kept them in many games.
At best, this means another defensive prospect (who could not crack Tampa's mediocre defense) already joins an already very young defense, who need to provide a spot for Calvin deHaan and many prospects next season and moving forward. There are many defensive prospects already in Bridgeport. Garth Snow signed Jack Hillen, who claimed it was like adding a first rounder.
Bridgeport's roster and performance of Figren, Marcinko, Joensuu mandated a forward prospect be brought in with a first-round background over a defender. Kohn, Katic, Klementyev, Ness, Kessel, Donovan suggest they have plenty of defensive prospect depth to the point Jared Spurgeon and Jyri Niemi were traded/not signed.
Spurgeon has played in the NHL for the Wild this season.
The competition for Roloson could have brought a better return near the deadline, it also may have helped the Islanders maintain their recent win streak and move up the standings so this will not go over well when it does not replace Jon Sim or Dylan Reese, Bruno Gervais.
Of course there are two sides to this.
What if Vokoun or Brodeur hit the market at the trade deadline or Rolson plays as he did in the second half of last season or he does get injured? The Flyers were not desperate last season, neither were Washington, Chicago and a lot of teams that needed goaltending on deadline day would not pay the price.
This is similar to the St Louis-Montreal trade.
The Islanders have a lot of prospect defenders and on paper few spots, this one is a former first round pick and he has size most of these other players lack.
This officially ends the three goalie system in Bridgeport. If Rick DiPietro's knee swelling returns or he is ineffective, this means two goaltenders immediately go into the NHL off Nate Lawson's one start. It likely means Anders Nilsson has a place to play next season and a contract.
Very risky move on a lot of levels, this does not seem to solve any need in the short-term, and is questionable in the long-term.
The eighth place team in this division is five games over five hundred, the Islanders are eight games under/16 points/five teams below them.
Sure the standings scream it does not matter but whether it be DiPietro/Lawson or someone else they have to be the teams best player most nights lately facing 30+ shots.
Of course you wish Dwayne Roloson nothing but the best in departing.
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