Islanders Trade for Depth

The New York Islanders made 3 separate deals over the weekend, to add a pair of players in the team’s quest for a repeat title.

In the first deal, the Islanders dealt a draft pick and cash to the Columbus Blue Jackets in return for veteran forward Brian Smolinski. “The addition of Brian gives us a forward, who can play any of the positions up front. He can play the PK, and brings a boatload of leadership and experience.” Smolinski gives the Islanders a reserve should someone be injured, a likely scenario given the number of teams determined to “goon-up” against the New York Club.

With the addition of Smolinski, the Islanders were looking to drop some salary, and shipped defenseman Jason Crain to the St. Louis Blues for a 5^th round draft pick this year. Crain, 26, could develop into a solid Dman in the future. However his contract of 1.6 million meant that he couldn’t be sent to the farm and he was taking too much cap space for someone who “could develop”.

To take Crain’s place, the Islanders then sent a 5^th rounder for next year to the Dallas Stars, and received back defenceman Yannick Tremblay, who was toiling on the Stars’ farn team. Tremblay will become the Islander’s 7^th Dman, and is looking forward to competing this year. “I had a decent season last year, with 10 goals and 24 assists, and was very disappointed to be stuck on the farm. However the Stars have a great stable of Dmen on the pro squad, so I’m just glad GM Flip Sides granted my wish and traded me to somewhere I had a chance to play.”

It remains to be seen how much ice-time Tremblay will get, but he’s scheduled to start on the fourth line on the next game on Thursday when the Islanders host the surging Hurricanes.