Islander News Articles 2/25

New York Islander Fan Central | 2/25/2008 06:02:00 AM | | | | | | | | | |
Newsday: Greg Logan reports NHL sources say the Islanders are fielding offers for forwards Miroslav Satan, Ruslan Fedotenko and Mike Comrie, all of whom are headed to free agency this summer and that the real offers start coming in today.

Garth Snow would like to sign Comrie by tomorrow if he agrees to fit in the salary slot for a second-line center. A lot more speculation here dominates the article with only one unnamed Western Conference personnel expert comments.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
At this point it's up to everyone to separate the fact from the fancy and as always, it is interesting how un-named NHL sources always seem to know the Isles business and talk to the local media which was the same back when Mike Milbury was general manager.

You do not see this as much with the Devils or Rangers.

We will get our answers today or tomorrow. With a game scheduled tomorrow night a sign to look for are possible call ups from Bridgeport in advance to replace traded players to fill a lineup.

Newsday: Greg Logan had a late blog on Bryan McCabe with all the twists and turns from most of the last year including the Sun article posted here last night where he said he did not want to be traded but would be interested if Cliff Fletcher approached him. His speculation is the Islanders would want the Leafs first rounder to take McCabe's contract.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
That's my price to add McCabe to the Islander roster and take the Leafs off the hook for his salary. I think Cliff Fletcher would get a lot of grief for trading a top ten pick for a franchise desperate for top draft picks and a rebuilding and doubt the Leafs will part with the pick under any circumstances.

Just remember this is the same Cliff Fletcher who gave the Islanders a first round pick with Kenny Jonsson a long time ago. It says a lot about McCabe if they go to that extreme to move him when a buyout is not part of a no-movement clause according to section 11.8 (b) of the CBA:

A no-move clause may prevent the involuntary relocation of a Player, whether by Trade, Loan or Waiver claim. A no-move clause, however, may not restrict the Club's buy-out and termination rights as set forth in this Agreement.

I also find it hard to see the Islanders having this many defenders under contract going into next season. McCabe, Witt and Sutton all take up over ten million of cap space and none of them are complete defenders who can be considered top two defenders. To do this leaves no space for a franchise defender to solve the problem and limits money to improve the offense with top six forwards.

Pittburgh Tribune Review: Rob Rossi reports Pens Goaltender would love to return from injury and start against the Islanders on Tuesday. He started five games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and went 3-2-0 with a 1.41 goals-against average and a
.950 save percentage

NYI Fan Central Comments:
That team has stepped up huge with Crosby and Fleury out, a ton of credit to the Pens who have proven they are far more than about one player and will be a very dangerous team down the stretch. Mike Terrien for all his critics pushes hard and gets results.

Espn.com: EJ Hradek obviously does not feel the way David Amber does about the Butch Goring trade but reviews some other past trades.
Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio reports on the Sound Tigers shootout loss to Albany with Mike Morrison and Jeff Tambellini's comments.

Micheal Haley got back into the lineup, replacing Justin Bourne. Jeff Dwyer and Andy Sertich were scratched again on defense. Walter was out, the team hopes for the last time, and Kip Brennan served the eighth game of his 15-game suspension.

The three papers covering the River Rats seemed to have provided AP/Staff reports on the game unless the Troy Record here has an update later.

Check back for more incoming updates: