New York Islanders Trade Rumors

Report: Isles, Nielsen agree on 4-year extension
February 7
NHL.com
 
"It appears as though Frans Nielsen won't be headed anywhere before the Feb. 27 trade deadline. TSN's Bob McKenzie is reporting Nielsen has agreed to a four-year extension with the New York Islanders worth $11 million."
Rick DiPietro to have sports hernia surgery
January 13
Newsday
 
"Rick DiPietro needs another surgery, and yet another of his Islanders seasons appears prematurely over. Newsday has learned that DiPietro will have surgery on Tuesday to repair a sports hernia. He has been out since he suffered a groin injury Dec. 3 in Dallas, an injury that nagged him long enough that the more serious sports hernia was discovered by the team's medical staff. "This is something I thought would just heal up and go away, and instead it got more and more debilitating," a somber DiPietro told Newsday Friday from Boston, where he will have the surgery. "I'm almost bionic at this point.""
Flames pull Comeau off waivers
November 26
Calgary Sun
 
"Dangling Blake Comeau on the trade market didn't amount to anything for the New York Islanders. It sure panned out to the Calgary Flames, who had talked to Isles GM Garth Snow about the 25-year-old forward who had apparently fallen out of favour on Long Island, but by holding out only had to cough up a waiver fee in acquiring Comeau. Their bid from fourth on the priority list was successful after the Isles decided to dump the Meadow Lake, Sask., product. "He's a player we've been watching for some time," Flames GM Jay Feaster said. "He is someone our scouts feel very strongly will fit into the way we want to play — he's a very good skater, he is a responsible guy defensively, he's a"
Isles may block Avery return
November 1
New York Post
 
"The stage is set for Sean Avery's return to the Rangers this afternoon via re-entry, but The Post has been told Islanders' general manager Garth Snow has been coy concerning the possibility of claiming the winger on waivers."
Isles wait on Tavares
October 13
New York Post
 
"Despite his comments after Monday's 2-1 win over the Wild, Islanders coach Jack Capuano is doing everything he can not to ladle pressure on the already-burdened shoulders of his 21-year-old center, John Tavares. "When goal scorers aren't scoring, I try to stay away from them," Capuano said yesterday in reference to Tavares' zero points and minus-2 rating through the season's first two games. "The last thing I want to do is make guys grab their sticks and play tighter," Capuano said. "I want them to play loose and relaxed. When they do that, and they don't worry about it and don't think about it, then good things will happen.""
Islanders put Nino on IR list
October 4
New York Post
 
"With the NHL deadline for teams to finalize their 23-man rosters coming at 3 p.m. tomorrow, the decisions the Islanders have to make got a little easier yesterday. Nino Niederreiter and Trevor Gillies were both placed on the injured-reserve list, retroactive to Sept. 30 when they both suffered groin strains in a preseason game against the Devils. Both are expected to miss opening night, Saturday at home against the Panthers, but are scheduled to return in seven to 10 days."
No suspension likely for Islanders' Strome
October 2
New York Post
 
"The tree fell in the woods, but there was no videotape to capture it. So Islanders first-round pick Ryan Strome likely will escape being suspended before he even plays his first official NHL game. Strome was ejected for boarding Devils' forward Stephen Gionta with 3:14 left in New Jersey's 1-0 exhibition triumph in Newark last night. Though supplementary discipline was considered, video evidence was said to be inconclusive. Strome (taken fifth overall in June, one slot behind Devils pick Adam Larsson) voiced remorse, insisting illegal hits are not his style."
Veteran Rolston closer to making Islanders return
September 28
New York Post
 
"The man brought in this offseason to boost the Islanders' power play already was up and gone by the time most of his team took the fresh ice in Syosset yesterday. The good news is that it was the second day in a row that Brian Rolston skated by himself, getting closer to fully recovering from a groin strain and closer to joining the lineup, which will probably happen this weekend. Rolston was part of the majority of the team that didn't travel to Calgary last night, where a group filled with mostly young guys and veteran tryouts lost to the Flames, 2-0. "I feel good," Rolston told The Post after his workout. "Hopefully I'll get into a game soon. It's important because you need to get your"
Veteran Streit named Islanders captain
September 22
New York Post
 
