Islanders general manager Garth Snow said he considers his team still in the playoff race. But the GM still chose to build for the long-term rather than make a late push, trading 6-6 defenseman Andy Sutton to the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday in exchange for a 2010 second round pick that originally belonged to San Jose.

The draft choice, expected to be in the 55-60 overall range, will help come June. In the meantime, the Senators obtained Sutton, who entered last night ranked second in the NHL with 153 blocked shots and tallied four goals and eight assists in 54 games for the Isles.

“This is by no means an indication we can’t win,” Snow said to reporters before the game. “We’re only [five] points out and this is a great opportunity for [our] young players to fight for a last playoff spot.”

Goalie Dwayne Roloson could follow Sutton out of Long Island by Wednesday’s 3 p.m. deadline. But Roloson, who is signed through next season, could stay as Rick DiPietro is out indefinitely after experiencing swelling in his surgically repaired left knee.

Snow traded a defenseman to Ottawa just before the deadline for a second straight season. The Isles shipped Chris Campoli, along with forward Mike Comrie, to the Senators last February in exchange for a 2009 first-round pick. Snow packaged that selection in a trade to move up and draft defenseman Calvin de Haan 16th overall.

The 34-year-old Sutton is an impending free agent who totaled seven goals in 135 games over three seasons since signing with the Islanders, going minus-6 in accumulating 199 penalty minutes.  Ottawa leads the Northeast Division by a single point over Buffalo and entered Wednesday in sole possession of the Eastern Conference’s third spot.

“We wanted to get a little more depth on the blue line and I think Andy fits that need,” Senators general manager Bryan Murray said to reporters in Ottawa. “I wanted somebody I could look up to – and I have to do that – and then up front with Matt Cullen it gives us the versatility that I talked about so it doesn’t appear there’s much more going to happen. But who knows at the end of the day what might stick its head up and maybe be available.”

Sutton joins the fifth team in his career. The 10-year veteran has made the Stanley Cup playoffs once, logging zero points and a minus-2 rating in a first-round series for an Atlanta Thrashers squad that was swept in four games by the Rangers to end the 2006-07 campaign.

“It’s an unbelievable opportunity,” Sutton said in an audio clip disseminated by the team. “That’s the first thing I said to Bryan, I thanked him so much for the opportunity. Being an older player and getting the chance to play on such a great team and have a chance to win the Stanley Cup is a dream come true.”

Islanders vs. Blackhawks Audio Report

Biron’s patience paid off as the 32-year-old posted wins in consecutive starts in a six-day span. With the impending Olympic break, Biron did his best to showcase his skills before the league’s March 3 trade deadline.

Islanders coach Scott Gordon said Biron is handling the team’s three-man goaltender situation professionally. Dwayne Roloson and Biron started the campaign as a platoon before Rick DiPietro’s return from injury last month.

Roloson started Sunday night against Ottawa and made 31 saves before the Ottawa Senators scored a trio of third-period goals to send the Islanders into the Olympic break with nine losses in its last 11 games.

The logjam regulated Biron to third-string status that resulted in a conditioning stint in AHL Bridgeport. But Biron returned against Nashville last Tuesday after previously appearing for the Islanders back on Dec. 27. He made 24 saves in a win over the Predators and logged another 38 stops to push the club to a 5-4 win over Tampa Bay on Saturday.

Biron’s successful week can give general manager Garth Snow leverage in trade talks while also providing the Islanders fledging playoff hopes a much-needed boost before the two-week stoppage for the winter games.

“Marty is at the point where he just wants to play and he’s not thinking a lot about what’s going to happen before and after the deadline,” Gordon said. “With all the inactivity he when Ricky came back, it’s gotten to the point that he’s just happy to be playing.”

The team’s goal-scorers seem happy that Biron is back. Through two games, the Islanders have scored eight regulation goals. That support was lacking in Biron’s earlier appearances as the Isles scored just nine goals in Biron’s seven games before his inactive stretch from Dec. 27-to-Feb.9.

“He’s probably loving the fact he’s getting some goal support [in] making his job a little easier,” Gordon said.

Biron’s start against Steven Stamkos and the Lightning came after DiPietro was scratched with the flu.  He is 203-173-25-22 with a .911 career save percentage and a 2.61 goals against average.

The Islanders are also getting contributions for another Martin: rookie Matt Martin. The 20-year-old tallied two assists in his NHL debut and used his 6-2 frame to give the Isles toughness that had been lacking earlier this season.

When Tampa Bay’s Mattias Ohlund checked top overall draft pick John Tavares hard into the s bench-side boards, Martin immediately skated over to confront Ohlund before Tampa’s Nate Thompson stepped in.

Martin fought Thompson exchanged numerous punches in a fight that ended in a draw. Martin registered 91 penalty minutes in 53 games for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers before getting promoted.[book id='' /]

Islanders Martin Biron Feature Wrap

John Tavares, the No. 1 overall draft choice, signed a three-year entry level contract worth almost $900,000 per season that could escalate to as much as four million dollars annually if incentives are reached. Should the 18-year-old center make the Islanders out of training camp, his first NHL game action will come against former top overall draft picks in Sidney Crosby and goalie Marc-Andre Fleury.

“It’s really not going to change the way I think or the way I live my daily life or approach the game,” Tavares said at the team’s Iceworks facility.

The contact came during the last day of prospect camp. Tavares was named the fourth top overall draft selection in Islanders history during June’s draft in Montreal and will now compete for a roster spot right away when the club assemblies for the Saskatoon-based training camp.

“It’s good to be here and officially be part of the organization,” Tavares said. “It’s nice to have it behind me but it’s not going to change me.

“I still have to work on a lot of things, getting physically stronger and getting my pace up to NHL standards.”

General manager Garth Snow worked with Tavares to reach an agreement early in the offseason. It took the Islanders until Oct. 2 to sign last year’s first round pick Josh Bailey, who missed the first 14 games with an unspecified lower body injury.

The Islanders will not have to worry about a holdout and Tavares said he can concentrate on preparing for the season instead of worrying about the game’s business aspect.

“He’s a driven kid and obviously we’ve said all along he’s another piece of the puzzle of what we’re trying to build here,” Snow said. “He’s going to fit in nicely with the group that we have.”

