Logical Breakdown of the Vanek-Moulson Trade

Earlier the Islanders traded Matt Moulson, a first round this year and a second round pick next year for Buffalo Sabres winger Thomas Vanek. Fans are in up-roar moaning about giving up fan favorite Matt Moulson and two picks, some are saying the Islanders got “fleeced”. Before any opinion is made lets try and breakdown the trade very logically.

Before getting down into the actual moving parts of the trade lets just breakdown the players.

Matt Moulson is soon to be 30 years old and an unrestricted free agent. Knowing the GMs in the NHL and similar players, it is very conceivable Moulson could get around 6 million dollars per year in the free agent market. Matt Moulson has played 99% of his ice time with John Tavares since joining the Islanders. He was a no show while playing with Tavares in the playoffs, which forced a line change to remove him from that line. Earlier in this season Moulson was not playing well with Tavares in 5v5 situations, which again forced Head Coach Jack Capuano remove Moulson from that line. Most of the damage Moulson has done this year as been on the power-play, where he has 5 of his 6 goals and 2 of his 3 assists. In other words he is not making plays when the situation is even strength. Moulson is also not known for his skating ability, puck handling ability or his defense. He is essentially a one-dimensional player that doesn’t fit the Islanders current play style.

Thomas Vanek is also a soon to be 30 year old unrestricted free agent. He too is a player that could command around the 6-7 million dollar per year mark in the open market. He too has tallied 9 points on the season. He has 4 goals and 5 assists playing for the inferior Buffalo Sabres. However only 4 of his points have been on the power play and only on of those points are a goal. Vanek is 6-2 220 pound, skilled skater, defender, puck handler the Islanders needed to put with Tavares. Scored 20 goals every year he has played in the NHL and was on pace for 40 goals last year in the shortened season. In short Vanek is the far superior player.

Now to the part everyone seems to be moaning about. The traded of draft picks. The Islanders traded a first and second round pick along with Moulson to get Vanek. Here is a question, would you rather trade prospects instead of the draft picks. Would you rather trade players closer to competing at the NHL level, say a player like de Hann? Or even a player who is currently on the team like a Matt Donovan? The draft picks were the best things the Islanders could have given up. They are unknown players who won’t even begin to contribute to this team for  several years. They will also be road blocked by the core of Islanders already locked up, plus the likes of Andres Lee, Brock Nelson, Ryan Strome, Griffin Reinhardt and Ryan Poulock.

The Islanders traded more than fair vaule for Thomas Vanek. Last year Jerome Iginla was traded for a 1^st round pick and two prospects for LESS games than the Islanders will have Vanek for. The most important piece of the trade is that the Islanders now have the inside track to give Vanek an extension. Vanek will have 70 games or so to see if he truly likes playing with Tavares and the rest of the Islanders crew. If Vanek does choose to re-up with the Islanders, it is no brainer that the Islanders won the trade. The only possibly scenario in which the Islanders lose the trade is if they fail to make the playoffs AND Vanek does not re-up with the Islanders. This was a good trade for the Islanders and it brings them one step closer to making that deep playoff run.

Islanders Break Losing Streak, Win 3-2

After going 0-2-1 in their last 3 three games the Islanders finally picked up a win defeating the Edmonton Oilers by a score of 3-2. Despite a span 8 seconds where Edmonton’s Taylor Hall scored two goals and another where Edmonton had 3 power plays in 8 minutes, this was a game completely dominated by the Islanders. Josh Bailey got the scoring started with a goal in the first period. Kyle Okposo scored the game-tying goal on a power play and then later in the period John Tavares would score the eventual game-winning goal on a wrist shot from the slot area. This was an important win for the Islanders who were in danger of losing to a team with only one win.