"The Islanders spent this summer investing money in their young core, but yesterday they handed their official leadership role to a veteran. Mark Streit, who missed all of last season due to shoulder surgery, was named the 13th captain in franchise history, becoming the first Swiss player to ever hold that distinction in the NHL. "It's obviously a huge honor and a very big privilege," Streit said. "It's a very storied franchise with many legendary players before that have been captain. It's a very big honor." The offseason has seen general manager Garth Snow hand five-year contracts to 21-year-old John Tavares, 23-year-old Kyle Okposo and 23-year-old Michael Grabner. Although the"
Islanders give Tavares 6-year, $33M deal: report
September 15
New York Post
 
"It seems one star player is committed to playing for the Islanders. ESPN.com reports, "The 20-year-old center has agreed to a six-year contract extension with the Islanders, although the paperwork has yet to be completed." Tavares was the No. 1 pick for the Islanders in 2009 and, turning 21 next week, has become the face of the franchise. The report says he will receive $4 million in the first year, $5 million in the second, then $6 million each of remaining four years for a $33 million total deal and an average annual value of $5.5 million."
Tavares, Myers on the verge of multi-year extensions
September 14
TSN.ca
 
"TSN Insider Bob McKenzie has learned that New York Islanders forward John Tavares and Buffalo Sabres defenceman Tyler Myers are both on the verge of multi-year contract extensions with their respective teams. While the deals have not yet been finalized, they are both believed to be in six-year range and worth an annual average of roughly $5.5 million. Both Tavares and Myers have one year left remaining on their entry-level deals signed in 2009."
DiPietro sticks with it after painful letdowns
September 14
New York Post
 
"The locker room smells actively rank, the smell only freshly dampened hockey equipment can produce. There are about 40 people moving about frantically, some Islanders players undressing and heading to the showers, some young public relations men in suits trying to rein in the chaos, and a handful of media people, including one cameraman, moving from station to station conducting interviews as if on a conveyor belt. The losing goalie, Rick DiPietro, steadies himself before the scrum and looks up as if he's in a hurry. He's already told the assembled ragtag group of media to come back once, and now they are reassembling in front of him as the rest of Nassau Coliseum empties out. It's"
Islanders thinking young
August 24
New York Post
 
"The possibility that any of the aging forwards lurking around the Islanders were going to score contracts was at least temporarily squashed yesterday by general manager Garth Snow. "Right now, I don't have any plans to add another forward to our group," Snow told The Post. "As much as we'd like to add quality veterans, we're not going to box out our young guys." The biggest name that caused a stir was Alexei Yashin, who was recently skating at the Islanders' practice facility in Syosset. The 37-year-old Yashin is on the Islanders' payroll through the 2014-15 season, but hasn't played a game for the Islanders -- or in the NHL -- in four years. Another player who has been toiling on the ice"
NHL policy change on substance abuse?
August 18
Toronto Sun
 
"The recent off-ice deaths of two NHL players could spark a change in how the league conducts its substance abuse and behavioural program. Commenting on the passing of New York Ranger Derek Boogaard and Winnipeg Jet Rick Rypien at the league's research and developmnt camp in Toronto, commissioner Gary Bettman told a wire service that he will soon approach the Players Association to study the current policy. Boogaard passed away in May after a mishap with alcohol and a painkiller drug. Rypien, who reportedly suffered from depression, died Monday and police will only say the circumstances were not suspicious. Both men had been in the program, which has helped many players with varied"
Isles' days on the island are numbered
August 8
Buffalo News
 columnist: Bucky Gleason
"Islanders owner Charles Wang must have been off his rocker if he thought Nassau County taxpayers would come to the rescue of his dilapidated arena and sorry hockey team. In case he hasn't noticed, it's not the best time to be asking for help on a $440 million project. People have grown tired of digging into their pockets for professional sports franchises when they can't put gasoline in the car. All he needed to do was check the crowds in Nassau Coliseum, the biggest dump in the league. Wang's latest move was knocking on doors in Suffolk County to see if officials there would be interested in giving him a break. He spoke with them for about five minutes, which meant he stayed four minutes"
Comeau finalizes $2.5M deal with Islanders
August 3
New York Post
 
