By Brian Bohl
One-by-one, the players were asked about the residual effects of landing the big prize at the NHL’s trade deadline. As the players came into the dressing room in the lower echelon of the Nassau Coliseum, their smiles indicated that acquiring Marian Hossa could be the deal that puts a contending team over the top in a wide-open race.
Alas for the Islanders and their fan base, it was the visiting Penguins and not the home team that pulled off the blockbuster deal. Pittsburgh added impending free-agent Hossa and Pascal Dupuis from Atlanta in exchange for three young players and a first-round draft pick before beating the Islanders 4-2 later in the evening in Uniondale.
“A lots been made about how good he is. He’s the one everyone was talking about,” said goalie Ty Conklin, who shut down the Isles attack with a 50-save effort. “To get him is pretty exciting.”
This time last season, the Islanders made news by packaging prospects and draft picks for a star player with an expiring contract by obtaining All-Star Ryan Smyth.
This time, general manager Garth Snow didn’t delve into the farm system for a rental star. Instead, the GM shipped away two expendable veterans in Chris Simon and Marc-Andre Bergeron for draft picks, netting a third-round pick for Bergeron in what experts are describing as a deep draft.
Instead of selling, Snow chose the sensible path of building for the future.
Trent Hunter, a lifetime Islander, signed a five-year contract extension to keep one of the club’s best hitters and grittiest players locked up.
Mike Comrie also took his name out of trade consideration when the team’s leading scorer signed a one-year extension through 2008-09.
To fortify a defense hindered by injuries to Andy Sutton and Brendan Witt, Snow acquired Rob Davison from the Sharks for a seventh-round pick.
But a key move could be the Simon deal, which opened up a spot for Jeff Tambellini to finally play consistent minutes after spending most of the season being shuffled back-and-forth from the minors.
“The other result of the trade is opening up a spot for Jeff Tambellini, who deserves a steady opportunity at this level,” Snow said. “These are the tough decisions you have to make, and we chose to go a different route … For us to get the opportunity to get a young player in the lineup was a major factor.”
Entering Wednesday night, the Islanders remained just two points out of the last postseason spot.
Only this time, the front office didn’t bring in a playmaker to galvanize the group. A team still looking for its first 20-goal scorer will need the veterans to step up in the final 18 games.
That’s a risky strategy, but overall a prudent course of action taken by Snow. Perpetually shipping out prospects for players without long-term deals is not a successful strategy.
Smyth walked away from the most money last offseason to sign with Colorado, meaning the Islanders surrendered a first-round pick for just a handful of games.
By keeping this year’s draft choices and top minor league star Kyle Okposo, the Islanders are banking on a strategy of internal development to offset the inability to go after top-tier free agents.
Snow’s moves were about building for the future. Yet in a parity-driven post-lockout NHL, the Islanders could enjoy the best of both worlds. Thanks to the work ethic that coach Ted Nolan has instilled in his two-seasons on the job, the franchise is in position to make it to the playoffs for the second time in two seasons despite a league-worst team goal total of 158.
If Nolan can push his team into the top-eight, the only team they wouldn’t stand a realistic chance against in a best-of-seven series is Ottawa.
Considering the fact Edmonton made it to the Stanley Cup Finals as an eighth seed not long ago, the Islanders can feel good that goalie Rick DiPietro can get hot and the carry the team to a four-round playoff marathon.
“We are in a fight for a spot in the playoffs. We owe it to our team and our fans to do what’s right long-term and short-term,” Snow said. “I wasn’t going to trade a player who might be a free agent just for the sake of doing something and getting little back. There has to be real value to us. I’m proud of how our team has battled the last few weeks and gotten back into the race. I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do down the stretch.”
Though it didn’t make headlines, acquiring Davison could help stabilize the blue line. The 27-year-old arrived to the Coliseum just hours after the deal with the Sharks was completed.
Davison arrived so late that his first introduction to his new teammates literally came on the bench during the Penguins game. In his debut, the 6-3, 220-pound left-handed shot logged 13:36 of ice time and nearly set up the game-tying goal.
“Basically, Mike Comrie bumped into me on the ice and said ‘hi, how’re you doing.’ I met a lot of guys like that,” Davison said with a laugh. “After the game, everyone introduced themselves. I’m just happy I was playing tonight.
“I’m a stay-at-home; physical guy. I just make the simple plays and get the puck out to the forwards and let them score and try to stop the other team from scoring.”
Davison is the type of player Snow has consistently added to the team: a hard-working role player.
Snow has also thrived on picking out reclamation projects or players with upside, such as signing Comrie to a reasonable deal. Comrie can now be counted again to fill the second-line center void next season or even move to the top line if he ever develops a consistent scoring touch.
Either way, his extension will allow the front office to concentrate on adding another proven goal scorer to the mix in the offseason.
Just as important to a franchise spurned by marquee names is the fact that Hunter and Comrie are two players who actually wanted to stay. For a unit predicated on grit and determination, those attributes are key.
“I love being an Islander and wanted to stay,” Comrie said. “Just because I signed a one-year deal this year doesn’t mean I won’t be here longer. We just wanted to make sure a deal was done. I’m happy about it. I’ve been treated very fairly here, and I’ve been given a great opportunity.”
Added Hunter: “It’s nice to have those five years. We have a good group of core guys and everyone loves playing here.