Scott Gordon led the practice for the team’s prospects and other invited young players that started Friday and concluded yesterday.

The Islanders head coach said the sessions were designed to be instructional instead of a way to evaluate skills, though Gordon said he came away impressed with the teenage Tavares’ poise and offensive skills near the net.

“Sometimes it looks like he has three sticks to the defender’s one stick in his ability to do the things he does with the puck,” Gordon said. “His nose around the net is a unique talent and to me that was the most evident thing about his game that really stood out.”

Almost 500 people attended Tavares’ public press conference last week and a similar crowd lined up to get into the practice facility here on Sunday when a scrimmage was open to the public. Before his first shift, Tavares already has helped generate excitement to a team that finished the season last in attendance.

“It’s great to see the fan support in the middle of July when they could be on the beach instead of in a cold rink,” said Calvin de Haan, the Islanders other first-round pick and a former teammate of Tavares in the OHL. “It’s an exciting time for this team. They’re rebuilding and we have a lot of talent coming up through the system.”

Twelve days after 10,118 people packed the Coliseum to watch Tavares became the fourth No. 1 overall draft pick in Islanders history, the 18-year-old prolific junior scorer greeted the nearly 500 fans at the public event. After a video showing highlights of draft night in Montreal concluded on the lowered scoreboard, Tavares stepped to the podium. The crowd cheered widely as Snow handed him an Islanders alternate blue uniform baring No. 91, which he wore as an amateur.

“You’re gonna like it here, John,” one fan yelled as Tavares pulled the jersey over his gray dress shirt he wore with a black suit.

Tavares comes to a last-place Islanders team that scored the second fewest goals in the NHL after failing to crack the 200-goal plateau. Enter Tavares, who notched 72 goals in 2006-07 to break Wayne Gretzky’s OHL single-season record.

Despite wearing a number that once belonged to Butch Goring, the glory days might not return swiftly. Tavares said he is brushing up on his history about players like Goring, who was a part of the Isles four Stanley Cup championship squads. Before thinking about a title, Tavares said he is excited to join a young club that will be looking to lead the Islanders to its first playoff series victory since 1993.

“I hope to be one part of many and contribute to rebuilding the franchise and bringing it back to where it should be and bring success back here,” Tavares said. “I think the organization deserves it; the fans deserve it and I know the players want it.”

Tavares shared the stage with Snow and coach Scott Gordon. In the first row of seats were his parents, sister, owner Charles Wang and Josh Bailey. The sight of Bailey, last year’s first-round pick, alongside Tavares marked two key pieces of Snow’s rebuilding plan.

Tavares will get his professional career started Friday during the team’s prospect camp at the Syosset-based Iceworks practice facility. Like Bailey, Tavares might be able to propel a strong showing there into meaningful minutes in his first NHL season. He is expected to join a core that features fellow former first-rounder Kyle Okposo as the three key forwards on a team that failed to have one 20-goal scorer last season.

“It’s a much bigger stage now being in the National Hockey League and there will be new experiences, but dealing with this when I was 14 and handling all the cameras, the requests, the fan attention and the eyes on me definitely will help me through my process,” Tavares said about performing in New York.

Gordon said he is excited to have a pure scorer like Tavares come aboard after the centerman finished his junior career with 215 goals. Tavares was good that the high-pressure OHL amended its rule that no players younger than 15 be drafted, allowing the Oshawa Generals to take him first overall as a 14-year old four years ago.

“John has a special, god-given ability to score,” Gordon said. “He’s going to continue to get chances and it’s just a question of what his success rate he’ll have with NHL goalies. If he continues with the way his whole career has been to this point, hopefully it will carry on.”

Snow kept his draft choice’s identity secret up until the announcement, leading to speculation that the Islanders would select defense Victor Hedman or center Matt Duchene. But the GM said Tavares’ body of work made the decision easy and his MVP performance for Team Canada during the World Junior Championship stood out as a performance that cemented his credentials.

“I think it was more of a package, not just one play,” Snow said. “But I was at the US-Canada game where the US went up early and John was an impact player in that game.”

Gordon was non-committal if Tavares would wear the captain’s “C” or be an assistant. It’s possible he might not even start the season with the parent club, though the teenager will secure a spot on the Islanders if he continues his career trajectory of excelling at every level. With training camp about two months away, Tavares said he is setting simple goals.

“I just want to be a valuable part of the team and one guy of many who contributes night in and night out,” Tavares said. “I want to be consistent and develop into a complete player and that leadership guy.

“I think can contribute in all areas in the big moments when it matters most.”

The crowd sent pulsating screams through the building the second general manager Garth Snow announced the Islanders selected John Tavares with the No. 1 overall draft pick in the 2009 NHL draft. Before the announcement was shown on the lowered scoreboard, fans repeatedly chanted for the team to take the two-time World Junior champion who scored 72 goals in 2007.

Islanders management did not disappoint the crowd, taking Tavares over 6-6 defenseman Victor Hedman and Matt Duchene. Hedman went second to Tampa Bay while Duchene, a fellow centerman, was chosen by Colorado with the third selection.

A little more than 300 miles away in Montreal, Tavares put on an Islanders home dark blue uniform with 09 as the number. After posing with Snow and owner Charles Wang for pictures on the Belle Center stage, Tavares said he could sympathize with the nervous fans back in Uniondale.

“I was just like everybody else, wondering what the decision would be,” Tavares said. “I couldn’t be more happy right now and excited about my opportunity to play for Long Island and the Islanders.”

Snow turned his draft pick stockpile into another major draft day move, packaging the club’s No. 26, No. 37, No. 62 and No.92 selection to Columbus for the No. 16 pick in the first round and a third-round choice at No. 77. Snow then parlayed those two selections, along with the Isles first pick of the seventh round, to Minnesota for the No. 12 overall selection.

That string of moves allowed the Islanders to draft defenseman Calvin de Hann out of Oshawa. The NHL’s central scouting rankings rated Tavares the No. 1 North American skater, one spot ahead of Duchene. De Hann was ranked 25^th overall.