"With two days to go before he was set to head to arbitration, Blake Comeau last night agreed to a one-year deal with the Islanders, which The Post confirmed was for $2.5 million. Comeau, 25, was the Islanders' second-round pick (47th overall) in the 2004 draft, and has spent the past three seasons with the club. Last season, the Meadow Lake, Saskatchwan, native had career highs in goals (24), assists (22) and points (46), while finishing fourth on the team in goals and fifth in points."
Devils trade Rolston to Islanders for Hunter
July 29
New York Post
 
"Clearing cap space the Devils will need to sign Zach Parise, GM Lou Lamoriello shipped Brian Rolston and his $5 million hit to the Islanders Thursday for Trent Hunter and his $2 million charge. The Devils needed permission from Rolston to complete the deal, which lifts the Islanders closer to the $48.3 million salary floor. Lamoriello signed Rolston, 38, on July 1, 2008, for $20 million over four years as an over-35 free agent. Hunter, 31, played 17 games for the Islanders last season, suffering a torn knee ligament. He has 99 goals and 130 assists in 459 games on Long Island. "I feel great about the trade," said Rolston, who waived his no-trade clause July 1. "I'm super-excited about"
Rolston trade to Isles opens door for Parise
July 29
New York Post
 
"Note the date. For the first time since it began back in 2005, the Devils are out of salary-cap trouble. Until next week, that is, when Zach Parise will have a contract. For the moment, general manager Lou Lamoriello can breathe easy as he closes in on Wednesday's binding arbitration hearing for Parise. He has some $8.5 million in effective space, and that should cover Parise, whether the sides work out a contract or go through with the hearing. The sudden space windfall is the result of Lamoriello freeing $3 million in room by shipping Brian Rolston and his undemotable $5 million hit to the Islanders yesterday for right win Trent Hunter and his $2 million charge. Rolston's contract, four"
Report: Yashin in no hurry to make decision on future
July 26
TSN.ca
 
"While the New York Islanders are talking to Alexei Yashin about returning to the NHL, the former Islander is in no hurry to make his decision. According to Newsday, Yashin is weighing all his options, including resuming his career in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League, before deciding where he will play next season. "The thing is, I'm an unrestricted free agent," Yashin told Newsday. "I'll look at all situations. We'll see what is the right decision for me.""
Yashin, Islanders are talking
July 26
New York Post
 
"One of the biggest financial blunders in Islanders history might be close to returning. Alexei Yashin is working out at the team's training facility in Syosset, L.I., and is in negotiations with the team on a possible new contract, Yashin's agent Mark Gandler confirmed to The Post yesterday. Gandler said there has been no advancement in negotiations over the weekend since the story was first reported in Newsday on Friday. Although he would not discuss the details of the proposed arrangement, Gandler said he's having on-going conversations with Islanders general manager Garth Snow about bringing the 37-year-old Yashin back. Snow was not immediately available for comment."
Evgeni Nabokov's NHL future hinges on Islanders' plans
July 26
SportingNews.com
 
