Islanders Trade Rumors

"Neither Wang nor Snow was happy with Nolan when he expressed some concern near the end of the season about going into the final year of his three-year contract without an extension. But when Snow was asked if there's any reason to believe Nolan won't return, he said, "I don't see any reason. He's our coach."Snow said he expects to sit down with Nolan within the next week to discuss the past season and what lies ahead."

"Although Snow and Nolan both may have signed off on all personnel decisions, they certainly weren't always in agreement. Wang said their differences make for healthy debate. But approaching the final season of his three-year contract, Nolan recently expressed concern that no extension has been offered, putting him in the position of a lame duck and raising questions about the organization's commitment to him."

"Nevertheless, there is considerable doubt within the organization about whether Nolan is the right man to coach a team that will be stocked next season with youngsters. Owner Charles Wang will meet with general manager Garth Snow and perhaps others on the hockey committee to discuss whether Nolan has the combination of patience and teaching ability that will allow the kids to grow."

"As for McCabe, he once again was asked about the possibility of leaving during off-season housecleaning. Various reports suggest the Leafs will try to move him to the Islanders, since his off-season home is on Long Island."

"If Tortorella gets bounced in the off-season, and that's a strong possibility with Tampa's ownership changing hands, he won't be out of work long. It's believed the Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders and the Ottawa Senators are ready to at least speak to Tortorella if he becomes available."

"If there's one major question about an Islanders season that has come apart at the seams largely because of an injury list numbering 11 players, it's where coach Ted Nolan stands with the organization. Nearing the end of the second season of his three-year deal, the club has yet to approach him about a contract extension that would put an end to speculation about his "lame duck" status for next season."

"Islanders coach Ted Nolan has a year left on his contract - he, unlike Neil Smith, actually signed his agreement with owner Charles Wang - so there is little chance he will be dismissed this summer even given the recent clashes with Rick DiPietro."

"However Satan, who has 14 goals and 21 assists this season, has a no-trade clause, making it unclear whether he would allow a potential deal to go through."

"The Rangers believe they're a playoff team. But they're hardly secure enough in the standings - or loaded with so much future cap space - to trade high picks and prized prospects for a short-term rental or long-term contract... The Isles can't afford to trade more draft picks and prospects from a cupboard that already is thin and GM Garth Snow will spend much of today trying to sign centers Mike Comrie and Josef Vasicek to new contracts."

"The Wings, in the midst of a 1-7-1 slump, need some scoring punch. They are reportedly interested in former Wing Sergei Fedorov, now with Columbus. Among other possibilities are Marian Hossa (Atlanta), Mike Comrie (N.Y. Islanders) and Ladislav Nagy (Los Angeles)."

"That's why Snow is trying to sign Mike Comrie to an extension, though we're told No. 89 seems to be overestimating his value. If the Islanders can't lock him up by Tuesday, chances are he'll be gone at the deadline. There are six weeks to go. Comrie might go. If Miro Satan waives his no-trade, he'll probably go."

"Ruslan Fedotenko scored his sixth goal in nine games in yesterday's 4-2 loss to the Devils, but he's one of several Isles forwards who could be bait at Tuesday's NHL trade deadline because he's in the final year of his contract. The Islanders signed his linemate, Trent Hunter, to a five-year extension Friday night, but Fedotenko said his situation remains unresolved."

"The ChicagoBlackhawks have discussed dealing centre Tuomo Ruutu to the Pittsburgh Penguins. - The Florida Panthers have told teams they'd rather not give up captain Olli Jokinen because they remain in the playoff hunt in the Southeast Division. There's talk Florida might bring in Los Angeles left winger Ladislav Nagy. - The New York Islanders are trying to re-sign centre Mike Comrie, who is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. GM Garth Snow said he has been pleased with Comrie's play and the two sides are looking at a long-term contract. "

"There's a belief the New York Islanders have held talks with the Leafs to bring back Bryan McCabe, who would have to waive his no-trade clause ... While the Montreal has been linked to Mats Sundin, sources say they're a bigger player for Marian Hossa or Flames' Alex Tanguay."