But Tavares was the story of the night, becoming the fourth No. 1 overall pick in franchise history. The 6-0, 198-pound center joined Billy Harris (1972), Denis Potvin (1973) and goalie Rick DiPietro (2000) on that list and should help a team that scored the league’s second-fewest goals with just 201 tallies last season.

“Our goal was to find the best player in this draft that will become an integral piece to us  winning a Stanley Cup,” Snow said. “John has been a game-breaking type of player at every level he has played and will add a scoring touch to our lineup.”

Tavares’ selection was two years in the making. Rumors about his game-breaking talent reached its apex in 2007 when Tavares reached the 72-goal plateau as a 16-year-old, breaking the record for his age held by Wayne Gretzky.  Back at the Coliseum, the team lowered the retired numbers of Bobby Nystrom, Bryan Trottier and Mike Bossy so fans on the floor could have their pictures taken with it. Those same fans will hope Tavares can become a feared sniper and 50-goal threat like Bossy and help the Islanders return to the glory years that resulted in four Stanley Cups more than a quarter-century ago.

Tavares will need help and joins a team with many young players but not much proven talent. Former first-round picks Josh Bailey and Kyle Okposo should benefit from Tavares’ acquisition, where the centerman will also be able to learn from returning veteran center Doug Weight as the Islanders try to make it back to the playoffs after missing out the last two seasons.

“You have the opportunity there to start with a young core of guys and grow into the future,” Tavares said. “You see how many teams have gone it before and you can see where it’s headed with the draft picks.

“There’s a great tradition there to bring the winning tradition back to Long Island. That’s what my goal is and I want to be successful at the highest level. I can’t wait to get started and it’s a great opportunity for me. I can’t wait to get started and it’s a great opportunity for me. This is really a humbling moment and it’s really special for myself.”

Tavares should generate interest with minicamps coming up at the team’s Syosset-based Iceworks practice facility. Tavares said the fan reaction had already impressed him.

“I didn’t see it but I heard things and obviously they are really interested in having me and definitely have the support of the fans and the community, that’s huge,” Tavares said about the draft party that saw 22,000 people order tickets and almost half that amount attend. “I’m very thankful to be going there and I appreciate the opportunity to be part of Long Island. It’s going to be great and I can’t wait to get things going knowing where it’s head. It’s going to be a great future for all of us.”

The Islanders passed on Hedman, the powerful Swedish defenseman. With the Isles front office giving no clues before the selection, there was a possibility the team could haven went with the potential lockdown defender instead of a skilled scorer. Instead, Hedman joined Tampa Bay, who picked Steven Stamkos first overall last year.

“I mean, it was great. The Islanders picked a good guy, as well, John, he’s a very good player,” Hedman said. “I’m just happy to become an NHL player and it became Tampa and I’m just as happy as I can be. Tampa is a great team and a great organization as well as in my thoughts, so I’m really looking forward to help the team next year.”

The Isles also had Duchene on the radar. Duchene and Tavares with roommates at the scouting combine, though neither knew what would unfold in Montreal.

“I had no idea until I saw Johnny go. I had no idea,” Duchene said. “ I was sitting there, going, well, this could be it right here and same with Tampa, no one knew. No one knew. My agent tried to get [Snow] to show his cards and he’s got the best poker face ever, so he held everything pretty close to the chest and didn’t tell anybody.”

Often pegged as the odds-on favorite to be the first overall selection for the past few years, the draft landscape has shifted a bit as Swedish defenseman Victor Hedman finished the year as the number one prospect according to McKeen’s (McK) and Red Line Report (RLR). Tavares topped the rankings according to International Scouting Service (ISS), The Hockey News (THN) and the NHL’s Central Scouting (CS). In each service, either Hedman or Tavares finish first or second except for RLR where Tavares is ranked third with Matt Duchene rated second.

GM Garth Snow has a difficult decision to make. The Islanders’ selection comes down to more than just talent alone. With the franchise struggling to get a new building as part of the Lighthouse Project, there is pressure to select Tavares in order to help further that cause because of his “star potential”. Tavares would give the Islanders its version of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin or Alexander Ovechkin.

Conversely, it might be in the Islanders best interest to draft Hedman as the shutdown defenseman Eastern Conference teams will need to battle the likes of Crosby et al.

Past Islanders history lends itself to the Islanders drafting Hedman. The Islanders have had the first overall selection three times in their history. The turning point in the Islanders franchise was in 1973 when they drafted future captain Denis Potvin – who far outpaced their previous first overall selections – Billy Harris (1972) and Rick DiPietro (2000).

With five picks over the first 56 selections (1st, 26th, 31st, 37th and 56th), the Islanders will go a long way in shaping the outcome of the 2009 Draft. Depending on who their selection is they could set into motion a multitude of trade proposals.

It is no secret that Toronto GM Brian Burke covets Tavares. Burke sees the youngster as the cornerstone piece in rebuilding the Maple Leafs. If the Islanders are leaning towards drafting Hedman, Snow needs to speak with Burke and Brian Lawton of Tampa Bay. If the Islanders play their cards right, they could use their excess of draft picks to highlight a three-way deal that could bring back a future round draft pick or two and prospects or veteran players.

The Islanders would move down to the second pick, Toronto would jump up to the first spot and Tampa Bay would move down to the seventh overall selection. Depending on the other pieces, the Islanders could give up their second first round pick this year in exchange for a 2010 first round draft pick in an attempt to position themselves to draft Taylor Hall.

Even if the Islanders don’t upset the apple cart and pull off a deal, you can expect Burke will still try hard to make a deal – even if Tavares is the first player off the board. You have to believe the Maple Leafs GM will look to move up in the draft to pair Brayden Schenn with his brother Luke in TO because odds are the younger Schenn will not be around for Toronto with the seventh overall pick.

While the 2009 Draft is deep, we might see a lot of movement as teams try to move up/down while securing additional draft picks or players. Prospect Insider Shane Malloy explained how deep the Draft is.

“This year’s crop is stronger than in the past, as there is a group of potential elite prospects in the Top 15,” Malloy wrote on TSN.ca. “The remaining 15 draft picks in the first round have array of good skills and teams may find first round-worthy talent in the early second round.”