Feisty Islanders Faultier Late, Lose in Shootout

The Islanders made drastic changes to their line-up tonight, and it looked as if it was going to pay off until late in the third period.  Leading 3-2 with just under 2:05 to play the Islanders failed to clear the zone and the Sabers scored a soft goal on Nabokov to tie the game. The Islanders would go up in the shootout 1-0 thanks to Matt Moulson but Nabokov allowed the next two Sabre players to score and the Islanders lost the shootout 2-1. The good news is the Islanders did pick up a point, but they handed the Buffalo Sabres their first win of the season.

Islanders Lose to Nashville, Losing Streak at 2

October 12, 2103

On a night where the Islanders were out played and out skated most of the night, they only lost 3-2 and at one point in the second, even led the game 2-1. Tonights loss is solely on the hand of goal-tender Evgeni Nabokov, where all the goals against him were shots that should have been stopped. The goal scorers for the Islanders tonight were John Tavares and Frans Nielsen. Kyle Okposo picked up assists on both goals.

The Important Things:

After a lack-luster first period, and going down by 1, Islanders head coach Jack Capuano made a bold change to his line-up. He swapped his top two centers Tavares and Nielsen and it had immediate impact. After the switch the two lines seemed energized and were skating hard, which led to the two quick goals. It will be interesting to see if Coach Capuano will stick to these changes going into the their next game on Tuesday. This is one of the few times Tavares and Moulson have been split up since both joined the team 5 seasons ago.

Islanders Drop Close Game to Blackhawks

October 11, 2103

Even though it is early in the season, many were viewing this game as a barometer as to how good the Islanders are. They played the Blackhawks very close all game but fell just short losing 3-2 and are now 2-1-1 on the season. Both Islanders goals came in the final minute of the first period, the first by Josh Bailey, the second by Kyle Okposo.

The Important Things:

Backup goaltender Kevin Poulin got his first start the season, and actually played pretty well. He seemed to be a little nervous in the first period, which is where 2 of the goals against him were scored. He settled down and made 3 very nice saves in the final period. He wound up stopping 25 of 28 shots against him.

Cal Clutterbuck made his season debut tonight as the rookie Brock Nelson was a healthy scratch. Clutterbuck was the only Islander not to see double digit minutes tonight. His minutes should go up as the season goes along. It will be interesting to see if Nelson will be in the line-up tomorrow night.

The first and second lines were once again buzzing creating the majority of the scoring chances tonight. John Tavares and Michael Grabner picked up assists tonight. After only 5 assists in 45 games last year, Grabner now has 5 in the first 4 games for the Islanders.

Islanders Rout Coyotes 6-1

October 8, 2103

The New York Islanders completely decimated the Phoenix Coyotes tonight by a score of 6-1. The Islanders improved their record to 2-0-1 and now have picked up 5 of 6 possible points to start the season. The scoring was led by Captain John Tavares who scored two goals and was searching for the third goal late into the final period. The only Phoenix goal came seconds after the Islanders scored their third. The whole second line of Grabner, Bailey and Nielsen each had three points a piece with Bailey having the only goal. Nabokov was excellent, stopping 33 of 34 shots. Peter Regin, Matt Donovan and Colin McDonald also added goals.

The Important Things:

John Tavares notched his first two goals of the season so Islanders fans can stop panicking over when Tavares will finally score. The second line was tremendous tonight and Frans Nielsen was star making three excellent passes that led to the goals. Peter Regin scored his first goal of the season as well, making the choice of who should be benched for when Cal Clutterbuck returns, which may be soon than people think.

Islanders Lose Close Game in Home Opener

October 5

On the second night of a back to back the Islanders lost in a shoot-out after leading for the first two periods. John Tavares picked up two assists, one on a really nice

semi no look backhand pass to the slot to Moulson. Lubomir Visnovsky had the other goal of the game for the Islanders which came on a power play. Nabokov was the goalie again and was fantastic except for a span of 6 minutes where the Blue Jackets scored their two goals. The Islanders lost in the shootout after Moulson once again scored, this time to keep the shootout going. It was a tough one to swallow but the Islanders have to be content with 3 points in their first 2 games.