"Despite an off season in which he has scored only eight goals, Trent Hunter often has been cited by coach Ted Nolan and general manager Garth Snow as an example of hard work and team-first play. Still, that lack of production has been a deterrent in contract talks with the free-agent-to-be approaching the Feb. 26 trade deadline."

"More than a dozen NHL scouts have watched the Islanders' past two games, with Toronto's Mats Sundin and Atlanta's Marian Hossa among the biggest names said to be available before the Feb. 26 trade deadline. It looks less likely that GM Garth Snow will be tempted to pawn off his own players at the deadline, as several potential trade pieces have rallied to keep the Isles firmly in the mix in the Eastern Conference with three straight wins following a seven-game winless streak. "

"This season, Waddell is probably a seller. Atlanta’s Marian Hossa, one of the premier wings in the league, can become an unrestricted free agent July 1. Waddell faces the quandary of holding on to Hossa for a tight playoff race or dealing him at the deadline to avoid losing him for nothing. Buffalo (defenseman Brian Campbell), the Islanders (forward Miroslav Satan) and Tampa Bay (forward Vaclav Prospal) are in the same situation."

"If Howson is a buyer, here are two names to keep in mind: Mike Comrie of the New York Islanders and Vaclav Prospal of Tampa Bay, both unrestricted free agents this summer. Comrie would cost more than Prospal -- and the Islanders aren't out of it yet -- but neither would require fully mortgaging the Jackets' future."

"Scouts from 13 NHL teams attended Thursday night's Leafs-Islanders game, and while it's safe to assume the majority were drawn by the possible availability of Toronto captain Mats Sundin, the Isles also have some assets that will be desirable to playoff contenders at the Feb. 26 trade deadline. Chief among them is Satan, who is in the final year of his contract but has a no-trade clause."

"If the Islanders are going to get back in the Eastern Conference playoff race, the time to start is against Philadelphia tonight at Nassau Coliseum. Coach Ted Nolan reminded his team yesterday morning that the NHL trade deadline is two weeks from today, and it's possible some players could be on the move if the Islanders aren't headed north in the standings."

"It's that bit about 'the future' that holds the key to which way Snow is leaning. His team is falling out of contention and he's sitting at the GM poker table with a full house of free-agent-to-be forwards, including Miroslav Satan, Mike Comrie, Ruslan Fedotenko, Josef Vasicek, Chris Simon (eligible to come off suspension Feb. 21) and Trent Hunter (restricted free agent). Power-play specialist Marc-Andre Bergeron found his way back into the lineup Saturday against the Wild in what could be seen as showcasing."

"After playing for 12 N.H.L. teams since his debut in the league in October 1990, center Mike Sillinger says he hopes he will still be a member of the Islanders when the league’s trade deadline passes at 3 p.m. Feb. 26."

"Unless something really bizarre happens, they probably still will be in the hunt for a playoff spot by late February, so they are better candidates to be buyers rather than sellers. And unless one of the core players gets injured, the team will almost surely still be in the market for scoring punch. Who isn't?"

"With the Senators needing to land a top-six forward before the deadline and because Mike Comrie is working on a one year-deal, it was suggested to the Islanders C that he might be their man -- again. "I come with baggage," joked Comrie. Maybe, but girlfriend Hillary Duff is one fine piece of Samsonite. "

"The Isles expect to sign 2006 first-rounder Kyle Okposo - who has spurred a sniping match between GM Garth Snow and Univ. of Minnesota coach Don Lucia by bolting the Golden Gophers midway through his sophomore season - to an entry-level deal (capped at $850,000 per) soon after the holiday roster freeze is lifted on Friday."

"Indications are the Ducks might move a defenseman such as Francois Beauchemin, Mathieu Schneider or Sean O'Donnell. Because of their offensive problems, the Isles could use help at left wing or center, but the defending Cup champion Ducks already have been shut out six times this season and can't afford to part with Chris Kunitz or Andy McDonald."