Ryan Kennedy of THN has an interesting take on a new way to look at the Draft.

“[The] draft is the new trade deadline; names such as Vesa Toskala, Tomas Vokoun and Olli Jokinen have all been dealt during the event in recent years and there’s no reason to think that trend will end soon. Simply put, the draft allows a GM to get a jump-start on his summer several days before free agency opens July 1. Plus, all 30 teams are in the house at the same time, which makes for maximum wheeling and dealing.”

Each player has ratings for the following scouting services: NHL’s Central Scouting (CS), The Hockey News (THN), McKeen’s (McK), International Scouting Service (ISS), Red Line Report (RLR), and Bob McKenzie of TSN.ca (TSN). CS breaks down their ratings by North American skaters, European skaters, North American goaltenders and European goaltenders. ISS, RLR, and TSN all list a prospects’ comparable NHL player. The draft positions used are as of June 23, 2009 and presume that no trades will be made – even though we know better .

1. New York Islanders – John Tavares – C
CS: # 1NA —– THN: # 1—– McK: # 2
ISS: # 1 (Mike Bossy) —– RLR: # 3 (Brett Hull)
TSN: # 1 (Dale Hawerchuk)
If Garth Snow keeps the first pick, he will draft Tavares who gives the rebuilding team a face for the franchise – as well as an electric offensive star who will be counted upon to raise the level of play of the young Islanders.

2. Tampa Bay Lightning – Victor Hedman – D
CS: # 1E —– THN: # 2—– McK: # 1
ISS: # 3 (Jay Bouwmeester) —– RLR: # 1 (Chris Pronger)
TSN: # 2 (Jay Bouwmeester)
With Tavares going first overall, that leaves the Lightning with a great consolation prize. Franchise defensemen are and far between and Hedman gives Tampa Bay a great one-two punch of young stars along with Steven Stamkos.

3. Colorado Avalanche – Matt Duchene – C
CS: # 2NA —– THN: # 3—– McK: # 3
ISS: # 2 (Joe Sakic) —– RLR: # 2 (Joe Sakic)
TSN: # 3 (Steve Yzerman)
The Joe Sakic comparison makes Duchene a natural for the Avalanche. In any other year, Duchene would have been talked up even more as the first overall pick. In addition to playing the same style of play as Sakic, Duchene shares his leadership ability – as seen by his captaining of Canada’s Under-18 team.

4. Atlanta Thrashers – Evander Kane – C
CS: # 3NA —– THN: # 5—– McK: # 5
ISS: # 5 (Devin Setoguchi) —– RLR: # 5 (Tomas Vanek)
TSN: # 4 (Jarome Iginla)
The Thrashers must find a way to keep Ilya Kovalchuk, who is set to be an UFA after next season. Drafting Kane provides the star winger with a potential potent linemate. In addition to having the skills of a finesse player, Kane does the dirty work needed to produce offense.

5. Los Angeles Kings – Brayden Schenn – C
CS: # 4NA —– THN: # 6—– McK: # 6
ISS: # 6 (Doug Gilmour) —– RLR: # 4 (M. Richards/R. Brind’Amour)
TSN: # 5 (Bryan Trottier)
The Kings put an end to Brian Burke’s hope of uniting the Schenn brothers in the NHL. Schenn provides the Kings with a gifted two-way center that will give LA a potent one-two punch at center with Anze Kopitar.

6. Phoenix Coyotes – Oliver Ekman-Larsson
CS: # 4E —– THN: # 13—– McK: # 4
ISS: # 9 (Tomas Kaberle —– RLR: # 7 (Nicklas Lidstrom)
TSN: # 6 (Scott Niedermayer)
The Coyotes are still a team in flux until their ownership problems are settled. Don Maloney could long and hard at Jared Cowen, but Ekman-Larsson’s offensive game will win the day.

7. Toronto Maple Leafs – Jared Cowen – D
CS: # 9NA —– THN: # 4—– McK: # 8
ISS: # 7 (Chris Pronger) —– RLR: # 8 (Braydon Coburn)
TSN: # 7 (Brayden Coburn)
With Tavares and Schenn out of the picture, the Leafs can draft Cowen to build up their blue line. Cowen might have gone even higher, but there are some concerns over a knee injury that limited him to just 48 games. If Toronto goes with a defenseman, look for Burke to bring in the Sedin twins.

8. Dallas Stars – Magnus Svensson-Paarjarvi – LW
CS: # 2E —– THN: # 7—– McK: # 10
ISS: # 4 (Alexander Mogilny) —– RLR: # 6 (Marian Gaborik)
TSN: # 10 (Mike Gartner)
The Stars could use an offensive d-man to eventually replace Sergei Zubov. However, the speedy scoring LW is too much to pass up. Magnus has shown that he can play up to his competition with his fine play in the past two WJC tournaments and his play in the Swedish Elite League.

9. Ottawa Senators – Dmitri Kulikov – D
CS: # 11NA—– THN: # 11—– McK: # 7
ISS: # 10 (Niklas Kronwall) —– RLR: # 9 (Andrei Markov)
TSN: # 9 (Sergei Gonchar)
The Senators are in an unsettled position given Dany Heatley’s request for a trade. Depending on how that situation plays out, Ottawa could trade this pick in a deal or look to replace Heatley through the Draft. If Ekman-Larsson falls to this spot, the Sens will snap him up. If not, Kulikov is a good choice as the Russian blueliner has a year in the QMJHL under his belt.

10. Edmonton Oilers – Nazem Kadri – C
CS: # 15NA—– THN: # 8—– McK: # 9
ISS: # 8 (Kyle Turris) —– RLR: # 17 (Maxim Afinogenov)
TSN: 8 (Andy McDonald)
It is not out of the realm of possibility that the new GM Steve Tambellini drafts a d-man. However, the Oilers have been linked as a possible landing place for Heatley. Faced with the possibility of having to move some of their young forward talent, the Oilers draft Kadri who projects out as a top-six forward who has speed and plays with a chip on his shoulder.