Islanders Invade the Rock, Win in Shootout

October 4

It was a nail biter but the Islanders finished off the Devils in a shootout, thanks to Matt Moulson, to get their first win and first two points of the season. Nabokov started for the Islanders and allowed 3 goals on 29 shots, but stopped all 6 shootout attempts. Michael Grabner tallied 2 goals on breakaways, one in the first period and the other in the second, and then added an assist on Frans Nielsen’s goal in the third period. Hamonic, Bailey and Donovan each had one assist on the night.

NHL '13 Simulation: Crosby's OT Winner Gives Pens A 3-1 Lead

Sorry for the late post but to make it quick, the Penguins Sidney Crosby netted the game winning goal in overtime for a 3-2 victory. Paul Martin's pass deflected off a defenseman's stkate and right to Sidney in front of the Islander net.

The Islanders lost a 2-0 lead again and are now facing elimination going back to Pittsburgh.

So far this NHL '13 simulation has picked the correct winner in all three games, so right now it is looking like the Pens will take a 3-1 series lead.

Hopefully the Islanders can prove the game wrong and tie this series with a strong effort tonite.


Final Score: Pittsburgh 3, Islanders 2 OT

NHL '13 Simulation: Pens Blank Isles To Take 2-1 Series Lead

The Islanders stunned the Penguins in Game 2 of their quarter-finals match-up with a 4-3 comeback win capped off by Kyle Okposo's goal to break a 3-3 tie in third period. With the series tied 1-1, the Islanders will have a chance to take a 2-1 series lead in front of their home crowd, which should be roaring, on Sunday afternoon.

NHL '13 has been correct so far with who will win the first two games, with the goal totals being off for the Islanders. Hopefully for Islander fans today's Game 3 will have a different outcome than NHL '13's simulation.

After a quiet first period that saw minimal chances for either team, the Penguins struck first at 5:35 of the second period. Chris Kunitz was left wide open in front of Nabakov and James Neal found him to give the Pens a 1-0 lead. Five minutes later Travis Hamonic was called for interference, and Pittsburgh made the Islanders pay. Chris Kunitz netted his second goal of the game when he beat Nabakov short side on a 2-on-1. The Islanders offense was almost non-existent in Game 3, and when they had their chance all they heard was a ping. Matt Moulson broke in on Marc-Andre Fleury and snapped a shot past Fleury, but off the post.

The Islanders were shut down the rest of the game, and Matt Cooke added an empty net goal to seal the 3-0 victory, and Fleury another shutout.

The Islanders will have to look to re-group and even the series in Game 4.

Three Stars:

3rd Star: Matt Cooke- 1G, 0A

2nd Star: Marc-Andre Fleury- 15 saves, 0 GA

1st Star: Chris Kunitz- 2G, 0A

NHL 13: Islanders-Penguins Game One

Tonight the Islanders and the top seeded Penguins will begin their quarter-final series at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh. The Penguins are the heavy favorites to represent the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup, and to win the cup.

The Islanders have been given no chance to win this series because Pittsburgh is far and beyond the most talented offensive team in the NHL. Oh and they have been playing without their golden boy Sidney Crosby, who looks to return during this series, but is likely out tonight.

Before we all watch the real life action that begins tonight at 7:30, let's take a look at how NHL '13 thinks game one will unfold between the two teams.

*Crosby played in this game.

The Islanders held their own in the first period, and jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a goal by Michael Grabner off a nice feed from Casey Cizikas. After the goal, the Penguins began to put the pressure on Evgeni Nabakov and the Islanders defense, but the Pens could not capitalize on any of their chances.

The Penguins play carried over into the second period, and dominated puck possession. Five minutes into the period, the Islanders could not clear the zone and they paid for it. Brooks Orpik took a shot from the point that stopped by Nabakov, but James Neal was there to bury the rebound and tie the score at one. Five minutes later Brooks Orpik ripped a shot from the point that found its way through traffic and into the back of the net.

