Islanders Busy at Deadline
Islanders Busy at Deadline
With the previous additions of two veteran players down the stretch run (Gary Valk from the Habs, and the Teppo Numinen from the Leafs), Islander GM Ryan Long was expecting to stand pat for the rest of the season. However as the deadline loomed, Long put out feelers for 2 more additions the day before the deadline. “ We were after one more veteran winger and a veteran defenseman as well. Rumours have them targeting Buffalo`s John Leclair as someone who would fit perfectly. However after several phonecalls and emails to the Sabres GM Brad Stevens went unanswered, and the Islanders were unable to land Big John.
The Islanders also had discussions with Boston around Fran Kaberle, but were unable to come to an agreement. Kaberle seemed to be a hot commodity, and Bruins GM Joshua Anderson wasn`t interested in what the Isles were offering.
Gnashing his teeth in frustration, Long was worried he wouldn`t be able to fill the 2 needs he wanted, and despite his team finishing the season 9-1, was resigned to the fact that his team wasn`t going to be complete going into the playoffs. However, in the final hrs before the deadline, the Isles were able to make not only 1, but 2 deals to get the types of guys they were coveting.
“With about an hr to go before the deadline, we received a phonecall from Calgary GM Josh Howell, who had heard through the grapevine that we were after a veteran stud defenseman, and said he had just what we were after, in Keith Carney. The asking price wasn`t cheap (young defenseman Ron Hainsey), but the Flames were willing to include 18 yr old Brian Bickell, and a pair of picks to get the deal done. In the end, we`re very happy with the addition of Carney, who is a stay at home defenseman, who has been hitting everyone on skates this season. Add that to the fact that we didn`t have to give up anyone off our starting lineup to get him [Ron Hainsey was stuck on the Islander farm club purely due to a salary cap issue], and we`re very happy. Carney is signed for 2 more years at a paltry $750,000/yr salary, so we`re delighted to have that sort of value for the future. We lose a young Dman in the process, but with Christian Erhoff`s development on the big club this yr [45 points and a team leading +44], and we have Leonid Zvachin waiting on the farm we`ve got a pair of young studly Dmen. Add to that Jones and Meech likely making the jump from Jrs this offseason, and our blueline future looks promising. So to get a vet for the playoffs, who will remain with the team for a very cheap cap hit, this offer was just too good to pass up for us.” In 81 games this season, Carney had 9 goals, 22 assists and was a +19. He`s also registered 209 hits.
The Islanders 2nd need (Veteran forward) was a last minute deal, as Long received a call from the GM of the New Jersey Devils, looking to jettison age for youth after falling just short of a playoff spot. Talks were short and sweet between the 2 GMs, and the Islanders soon found themselves with Dean McCammond headed their way. The price was again not cheap, as the Islanders gave up their best Jr (Karl Stewart), a 2nd round pick next yr, and the always-steady Stephen Webb. “This deal wasn`t easy to make, as Stewart is going to be a stud in this league very soon. However, even harder to lose was Stephen Webb, who has been with the team since the league started, and was part of both of our Stanley Cup Winning teams. His loss will leave a huge hole in our locker room, and in protecting our star players out on the ice.” However, nothing good comes cheap, and Long was prepared to pay the price for a player like Dean McCammond. “Adding a vet like Dean was the final piece to the puzzle for us. He`s an offensively gifted player, who is able to play all 3 forward positions. We hope to be on a long playoff run, so you need to be able to slot guys into different positions as injuries occur. Dean gives us that flexibility without having to sacrifice talent for a healthy body.
Webb`s departure means there are only 3 Islander Players left over from the team that won the Stanley Cup in Season 1 (Mike Peca, Daniel Sedin and Shawn Bates).
With the previous additions of two veteran players down the stretch run (Gary Valk from the Habs, and the Teppo Numinen from the Leafs), Islander GM Ryan Long was expecting to stand pat for the rest of the season. However as the deadline loomed, Long put out feelers for 2 more additions the day before the deadline. “ We were after one more veteran winger and a veteran defenseman as well. Rumours have them targeting Buffalo`s John Leclair as someone who would fit perfectly. However after several phonecalls and emails to the Sabres GM Brad Stevens went unanswered, and the Islanders were unable to land Big John.
The Islanders also had discussions with Boston around Fran Kaberle, but were unable to come to an agreement. Kaberle seemed to be a hot commodity, and Bruins GM Joshua Anderson wasn`t interested in what the Isles were offering.
Gnashing his teeth in frustration, Long was worried he wouldn`t be able to fill the 2 needs he wanted, and despite his team finishing the season 9-1, was resigned to the fact that his team wasn`t going to be complete going into the playoffs. However, in the final hrs before the deadline, the Isles were able to make not only 1, but 2 deals to get the types of guys they were coveting.
“With about an hr to go before the deadline, we received a phonecall from Calgary GM Josh Howell, who had heard through the grapevine that we were after a veteran stud defenseman, and said he had just what we were after, in Keith Carney. The asking price wasn`t cheap (young defenseman Ron Hainsey), but the Flames were willing to include 18 yr old Brian Bickell, and a pair of picks to get the deal done. In the end, we`re very happy with the addition of Carney, who is a stay at home defenseman, who has been hitting everyone on skates this season. Add that to the fact that we didn`t have to give up anyone off our starting lineup to get him [Ron Hainsey was stuck on the Islander farm club purely due to a salary cap issue], and we`re very happy. Carney is signed for 2 more years at a paltry $750,000/yr salary, so we`re delighted to have that sort of value for the future. We lose a young Dman in the process, but with Christian Erhoff`s development on the big club this yr [45 points and a team leading +44], and we have Leonid Zvachin waiting on the farm we`ve got a pair of young studly Dmen. Add to that Jones and Meech likely making the jump from Jrs this offseason, and our blueline future looks promising. So to get a vet for the playoffs, who will remain with the team for a very cheap cap hit, this offer was just too good to pass up for us.” In 81 games this season, Carney had 9 goals, 22 assists and was a +19. He`s also registered 209 hits.
The Islanders 2nd need (Veteran forward) was a last minute deal, as Long received a call from the GM of the New Jersey Devils, looking to jettison age for youth after falling just short of a playoff spot. Talks were short and sweet between the 2 GMs, and the Islanders soon found themselves with Dean McCammond headed their way. The price was again not cheap, as the Islanders gave up their best Jr (Karl Stewart), a 2nd round pick next yr, and the always-steady Stephen Webb. “This deal wasn`t easy to make, as Stewart is going to be a stud in this league very soon. However, even harder to lose was Stephen Webb, who has been with the team since the league started, and was part of both of our Stanley Cup Winning teams. His loss will leave a huge hole in our locker room, and in protecting our star players out on the ice.” However, nothing good comes cheap, and Long was prepared to pay the price for a player like Dean McCammond. “Adding a vet like Dean was the final piece to the puzzle for us. He`s an offensively gifted player, who is able to play all 3 forward positions. We hope to be on a long playoff run, so you need to be able to slot guys into different positions as injuries occur. Dean gives us that flexibility without having to sacrifice talent for a healthy body.
Webb`s departure means there are only 3 Islander Players left over from the team that won the Stanley Cup in Season 1 (Mike Peca, Daniel Sedin and Shawn Bates).
posted by Longer at 11:58 PM
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