11. Nashville Predators – Jordan Schroeder -RW
CS: # 5NA —– THN: # 9—– McK: # 13
ISS: # 14 (Paul Kariya) —– RLR: # 11 (Daniel Briere)
TSN: # 15 (Steve Yzerman)
If the 5-9 Schroeder were a little bigger, he would have had a great chance at breaking into the top three of the Draft. However, he is a pure goal scorer who will team up with fellow USA WJC teammate Colin Wilson and some bite to the Predators offense.

12. Minnesota Wild – Scott Glennie – RW
CS: # 7NA —– THN: # 14—– McK: # 14
ISS: # 19 (Peter Mueller) —– RLR: # 18 (Patrick Sharp)
TSN: # 11 (Jeff Carter)
The Wild just miss out on selecting the homegrown Schroeder, but Glennie is a fine consolation prize. Glennie’s offense is keyed by his outstanding speed and his goal scoring ability is supplemented by solid ice vision and hockey sense.

13. Buffalo Sabres – Zack Kassian – RW
CS: # 10NA—– THN: # 16—– McK: # 18
ISS: # 20 (Milan Lucic) —– RLR: # 16 (Poor Man’s T. Bertuzzi/B. Shanahan)
TSN: # 14 (Todd Bertuzzi)
The Sabres might be tempted for the goal scoring ability of local boy Jeremy Morin, but the offense and physical package of the 6-3/210 Kassian is too much to pass up. Kassian plays in all situations and is a powerful skater. ISS believes he is “the most physically ready player in this draft to play at higher levels.”

14. Florida Panthers – John Moore – D
CS: # 6NA —– THN: # 18—– McK: # 12
ISS: # 16 (Joe Corvo) —– RLR: # 21 (Ryan Suter)
TSN: # 13 (Ryan Suter)
With Jay Bouwmeester having one skate out the door, the Panthers need to address the hole he leaves. Enter John Moore. The USHL Defenseman of the year combines the size (6-2/189 and growing), skating and speed that a team wants in a top-notch d-man. His physical game is sure to improve as he matures mentally and physically.

15. Anaheim Ducks – Ryan Ellis – D
CS: # 16NA —– THN: # 17—– McK: # 11
ISS: # 13 (Brian Rafalski) —– RLR: # 13 (Sergei Zubov)
TSN: # 12 (Reijo Ruotsalainen)
With Scott Niedermayer’s future uncertain, the Ducks might want to address his possible loss with one of, if not the best, offensive blueliners in the draft. While his size (5-9/173) is a concern, he is a premier PP quarterback thanks to passing ability and big-time shot from the point that he unleashes with a quick release.

16. Columbus Blue Jackets – David Rundblad – D
CS: # 6E —– THN: # 10—– McK: # 23
ISS: # 22 (Mike Green) —– RLR: # 12 (Mike Green or Lars Jonsson)
TSN: # 21 (Mike Green)
Rundblad is a high-risk/high-reward type of player. His offensive game can’t be questioned, but he is still a work in progress as for as the defensive end game goes. However, he was able to compete in the Swedish Elite League at the age of 18 and is worth the risk for a team that needs an offensive leader on defense.

17. St. Louis Blues – Jacob Josefson – C
CS: # 3E —– THN: # 15—– McK: # 16
ISS: # 11 (Daymond Langkow) —– RLR: # 32 (Patrice Bergeron)
TSN: #: 16 (Henrik Zetterberg)
The Blue have done a fine job during the last couple of years in the Draft. Josefson brings a solid two-way game that is powered by his excellent hockey sense. Jacob is more playmaker than scorer, and is another 18-year-old who played in the Swedish Elite League and has the tools to thrive in the NHL.

18. Montreal Canadiens – Chris Kreider C/LW
CS: # 14NA—– THN: # 24—– McK: # 31
ISS: # 24 (Eric Staal) —– RLR: # 27 (Poor Man’s Jeff Carter)
TSN: # 19 (Alexander Mogilny)
The hometown team in the 2009 Draft will be under a lot of pressure to draft a Quebec province native (Louis LeBlanc). However, the Flying Frenchmen have a history of drafting American-born players. While Kreider is not Quebecois, he very well may be the best skater in the Draft. While he is still a work in progress, Kreider is a great blend of skating, size and skill.

19. New York Rangers – Carter Ashton – LW
CS: # 12NA —– THN: # 20 —– McK: # 22
ISS: # 33 (Bill Guerin) —– RLR: # 22 (Dustin Penner)
TSN: # 20 (Bill Guerin)
The tragic death of Alexei Cherepanov left the Rangers short on scoring among the forward prospects. As a result, they need to concentrate on offense – especially in the first couple of rounds. The Rangers should look long and hard at Landon Ferraro lest they repeat their mistake of passing on Zach Parise for Hugh Jessiman. However, Ashton size (6-4/212), skating and scoring ability make him the pick over Ferraro. He also has the ability to drop the gloves when need be. Carter’s father, Brent, is a former NHL player.

20. Calgary Flames – Louis Leblanc – C
CS: # 13NA —– THN: # 29 —– McK: # 15
ISS: # 12 (Mike Richards) —– RLR: # 10 (Derek Roy)
TSN: # 17 (Mike Richards)
Calgary is another team that appears to be in the mix for Dany Heatley. If they keep the pick, LeBlanc is a fiery, two-way player who was voted the USHL’s Rookie of the Year and will play next year at Harvard. At 6-0/178, he still has to mature physically, but he still plays with an edge and competes hard every night.
LeBlanc got better as the season progressed, which is always a positive sign – especially for a rookie.

21. Philadelphia Flyers – Simon Despres – D
CS: # 8NA —– THN: # 12—– McK: # 19
ISS: # 30 (Nigel Williams) —– RLR: # 33 (Brent Seabrook)
TSN: # 18 (Jay Bouwmeester)
Often teams like to draft players who “do more with less”. Unfortunately for Despres, he is a player who “does less with more”. Simon is a talented two-way d-man who was stuck playing for a poor Saint John (QMJHL) team. He has all of the skill sets to succeed and showed them off at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament this summer. McK scout Rick Springhetti said, “I feel that if a team really wants, but can’t get Hedman, they would do well taking Despres….”