"Evgeni Nabokov appears ready to return to the National Hockey League -- either with the New York Islanders, who own his rights, or to a team to which the Isles trade him. And according to a Twitter posting from Canadian-based reported James Mirtle, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly has told the Islanders they won't have to risk sending Nabokov through waivers before trading him. Nabokov, 36, spent most of last season in limbo. After leaving the NHL as an unrestricted free agent who couldn't find a deal, he signed with Russia's Kontintenal Hockey League -- only to get out of his $24 million contract. He decided to return to the NHL, and the Detroit Red Wings signed him to a cut-rate"
Nabokov set to return to NHL for 2011-12
July 23
The Globe and Mail
 columnist: James Mirtle
"It's been a bumpy road for Evgeni Nabokov of late. Nabokov finished second in the NHL in wins with 44 with the San Jose Sharks in a career year in 2009-10, finishing tied for fourth in Vezina Trophy voting. He struggled in the postseason, however, leading the Sharks to turn to Antti Niemi and Antero Niittymaki in goal and Nabokov to hit free agency as one of many goalies available on July 1. He didn't find a taker and eventually signed a $24-million deal in Russia's KHL. That didn't last and by midseason, he was looking for a return to the NHL. In January, Nabokov signed a bargain basement $570,000 deal with the Detroit Red Wings, hoping to re-establish himself and go on a playoff run."
Chasin' Yashin
July 23
Sportsnet.ca
 columnist: Mike Brophy
"Alexei Yashin would be a solid secondary offensive option for an Islanders team on the rise. Did you chuckle when you heard the New York Islanders were in negotiations with Alexei Yashin to return to the NHL? Or perhaps you laughed out loud? Yashin? Back in the NHL? With the team that bought him out? Go ahead and laugh all you want because regardless of what happens with Yashin, the Islanders have poised themselves to take a significant step foreword next season. Having missed the playoffs the past four seasons and in five of the past six years, there is certainly no guarantee the Islanders will make it into the post-season in 2011-12. However, based on their solid play in the second half"
Isles sign depth forward Tim Wallace
July 21
Newsday
 
"The Islanders have signed depth forward Tim Wallace to a one-year, two-way deal, a team spokesperson confirmed. The 26-year-old Notre Dame product spent the bulk of the last five seasons with the Penguins' AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins."
Without contract in Russia, Alexei Yashin said to have eyes on NHL return
July 19
SportingNews.com
 
"Alexei Yashin could be on a path that leads him back to the National Hockey League. At least that is what his agent is saying, following news Yashin's contract will not be renewed by his team in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League. Yashin, 37, spent the past four seasons in the KHL, with Yaroslavl and St. Petersburg SKA -- the latter of which decided to "embark on the road to a younger squad," GM Alexei Kasatonov told the Russian site Sport-Express. Before heading home, Yashin spent 12 years in the NHL, last seen in the 2006-07 season with the New York Islanders. He is on record as saying he would like to return to the Isles, who bought out his contract after that season."
Sabres go after Ehrhoff, trade away Montador
June 30
Buffalo News
 
"Terry Pegula said the Buffalo Sabres would be aggressive in free agency. After they acquired the rights to Christian Ehrhoff, one of the premier defensemen remaining on the marketplace, it became obvious the owner wasn't kidding. The Sabres sent a fourth-round pick in next year's draft to the New York Islanders on Wednesday night just for the right to talk with Ehrhoff, who helped Vancouver reach the Stanley Cup finals. The Sabres weren't done, trading the rights of defenseman Steve Montador to Chicago late Wednesday night for a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2012 or 2013 NHL draft. Ehrhoff was the night's biggest move. The pending unrestricted free agent was shipped earlier this"
Will the New York Islanders lock up Christian Ehrhoff?
June 29
Yahoo! Sports
 
"The New York Islanders are clearly entering a summer in which they're going to overcompensate some free agents in order to transition this team from hapless also-ran to playoff contender. So they sent a 2012 fourth-round pick to the Vancouver Canucks for the negotiating rights to defenseman Christian Ehrhoff, knowing what it's going to take to sign him — well over $5 million per season on average ... and since it's the Islanders a few dollars above that market value."
Canucks give up on re-signing Christian Ehrhoff, trade rights to Islanders
June 29
Vancouver Sun
 
