Islanders Add Mr Norris

After trading Sergei Zubov away to the Calgary Flames for Wryan Whitney and a 1^st round draft pick, Islander GM Ryan Long was on the lookout for another veteran defenceman to support Zdeno Chara. “We were looking for another stellar blueliner, and we ended up getting the best of the best”.

The Islanders sent the 1^st rounder from the Zubov trade, winger Pavol Datsyuk and Kimmo Timmonen to the Phoenix Coyotes. In return, the received Niklas “Norris” Lidstrom and a 2^nd round pick next year.

“Nik has been the premier Dman the past 5 seasons in CLUTCH, as evidenced by his winning the Norris Trophy every year since the league begun. With him, Chara and Andy Delmore, we feel we have the best top 3 Dmen in the league. Add in Teppo Numminen, Keith Carney and Christian Ehroff, and we have the blueline squad to definitely push for a Stanley Cup repeat.

Lidstrom was obviously happy to join the reigning champions. “I`ve won individual awards, as well as international championships.

However the ultimate prize is the Stanley Cup, and the Islanders` have demonstrated they have what it takes to win. Hopefully, I can help them become the first back-to-back CLUTCH champions.”