22. Vancouver Canucks – Landon Ferraro – RW
CS: # 18NA —– THN: # 28 —– McK: # 32
ISS: # 17 (Patrick Sharp) —– RLR: # 38 (Devin Setoguchi)
TSN: # 26 (Patrick Sharp)
Facing a possible future without the Sedin twins, the Canucks will look to replenish their stock in offensive forwards. That is where the son of former NHLer Ray Ferraro skates in. Ferraro is a natural goal scorer who uses his speed well and projects out to be a top six forward. Landon nearly tripled his goal output (13 to 37) last season. If the Rangers do draft Ferraro, then Vancouver would scoop up Ashton – if the Flyers don’t.

23. New Jersey Devils – Joonas Nattinen – C
CS: # 10E —– THN: # 36 —– McK: # 59
ISS: # 28 (Jordan Staal) —– RLR: # 31 (Bobby Holik/Jordan Staal)
TSN: # 36 (Jordan Staal)
Given the high powered centers playing in the Atlantic Division, Nattinen is a natural selection for Lou Lamoriello and David Conte. Joonas is a hard-nosed two-way center with an excellent sense for the game. Nattinen is very comfortable playing a physical game and does not mind driving to the net. He was most impressive at the WJC, winning 63% of his faceoffs.

24. Washington Capitals – Peter Holland – C/LW
CS: # 19NA —– THN: # 19 —– McK: # 25
ISS: # 15 (Chris Gratton) —– RLR: # 24 (Kristian Huselius)
TSN: # 24 (Patrick Marleau)
The Capitals could go offense or defense with their first round pick. Holland represents the opportunity to surround Alexander Ovechkin with another weapon up front. He plays in all situations for Guelph (OHL) and has been used at the point on the PP at times. He can play center or the wing, but he needs to use his size (6-2/185) more than he does.

25. Boston Bruins – Dylan Olsen – D
CS: # 27NA —– THN: # 41—– McK: # 17
ISS: # 39 (Brent Seabrook) —– RLR: # 28 (Mark Stuart)
TSN: # 32 (Cam Barker)
The Bruins have some free agent decisions to make and face some salary cap implications in regards to Phil Kessel, so they might be tempted to draft a forward. However, Olsen presents a package that is too tempting to pass up. He has size (6-2/205) and strength to be a top four blueliner. While he will not remind anyone of Bobby Orr when it comes to moving the puck, he has a good shot and sees the ice well and contributes on the PP. He was the only Junior A player on Canada’s WJC team and was a first pair d-man with Calvin de Haan.

26. New York Islanders – Nick Leddy – D
CS: # 24NA —– THN: # 25 —– McK: # 24
ISS: # 21 (Alex Goligoski) —– RLR: # 19(Phil Housely/Kris Letang)
TSN: # 29 (Paul Martin)
The Islanders would be very happy to see Olen fall to them at 26. If he doesn’t, they will still draft a d-man, but will go more for the offensive than defensive. Leddy has game changing ability thanks to his outstanding skating, puck handling and ice vision. Voted “Mr. Hockey” as the top senior player in Minnesota, Leddy would have gone higher in the draft if not for his size (5-11/179) and strength – two things that will improve with time.

27. Carolina Hurricanes – Drew Shore – C
CS: # 28NA —– THN: # 23 —– McK: # 20
ISS: # 18 (Rod Brind’Amour) —– RLR: # 65(R.J. Umberger)
TSN: # 30 (Ryan Kesler)
With Rod Brind’Amour playing such a big part for Carolina in the past eight plus seasons, the Hurricanes would love to add a younger model to their organization. Shore is another one of those solid two-way pivots. He bases his game on strong skating ability, smart use of his size (6-2/190) and solid playmaking ability. Shore, who will play Denver University, next year, is a potential top six forward who will play in all situations.

28. Chicago Blackhawks – Jeremy Morin – LW
CS: # 33NA —– THN: # 21 —– McK: # 37
ISS: # 27 (Zach Parise) —– RLR: # 15(Dany Heatley)
TSN: # 31 (Ray Sheppard)
Chicago is another team who has been connected to Dany Heatley. Whether they get involved or not, the offensive ability Morin brings to the table is too hard for Chicago to pass on. His performance in helping the USA win the U-18 championship (6 goals and 4 assists in 7 games) is indicative of what kind of talent Jeremy has. Other players may be better skaters, but few have the shot and offensive ability that Morin unleashes.

29. Detroit Red Wings – Carl Klingberg – LW
CS: # 7E —– THN: # 37 —– McK: # 27
ISS: # 32 (Ryan Getzlaf) —– RLR: # 44 (Mike Fisher)
TSN: 34 (Kirk Maltby)
Ken Holland Jim Nill have become quite adept at retooling the Red wings despite having the best draft positions. Klingberg is the type of player the Red Wings have brought in over the years. He has imposing size (6-3/205), strong skating ability and an ability to play an NHL-style of game prior to coming to North America. Carl played on the same lines as Magnus Svensson-Paarjavi and Jacob Josefson at the U-18 tournament and did more than just hold his own.

30. Pittsburgh Penguins – Jordan Caron – RW/C
CS: # 21NA —– THN: # 33 —– McK: # 21
ISS: # 25 (Jason Arnott) —– RLR: # 30(Wojtech Wolski)
TSN: # 22 (Steve Bernier)
The Penguins have some cap issues to face during the summer – as do most teams. With some age and salary questions among their forwards, Ray Shero should look to add some complimentary players for Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Caron brings a solid mix of size (6-2/202) and offensive ability and projects out as a power forward in the NHL. He was one Rimouski’s best players during the playoffs this season.

A plethora of empty seats stood as the backdrop, giving the venue the feeling of another Islanders home game. But post-season hockey returned to the building after a two-year absence, though it wasn’t in the form for which the organization hoped.

To open the American Hockey League Calder Cup playoffs, the Islanders allowed its AHL affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers to play its first two home games at the Coliseum. The venue appeared too big for the event, with a respectable minor league crowd of 4,927 looking embarrassingly small spread out among the facility’s 16,237 seats.

Yet even in a 3-2 loss to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in Game 1 of the East Division Semifinals, Trevor Smith said playing at the Coliseum was a reward for the Sound Tigers who have not been called up to the Islanders.