The Islanders offense disappeared in the second period and were held to just two shots on goal. It got worse for the Isles when Kunitz struck from the high slot. Kunitz blasted a slapper past Nabakov to give the Pens a 3-1 , lead after two periods.

The game looked to be over halfway through the third period when Kunitz picked off a pass by Mark Streit in the high slot and ripped it high glove side by Nabakov for a 4-1 Pittsburgh lead. The Islanders cut the deficit to 4-2 with three minutes left when Matt Moulson put home a rebound off of a shot by Marty Reasoner. The Islanders pulled Nabakov with a minute and a half left desperately looking to find some magic, and with 50 seconds left in regulation John Tavares stole the puck from Paul Martin and found Brad Boyes who buried the shot and made it a 4-3 game.

The Islanders again pulled Nabakov right after the face-off and got the puck into the Penguins zone looking for a game-tying tally. After a blocked shot from the point, James Neal skated up the wing and hit the empty net to give the Penguins a 5-3 victory.

If any Islander players or coaches are reading this, take care of the puck in your own zone. Clear the puck when you get the chance, and don't let any offensive opportunities go to waste!

Hopefully NHL '13 is not correct with it's game one predictions, but it will be up to the Islanders to force a different outcome.

Three Stars:

3rd Star: Brooks Orpik 1G, 1A

2nd Star: James Neal 2G

1st Star: Chris Kunitz 2G (Game winner)

Best of the Rest Series: New York Islanders

Photo: espn.go.com

For the New York Islanders and their fans, the last twenty years can be summed up in one word...disappointment. The Isles have not been legitimate contenders for the cup since the early nineties.

The four glorious years of Stanley Cup championships will never be forgotten, but Islander fans are waiting for their organization to get back to Cup, or maybe even the conference finals. It also doesn't help that they will be moving to Brooklyn in two years.

But enough whining, for now let's count down the five best Islander teams that never brought home the hardware.

So much for not whining, they should have won the cup these years!

5. 1975-76-  The 1975-76 Islanders put the entire NHL on alert, and let everybody know that this team is for real and will be around for a long time. Led by Denis Potvin, Clark Gillies, and Bryan Trottier, the Islanders notched 42 wins while posting a +107 goal differential during the regular season.  The Islanders had nine players score twenty goals or more, with four players exceeding the thiry goal mark. The Islanders put together two separate streaks of ten games where they went unbeaten, and finished second in the Patrick Division with 101pts.

The 1975-76 season was the second straight season the Islanders made the playoffs, and just like the previous season the Islanders cruised through the first round, and won in the quarterfinals. But for the second straight season the Islanders run was ended in the semi-finals by the future Stanley Cup champions. The 1975-76 season was the start of four straight Stanley Cups for the Montreal Canadiens, but it was clear the Islanders were not far from becoming the league's elite team.

4. 1976-77-  The 1976-77 Islanders got off to one of the best starts in franchise history. The Isles went 14-2-3 in their first 19 games and outscored their opponents 75-40. The combination of Glenn Resch and Billy Smith between the pipes helped lead the Islanders to 47 wins during the regular season. The Islanders again boasted a high powered scoring attack that saw seven players score twenty plus goals in the regular season.

The Islanders again finished 2nd in the Patrick Division, behind the Penguins, with 106 pts, the most in franchise history. In the playoffs, the Islanders swept Chicago in the first round, and also swept Buffalo in the quarters. It looked as if the Islanders might break through and get to the Stanley Cup Finals, but they had to get through, you guessed it, the Montreal Canadiens. The Islanders fell to the Canadiens, who won the cup again, in six games.

Another great year ended by the only team that seemed to have the Islanders number, but as for the New York hockey scene, the Islanders were on top, and the New York Rangers were in the basement not only in New York, but in the Patrick Division.