"The Vancouver Canucks gave up Tuesday on signing elite defenceman Christian Ehrhoff and traded his negotiating rights to the New York Islanders for a fourth-round pick in the 2012 NHL entry draft. Ehrhoff, 28, was seeking a huge raise on the $3.1 million he made in 2010-11 and Gillis apparently couldn't entice the German to accept Kevin Bieksa-type money of $4.6 million per season. The Islanders now have until 9 a.m. Friday to sign Ehrhoff or he will go on the open market. "It became apparent to us that we weren't going to be able to sign Christian by July 1 and, as you know, once July 1 comes, there are obviously no guarantees of any kind," explained Canucks assistant GM Laurence Gilman,"
Lightning acquire another Islander
June 26
Tampa Tribune
 
"Lightning-land has become somewhat of a resurrection ground for a handful of former New York Islanders. On Saturday, Tampa Bay tapped back into that pipeline hoping to continue the trend, acquiring 25-year-old defenseman Bruno Gervais from the Islanders for future considerations. Gervais, a former sixth-round pick by New York in 2003, is scheduled to be a restricted free agent on July 1. Former Islanders Nate Thompson and Sean Bergenheim found success with the Lightning last season and goaltender Dwayne Roloson, acquired from New York in January, was a big key to Tampa Bay reaching the Eastern Conference finals. Now Gervais, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound native of Longueuil, Quebec, hopes to"
Lightning acquire D Gervais from Islanders for futures
June 25
TSN.ca
 
"The New York Islanders traded defenceman Brune Gervais to the Tampa Bay Lightning for future considerations on Saturday."
Isles target defenseman, unless ...
June 24
New York Post
 
"They could trade up or down, so stay on your toes; where the Islanders pick in tonight's NHL draft, nobody knows. Although they have the No. 5 overall pick, GM Garth Snow has had many discussions with other GMs pining for his coveted slot, so far all to no avail. Snow also said he would be just as happy making the selection himself, as he's certain his team would get an impact player with that first-round selection. "There's going to be different options available," Snow told The Post. "But if we stay where we are, we feel we're going to get another key prospect, another quality player." Snow said that most of the trade negotiations happen on the draft-room floor, so he and his staff were"
Islanders dangling fifth pick in draft: report
June 16
New York Post
 
"The Islanders sound ready to choose the present over the future. Islanders Point Blank reports that GM Garth Snow would be willing to trade the team's fifth pick in the June 24 draft for a veteran impact player. The Islanders have been rebuilding since 2008 and have young players viewed as potential stars in John Tavares, Kyle Okposo and Michael Grabner. The Islanders signed both Grabner and Okposo to five-year extensions this offseason. The report states the Islanders are unwilling to part with any of their young players. Thanks to injuries to Okposo (played in final five games all season) and top defenseman Mark Streit (missed whole season), and a 1-16-3 stretch in November and December,"
Cizikas signs entry-level contract with Islanders
June 1
TSN.ca
 
"The New York Islanders have signed former fourth-round draft pick Casey Cizikas to an entry-level contract. The 20-year-old Cizikas scored a career-high 64 points for the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors in the OHL this season, and added another 19 points in the OHL playoffs and three points in the Memorial Cup before the Majors fell to the Saint John Sea Dogs in the Finals."
Doug Weight retires, becomes asst coach/special advisor to GM
May 26
Newsday
 
"Islanders captain Doug Weight tearfully bid farewell to his 19-season NHL career but will remain with the organization as an assistant coach and special advisor to General Manager Garth Snow."
Doug Weight retires, joins Islanders hockey operation staff
May 26
NHL.com
 
"Doug Weight has played his last NHL game. The 19-season NHL veteran retired Thursday morning, where it was announced that he would join the New York Islanders Hockey Operation staff. The former captain will serve as an Assistant Coach and Senior Advisor to the General Manager. Weight, a second-round pick of the New York Rangers in the 1990 Entry Draft, played the majority of his career with the Edmonton Oilers and St. Louis Blues before signing three years ago with the Islanders. Shoulder and back injuries limited him to 107 games, just 54 over the past two seasons."
Isles sign Okposo to five-year, $14M contract
May 26
New York Post
 