“It’s an experience to be in the dressing room and be treated like an NHL player,” said Smith, who sported a bloody gash on his nose sitting just feet away from the large Islanders logo in the middle of the carpet. “They have all the [Islanders] trainers, all the equipment guys. It’s a nice atmosphere.”

Smith scored a goal and assisted on another, contributing to each of Bridgeport’s two goals. After scoring 30 goals in 76 games, the Sound Tigers leading goal-scorer in the regular season has already experienced the thrill of scoring a NHL goal in the arena during his seven-game promotion in the middle of the Islanders campaign.

With front office executives, especially general manager Garth Snow, paying attention to Bridgeport’s playoff performance, Smith said coming through in high-pressure situations can make a lasting impression.

“You make your career in the playoffs,” Smith said. “That’s what teams are looking for down the stretch. It’s an important playoff series for all the guys.”

At Harbor Yard, the Sound Tigers averaged 4,528 fans per game. Though that figure was just average compared to rest of the AHL, Bridgeport finished with a league-best 29-7-1-3 record at home.

Jack Capuano, the Sound Tigers head coach, said the experience was a positive. But he added that the location didn’t matter once the puck dropped.

“It’s still the same ice surface; it was a great crowd and a great atmosphere to play in,” Capuano said. “We know it’s going to be a tough task and hopefully it’s going to be a long series.”

Okposo played 35 games for Bridgeport last season after signing a professional contract to leave the University of Minnesota. The 2006 first-round pick didn’t play a single game for the Sound Tigers this season, as the 21-year-old was leading the Islanders in scoring during his rookie year, tallying 18 goals in 65 games.

The team moved Okposo down in order to get him postseason experience. It also is a move designed to keep him sharp for the World Championships, where he will represent the United States in the tournament that runs April 24-May 10 in Europe.  Okposo did not score against the Penguins.

Friday night, Okposo wasn’t the only familiar Islander who donned the white, orange and blue Sound Tigers uniform that looks very similar to the Isles road jerseys. Jon Sim and Jack Hillen were also in the lineup.

Like Okposo, Hillen just concluded his rookie NHL season. He scored one goal and added five assists in 40 games. The 23-year-old defenseman spent nearly half of the season in Bridgeport, logging 33 games for the Sound Tigers. Okposo’s situation is the exception while Hillen’s ledger is more the norm, with many players moving frequently back-and-forth the Long Island Sound.

Hillen said his ample time in the AHL makes the playoff experience valuable even as he spent a sizable portion of the season at a higher level.

“It’s extremely special for me,” Hillen said. “I felt like I was on two teams this year. I played equally on both teams. I was down in Bridgeport just as much and all the guys on both teams are just as important to me, so I want to win this more than anything.”

The last time the Coliseum hosted a professional hockey postseason game was in 2006, when the Islanders dropped Games 3 and 4 to top-seeded Buffalo in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. Buffalo won both games in Uniondale and the Islanders lost both of its home playoff games in first-round losses to Tampa Bay and Ottawa in 2004 and 2003, respectively.

Three home victories in the memorable quarterfinal series loss to Toronto in 2002 still marks the last time the Islanders won a home playoff game. Bridgeport will look to be the first professional home hockey team to win a postseason contest at the Coliseum in Game 2 Saturday. Opening faceoff is set for 7 p.m.

“I know the league’s bylaws say the top eight teams qualify for the playoffs in the conference, but I mean, we shut-out the Red Wings in Detroit,” Gordon said. “Right there, that has to wipe up half of December’s games against mediocre opponents. Besides, the league could use the revenue of an extra round.”

Indeed the Islanders blanked the defending champion Red Wings on the road last week, following that up with a close shootout loss to the Flyers the following night. General manager Garth Snow said he would petition the league for inclusion in the playoffs because of the estimated 10,000 man games lost to injury and the fact the clubs plays in an arena twice condemned by the state health department as inhospitable.

“If our core players didn’t miss so much time, we’d be battling in our division right now,” Snow said. “I don’t want to overstate things, but if we had Rick DiPietro healthy for a full season, our personnel people estimate we’d have between 60-70 wins, easily.”

The Islanders will argue that since less than half the league qualifies for the postseason, it is a shame to suggest the regular season is a viable way to eliminate unqualified teams. Jim Jones, a member of the Isles booster club, echoed that sentiment.

“Come on, I’ve seen CYO leagues that eliminate more teams in the regular season than the NHL,” said Jones, who pushed for adding an extra round with byes worked in to accommodate all teams.  “I mean, the team might not have a 20-goal scorer, but pure statistics or records or eyewitness accounts can’t measure how many good young players the Islanders have. I mean sure, our best offensive player is a defenseman, but come on, in any given three month periods, anybody can win five straight best-of-seven rounds. Think about it, we beat Detroit!”

Should the Isles prove successful in its request, they could have a late acquisition to help with the championship run. While refusing to criticize the Town of Hempstead for failing to move quickly on the Lighthouse Project, former Islander Alexei Yashin said he would consider a comeback and guaranteed a 50-goal season with 200 penalty minutes in what he called a special “hybrid” role as sniper/enforcer.

“If it wasn’t for the Town of Hempstead questioning the logic of a $4 billion project, there’s no doubt in my mind the Islanders scouting system would have had intelligent, well-thought out drafts and player development goals,” Yashin said. “I can personally attest to the fact that if they build it, I will come back.

“Like I said, people said I was too soft the first time I was on Long Island. I want to show I can score and fight, sometimes even in the same shift. With new facilities and a world class weight room and surrounding shopping centers and luxury apartments, it’ll be a no-brainer that we can finally win a division.”

UNIONDALE, NY- Instead of a slew of comings and goings, the Islanders made just one anticipated deal before the NHL’s trade deadline Wednesday.

General manager Garth Snow’s only move was an expected transaction, as the Islanders traded Bill Guerin to Pittsburgh for a conditional draft pick. The Isles will receive no worse than a fifth round pick that could be bumped up to a fourth-round choice if the Penguins qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Should the Pens win a postseason round and Guerin appears in half of Pittsburgh’s games, the Islanders will receive a third rounder. The fifth-round selection originally belonged to Tampa Bay.