3. 1978-79-  The 1978-79 team was the greatest regular season team not to win the Stanley Cup, and should perhaps be number one on this list. Well they aren't, and for good reason.

The 1978-79 New York Islanders were an offensive machine...MACHINE. The Islanders outscored their opponents 358-214 during the regular season, led by Mike Bossy's 69 goals. Bossy, Denis Potvin, and Bryan Trottier all eclipsed the 100 point mark, with Trottier posting a team high 134 points. The Islanders won 51 games during the regular season and finished with 116pts, tops in the NHL. They won the Patrick Division by 21 pts over the second place Philadelphia Flyers. This sounds like the greatest Islander team doesn't it? Well here is why they are not number one on the list.

After sweeping the Chicago Blackhawks in the quarterfinals, the Islanders were matched up against the New York Rangers for the chance to play in the Stanley Cup Finals. The Rangers finished third in the Patrick Division with 91 pts, and defeated the Flyers in five games in the quarters. The Islanders won five of the eight regular season meetings between the teams including a 5-2 win at Madison Square Garden on the final day of the regular season.

The Islanders may have overlooked their cross-town foes, and they paid for it. The Rangers upset the heavily favored Islanders in six games and went on to play Montreal in the Stanley Cup Finals. The Islanders scored 12 goals in the six game series. For most teams that would be pretty sufficient, but for this New York Islander team, it was unacceptable.

Islander fans were forced to swallow another semi-finals loss, and this one to the New York Rangers. Fortunately for Islander fans, their frustration did not last long. The following year the Islanders began a run of four consecutive Stanley Cup championships.

2. 1992-93-  The 1992-93 may not have been one of the best teams in franchise history, but it's what the team did  in the playoffs that fans will remember most about this season. The Islanders got back to the playoffs after missing the last two seasons and had a first round match-up with the Washington Capitals.

After dropping the first game, the Islanders won four of the next five games, including three straight overtime victories, to defeat the Caps. Perhaps the most memorable moment of the seriescame at the end of Game 6. After Pierre Turgeon scored in the third period to secure the victory, and the series, for the Islanders, Dale Hunter viciously took down Turgeon. Hunter was served a 21-game suspension while Turgeon suffered a separated shoulder.

In the division finals, the Islanders shocked the high powered, and two-time defending Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins in seven games. The Islanders found a way to neutralize Pittsburgh's two stars, Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr with defensman Darius Kasparaitis. After splitting the first six games, the Islanders and Pens went to overtime in Game 7 and Dave Volek scored to send the Islanders to the Wales Conference Finals against the Montreal Canadiens.

Once again the Islanders would be eliminated by the Canadiens in five games. The Canadiens would go on to win their 24th Stanley Cup, the most by any team in hockey.

1. 1983-84-  The New York Islanders were coming off their fourth consecutive Stanley Cup championship. There was a dynasty in Uniondale, New York, and the Islanders were not about to let the cup leave the Coliseum so easily. The Islanders notched just their third 50 win season in franchise history, and finished atop the Patrick Division with 104 pts.

Mike Bossy and Bryan Trottier led the Islanders attack once again. Bossy led the team with 51 goals and 118 points, while Trottier totaled 111 points in the regular season.

After taking down the New York Rangers and Washington Capitals in the first two rounds, the Islanders would take on the Montreal Canadiens for the right to play for the Stanley Cup. The Islanders would defeat the Canadiens in six games and head to their fifth straight Stanley Cup Finals against the Edmonton Oilers.

As good as the Islanders were all season, the Oilers were loaded with future Hall of Fame talent, including Wayne Gretzky, Jarri Kurri, and Mark Messier.  The Oilers took Game 1 1-0, but the Islanders responded with a 6-1 drubbing of Edmonton. The Islanders would not win another game lose the series in five games. In games three through five, the Oilers out scored the Islanders 19-6 .