"The Islanders continued backing up their plan of building around their young core yesterday, locking up forward Kyle Okposo with a five-year contract worth $14 million. Less than two weeks ago, Isles general manager Garth Snow gave a five-year, $15 million contract to Michael Grabner, and in mid-season he signed Matt Moulson to a three-year deal worth $9.4 million. Grabner and Okposo, both 23 years old, were set to be restricted free agents this off-season, and instead of extending qualifying offers to keep them, Snow made long-term financial commitments. This from a team whose future on Long Island is still in flux, as a plan for a new arena is being readied for a vote by Nassau County"
Islanders captain Doug Weight might announce retirement today
May 24
Yahoo! Sports
 
"Veteran center Doug Weight only played in 18 games last season due to a back injury, scoring two goals and notching seven assists. The New York Islanders captain hasn't actually appeared in a game since mid-November and it's looking like that may have been the last appearance of his career. New York Newsday has it that the Islanders have scheduled a news conference on Thursday where the 40-year-old "will announce his decision on the future of his NHL playing career." The paper believes Weight will announce his retirement and that he is taking a position with the team."
Capuano gets new deal from Islanders
April 12
New York Post
 
"The Islanders officially announced on Tuesday something that most in the organization knew was coming for weeks: Jack Capuano will be retained as head coach. Capuano was brought up from the Islanders' AHL affiliate in Bridgeport on Nov. 15 to replace the fired Scott Gordon, who started the season 4-10-3. With Capuano as the interim coach, the young team went 26-29-10, including a 15-12-6 mark after the All-Star Break. "We have made tremendous strides as a team this season under Jack's direction and I'm confident that he's the right person to lead the Islanders into the playoffs," general manager Garth Snow said in a statement. "Jack's work ethic and familiarity with the numerous players on"
Isles agree to terms with Matt Donovan on entry-level deal
March 30
Newsday
 
"The Islanders have agreed to terms with Matt Donovan on an entry level deal, the team announced today. Donovan's deal will commence at the beginning of the 2011-12 season, but the 20-year-old defenseman will head to the team's minor league affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers for the remainder of the season. He'll play for the Sound Tigers on an ATO, Amateur Tryout."
Islanders ink Montoya to one-year contract extension
March 30
TSN.ca
 
"The New York Islanders agreed to terms on a one-year contract extension with goaltender Al Montoya, keeping him with the club through the 2011-12 season. The 26-year-old has a record of 8-4-4 with a 2.35 goals against average and a .923 save percentage in 17 games this season. The Chicago native was acquired from the Phoenix Coyotes on Feb. 9 in exchange for a sixth round pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft."
Report: Doug Weight eyes retirement
March 30
ESPN.com
 
"New York Islanders captain Doug Weight said Tuesday he will not return this season and is leaning toward retirement, according to Newsday. Weight has not played a game since Nov. 17 because of nerve damage in his back and muscle atrophy in his left leg, according to the report. The 40-year-old was playing in his 20th NHL season and his third with the Islanders. He has 278 goals and 1,033 points in 1,238 career games."
Capuano winning, but still may get the boot
March 20
New York Post
 
"It's just before 10 p.m. last Friday night, and Jack Capuano walks into a small room adorned with about a dozen dirty chairs and a plastic blue-and-orange tapestry on the wall, bearing the name of the franchise he has come to represent. His round face is taught, he walks fast and cradles his half-empty water bottle like a baby's rattle. On this night, he steps to the fake-wood podium in the bowels of the Nassau Coliseum and has to do something he's now accustomed to since taking over as the head coach of the Islanders four months ago. He has to explain why his ragtag group of young kids and scrap-heap pickups are playing some of the best hockey of any team in the best league in the world."
Isles' Gillies to have in-person hearing with league after game misconduct
March 3
TSN.ca
 