“The entire Islanders organization has the utmost respect for Bill Guerin and we sincerely thank him for his time on Long Island and as the team’s captain,” Snow said.

Before the 3 p.m. deadline, NHL clubs completed 22 trades totaling 45 players and 21 draft picks. But the Islanders did not make any more trades after shipping out the team’s captain. Snow held on to impending free agents Doug Weight and Andy Hilbert and also kept defensemen Brendan Witt and Radek Martinek, who were rumored to be on the trading block.

“As a seller, you can’t make a trade for the sake of making a trade,” Snow said in Room 6 at Nassau Coliseum, the same site where two years ago the Isles shocked the league by acquiring All-Star Ryan Smyth for a stretch-run deadline deal.

Guerin became the 11th captain in franchise history when he signed a two-year deal before the 2007-08 season. He was one of just two Isles to crack the 20-goal mark in last season, notching 23 goals and 21 assists in 81 games. He tallied 39 goals in 142 games for the Islanders, including career goal No. 400 earlier in the current campaign. The 38-year-old will be joining his seventh team after agreeing to waive his no-move clause to go to a Penguins team that went to the Stanley Cup Finals last spring.

“Billy brings that veteran presence,” Pittsburgh general manager Ray Shero said. “He’s a right winger with a right shot, and he can still skate. I talked to him this afternoon after the trade and I told him what I was expecting of him. He’s a goal scorer. Billy Guerin can play with good players and score goals – he’s certainly done that in the past. I think we have the players for him to play with and support him.

“He has size. We wanted to get bigger and we wanted to get a little bit stronger up front and I believe that’s a good fit. Hopefully it’s a good move for both of us.”

The move settled a situation that dominated talk around the Islanders after Snow pulled Guerin from the ice before Saturday night’s against Buffalo. Guerin skated in the pregame warmup but was not on the bench for the opening faceoff. He also was held out of Monday’s victory over Colorado, fueling trade speculation that had reports suggesting Guerin could be headed to Montreal or Washington.

“I had a conversation leading up to the warm-up and after contacting Bill’s agent and talking it over a little bit, it was in everyone’s best interest that he probably shouldn’t play and when I say we, I mean the three of us…really didn’t want to risk bill getting injured,” Snow said.

Snow left open the possibility for re-signing Hilbert and Weight and said he never intended to conduct whole-sale changes despite the Isles league-low 47 points and 20-36-7 record.

“We’ll do whatever we have to do to be better,” Snow said. “We weren’t going just go in and have a fire sale. If we identify a free agent to be as someone as we can re-sign, we’ll take that road.”

Last year at the trade deadline, the Penguins also made a move at the deadline before playing the Islanders. The same press room at Nassau Coliseum was where the Pens announced Marian Hossa’s acquisition, which propelled Pittsburgh into the finals. Entering Wednesday night, the Pens were clinging to the eighth and final playoff spot with 72 points and 17 games remaining.

“They’re playing great; I’m really looking forward to it,” Guerin told TSN. “I’ll just go in and be myself. They get you for a specific reason. The best thing you can do is just go and be yourself and support the leadership that they have there. It’s a great opportunity for me.”

On a side note, Guerin’s acquisition comes on the same day the Pens assigned former Islander Miroslav Satan to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Satan was subjected to trade rumors last deadline but the Isles kept him for the remainder of the regular season and let him leave as a free agent over the summer.

UNIONDALE, NY- Garth Snow pulled off a blockbuster two years ago when he packaged prospects and a first-round draft pick for All-Star 40-goal scorer Ryan Smyth. But two years later, the only trade deadline move the Islanders made was shipping Bill Guerin to Pittsburgh for a conditional fifth-round pick that might turn into a third-round choice.

While the Guerin deal didn’t exactly dominate headlines around the league, it still ended days of speculation about the 38-year-old winger’s future. Snow also completed some minor deals yesterday, assigning Jon Sim to AHL Bridgeport and activated defenseman Thomas Pock and center Nate Thompson from injured reserve.

Impending free agents Andy Hilbert and Doug Weight were retained and Snow said both players could be offered contract extensions. The third-year general manager said the opportunity to shop veterans at the deadline was a unique experience.

“No, not disappointed or frustrated,” Snow said about the lack of deals. “For me it was the first time as GM that I’ve been in this situation where we were sellers…first year we were buyers, last year we were two back from a playoff position…putting a price tag on certain deals…if it happened we would have seriously considered it obviously this year with the situation we were in we were looking obviously to be a seller.”

Islanders management touted this season as a youth movement where developing prospects would be valued more than wins and losses. Yet some player conflicts with first-year head coach Scott Gordon led to trading 24-year-old defenseman Chris Campoli and Mike Comrie in a trade to Ottawa that netted a late first-round pick.

When a club enters the deadline sporting an NHL-low 47 points and a 20-36-7 record and will not likely tout a 30-goal scorer for a second consecutive season, Snow suggested there is no list of untouchables on the roster.

“Obviously there is no one who is untradeable the same way Wayne Gretzky got traded, anything can happen…you can’t in a situation we’re in being in 30^th place, have a lot of players who are untradeable.

“We have a good foundation of players who are returning and we can get healthy now, and over the summer and be flying when training camp arrives. But now obviously the team is playing well, we have a lot of younger players and the veterans who have done an admiral job in tough situations. We are here to win hockey games too.”

While Campoli was traded off Long Island, 34-year-old Brendan Witt will continue to call Nassau Coliseum his home. While that move might cause some people to question the consistency in touting a youth movement, Snow said Witt still has value to the team despite his public criticism of Gordon’s system earlier this season.

“To me Brendan Witt is what the Islanders are looking to be. He’s tough he plays with a lot of heart, selfless; he’s a good leader in the locker room. He’s a player we’ve had here for a few years now and were happy he’s back for two more.”

Snow did not immediately name a success for Guerin, who was the 11^th captain in franchise history. He did praise the former 40-goal scorer for embracing the captaincy when he signed a two-year contract before the 2007-08 campaign.

“He’s a great leader,” Snow said. “It’s tough for me because Bill is a good friend of mine, it’s a tough part of the job for me when you have to do a move like this, with a player whose a close friend.”