The Islanders were denied their fifth straight Stanley Cup, while the Oilers went on to win back-to-back Stanley Cups. Since 1983-84, the Islanders have reached the conference finals just once.

Up Next: The New York Rangers

Islanders and Rangers Battle in Uniondale

Photo: sportsradiony.com

Tonight's match-up between the New York Islanders and New York Rangers will have all the feel of a playoff game mixed with a heated rivalry. Expect the emotions to run a little bit deeper, the will to win to be a little bit stronger, and the noise in the Coliseum to be that much louder. This late season meeting with both teams in the playoffs and separated by only two points has this game shaping up to be one of the greats. What will the scene be like tonight in Uniondale? To describe in one word...electric.

The Islanders have not made the playoffs since the the 2006-2007 season where they slipped into the final spot on the final day of the regular season. They were ousted in the first round by the top seeded Buffalo Sabres and haven't tasted playoff hockey since. Now this young and energetic team has Islander fans buzzing about a playoff berth, and their team is playing some good hockey at the right time.

The Islanders are 8-2-0 in their last ten games, and had some big wins over teams fighting for a playoff spot. Not only are the Isles scoring goals, they are playing strong defense. In the ten game span the Islanders gave up more than two goals just once. The most impressive win came this past Thursday night up in Beantown. The Islanders shut down the high powered Bruins and held them to just one goal. I know Boston was missing a few players, but that does not take away from the stout defense the Islanders played. Josh Bailey, who has come on strong as of late, netted both goals against the Bruins. The Islanders currently hold the number seven spot in the Eastern Conference right behind the Ottawa Senators and right in front of the Rangers.

The Rangers are playing their best hockey of the season as well right now. Since April 1st, the Blueshirts are 4-1-1, and have out shot their opponents in every game. Newcomers Derick Brassard and Ryane Clowe have added a boos to a Ranger offense that at times looked like they couldn't score on a soccer net. But Tortorella has his team turning things around, and look to make a late push up the playoff ladder.

Derek Stepan and Rick Nash will be targeted all night by the Islanders defense. Nash and Stepan are one and two on the Rangers in points (Nash 35, Stepan 34). As for the Islanders, we all know who the Rangers must keep an eye on, and that's John Tavares and Matt Moulson. In twenty career games against the Rangers, Tavares has 8 goals and 13 assists, including two goals in two games at the Garden this year. The Rangers must also keep an eye on the speedy Michael Grabner who seems to have at least one breakaway every game. There's no room for error on the Rangers defense who has broken down at times and left players wide open in front of the net.

The intensity will be at an all-time high tonight between the Rangers and Islanders. Expect there to be some scrums and maybe a fight, but don't look for a slug fest between these two. Two points, and a stronger hold on a playoff spot are on the line tonight, so the two teams will have to play smart hockey. It is going to be a fun game and a game that let's New York hockey fans know that the hockey rivalry is back, for now at least.   It's going to be loud, it's going to be exciting, it's going to be fun. And did I mention it's going to be loud tonight?

Puck drops at 7 p.m

P.S Ranger fans,

Don't expect the Coliseum to 60-40 or 70-30 in favor of the red, white, and blue tonight. They Islanders have had 17,000 fans filling the seats the past few home games and they are hungry for the playoffs.

We Want Playoffs: Islanders Playoff Scenarios Best and Worst

Over the past few home games Islanders fans have been very loud and clear with on point, they want playoffs. It has been very clear that the team has responded with an unprecedented 7-1-1 run over their last nine games. This run has bolstered the Islanders to 44 points tied for 6th best in the Eastern Conference. Why is the 6th seed so important? Well, the 6th seed plays the 3rd seen, which is given to the team that is leading their division with the least amount of points. As the standings currently sit the Washington Capitals have that spot with only 44 points. If the Islanders can capture that 6th seed that get a very favorable match up and chance to win a playoff series for the first time in about 20 years.