"New York Islanders forward Trevor Gillies will have an in-person disciplinary hearing with the NHL on Friday after a hit-from-behind incident during Wednesday's game against the Minnesota Wild. In-person hearings usually signal that a suspension of five games or more is on the way, but that is not guaranteed."
P.A. Parenteau, Islanders have deal
February 17
ESPN.com
 
"P.A. Parenteau agreed to terms on a one-year contract extension with the New York Islanders, the team announced Thursday. "I'm really excited to stay on Long Island," Parenteau said in a statement. "The Islanders organization has given me the chance to prove that I belong in the NHL and I look forward to being a part of the success that is building in our dressing room for the near future.""
Islanders' Gillies, Martin draw nine and four game suspensions respectively
February 13
NHL.com
 
"The National Hockey League has suspended Pittsburgh's Eric Godard for 10 games, while Trevor Gillies of the New York Islanders received a nine-game suspension and Isles forward Matt Martin drew a four-game suspension for their actions during Friday's game on Long Island. The disciplinary actions were announced by NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell following in-person hearings with the Islanders on Saturday evening in Buffalo, where the Isles play Sunday afternoon. Godard drew an automatic 10-game suspension under Rule 70.11 for coming off the bench to become involved in a third-period fight after New York's Michael Haley squared off with Penguins"
Isles acquire goalie Montoya
February 10
New York Post
 
"The Islanders traded a sixth-round pick to the Coyotes yesterday in exchange for former Rangers goalie Al Montoya. They did so after it was announced that rookie goalie Kevin Poulin will miss the rest of the season with a dislocated knee cap he sustained during pregame warmups on Tuesday. Montoya was playing for the Coyotes' AHL affiliate in San Antonio, where he was 11-8-0 in 21 games."
Shero likely to be a player at trade deadline
February 7
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"The Penguins aren't quite ready to acknowledge that Evgeni Malkin won't play again this season, although that is nothing more than a formality at this point. Putting him on the Long Term Injured List will free up $8 million or so in salary-cap space (the precise figure changes day to day, but it is Malkin's $8.7 million cap hit, minus the amount separating the Penguins from the cap ceiling of $59.4 million). That means general manager Ray Shero might well be busy between now and the NHL trade deadline at 3 p.m. Feb.28. That wasn't necessarily the case before Malkin was hurt, because any significant deal Shero would have made then would have involved giving up someone off the major league"
Islanders' DiPietro out 4-6 weeks with facial fractures after fight
February 5
New York Post
 
"It went from embarrassing to serious very quickly for Islanders goalie Rick DiPietro, who announced Friday he will miss 4-6 weeks because of numerous facial fractures resulting from a punch he took from Penguins goalie Brent Johnson during Wednesday's 3-0 loss in Pittsburgh. On top of that, there's swelling again in DiPietro's surgically repaired left knee, which very much puts in jeopardy the rest of the beleaguered netminder's season. "It's unfortunate and frustrating and every other emotion you can throw in there," DiPietro said at the Coliseum with a deep purple welt under his right eye. "You don't ever want a broken face to be the reason for extra rest, but you keep telling yourself"
Islanders keeping Moulson
January 28
New York Post
 
"The trade rumors surrounding Matt Moulson for the first half of the Islanders' season can cease after the two parties agreed on a three-year, $9.4 million contract extension yesterday. The Post confirmed through Moulson's agent, Rand Simon, that the contract does not contain any no-move or no-trade clause. If Moulson pushed for a no-move clause in the negotiation, it would not have kicked in until July 1, meaning the Isles still would have had most of the offseason to move the winger. Because of that, Moulson and Simon agreed it wasn't worth becoming a point of contention between player and team, who both wanted the other. "I want to be here and I think I've made that well known," Moulson"