Just got done talking to an Islanders insider here at the Blog Box. We grilled them on some potential moves and when we got on the subject of Montreal his style of answering changed. When I asked him who could be coming our way and I brought up the Long Island boys - there was a clear period of thought and non-answering. Take it for what it’s worth, but that’s how rumors start. There could also be some potential interest in Hossa, although I don’t feel we have enough assets to make the move.

By Long Island boys I am talking about Chris Higgins and Mike Komisarek.

Just to let everyone in on a little joke today, I am wearing a Ryan Smyth t-shirt that my father got me as a joke for Christmas (He’s a Rangers fan). I figured I couldn’t bring the Islanders any bad luck and it would help warn off evil spirits.

More if and when it happens.

Hossa to Penguins! Yikes

Chris Botta just walked onto the ice and yelled up to us here in the blog box that Defenseman Rob Davison of the San Jose Sharks is now a member of the NY Islanders - for the mere price of a 7th round draft pick.

More to follow.

Per the NHLPA website:

Rob Davison started the 2005-06 National Hockey League season with the San Jose Sharks. Before spending the 2004-05 NHL lockout in Great Britain with the Cardiff Devils, Rob played in 75 NHL games with the Sharks over two years. After playing in 55 regular-season games in 2003-04, he played in five playoff games (two assists) in the Western Conference final against the Flames. He finished second on the Sharks with 92 penalty minutes. In 2002-03, he played in his first 15 NHL games and scored his first NHL goal.

At the minor-pro level, Rob has played for the Cleveland Barons and Kentucky Thoroughblades. Before turning pro, he played three seasons of major-junior hockey with the Ontario League’s North Bay Centennials. In his sophomore 1998-99 season, he was named the East’s Best Body Checker in the OHL coaches poll. After his rookie season, he was drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the fourth round of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. Before playing for the Centennials, Rob played junior-B hockey for the St. Michael’s Buzzers.

More Per the Islanders Website:

The New York Islanders have acquired defenseman Rob Davison from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a seventh round draft pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

The 27-year old Davison, currently in his fifth NHL season, has played 15 games for the Sharks this season. In 176 career NHL games, the 6-3, 220-pound native of St. Catharines, ON has recorded two goals with 12 assists for 14 points. He is regarded as a tough and very reliable stay-at-home defenseman and high character player.

Davison was originally drafted by San Jose in the fourth round (98th overall) of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft and has spent his entire professional career within the San Jose organization.

Just wanted to report that we have not heard ANYTHING as of yet. We watched the Islanders skate (Fedotenko WAS on the ice) as were several other players.

We went downstairs after a brief interview with Jim Baumbach of Newsday and took in the Mike Comrie press conference. We then sat in on the Ted Nolan press conference and listened to his thoughts on Comrie’s extension and tonights game against Pittsburgh. Comrie looks completely relieved compared to his interview on Islanders TV yesterday, he genuinely seems elated that he is still an Islander.

Just wanted to add that I am here with Tom Liodice from The Tiger Track, BD Gallof of Hockeybuzz and Jim Baumbach of Newsday.

Currently the Penguins are on the ice and I snapped a few pictures. As soon as we hear something, you guys will be the first to know.

Lots of moves around the league however.

Ken Dick of Okposo Net is now here, you should see how much Baumbach is busting his chops - it’s great!

Good morning trade deadline junkies!!! Nothing like taking the day off from work to fill everyone in with the latest trade and signing news ALL DAY!

Updated 8:09 AM

According to TSN, Mike Comrie has signed a 1 year contract extension!

Sources say the Islanders and centre Mike Comrie have agreed to a one-year, $4 million deal to keep the Edmonton, Alberta native in Long Island

Here is your latest Islanders news!

According to Darren Dreger on TSN, the Islanders and forward Mike Comrie are close to signing a one year contract extension.

As the NHL trade deadline rapidly approaches the New York Islanders may have potentially removed one of their trade targets from the market.

Sources say the Islanders and centre Mike Comrie are close to a one-year deal to keep the Edmonton native in Long Island.

In 63 games this season, Comrie leads the Islanders with 27 assists and 45 points. In 449 career games, the 27-year old has 141 goals and 166 assists for 307 points.

This past off-season he signed a one-year contract with the Isles after helping the Ottawa Senators reach the Stanley Cup finals

So between Newsday’s Greg Logan and now Darren Dreger (Who has more connections than Penn Station) this is two sources that have claimed Comrie is close to resigning. Should Comrie sign I expect a slight raise over this years contract as it’s only one year. That would tell me the team is satisfied with his play, but they feel he could be doing better - (read; not first line play).

Here we go folks! T-minus 7 hours 27 Minutes!

While there hasn’t exactly been a flurry of activity in or around the Islanders organization (or the league for that matter) there have been a number of notable moves and signings today. Let’s break down the latest:

The Detroit Red Wings have signed Darren McCarty to a one year deal; he had worked his way up through the ranks and will now eventually get to the big club. It is definitely the feel good story of the year. Check out TSN for all the details.

The Colorado Avalanche announced today that they have signed Peter Forsberg to a one year contract, marking his on again/off again return to the NHL. This could potentially impact all of the teams who where trying to persuade Foppa to their clubs, what will they do now and will this drive value up for the forwards left?

After a stunning come from behind victory over the Buffalo Sabres, the Philadelphia Flyers announced a trade for Tampa Bays Vaclav Prospal. In return the Lightning receive defensive prospect Alexandre Picard and a second or third round draft pick in 2009.

On the heels of this announcement, the Lightning announced that they have come to terms with defenseman Dan Boyle on a 6 year $40 million dollar contract that will pay him $6.66 million per year.

With the latter three moves/signings I posted, it could very well throw kinks into the plans of rival GM’s. There are only so many names on the lists of players teams are interested in or even available, so this drives the value of those players up - what would’ve originally been worth a mid level prospect, pick can now be worth both or an elite prospect or high pick. What does this mean for the Islanders? It could mean one of two things. The Islanders are now in a tough position having only lost one game over the last 7, and being 2 points out of a playoff spot. They could sell off pending unrestricted free agents for higher than average yield, or they could try to sign one or two of them and get whatever they can for the rest.

Greg Logan reported in yesterday’s Newsday that forwards Miroslav Satan, Josef Vasicek, Ruslan Fedotenko and Mike Comrie could find themselves on a different team come tomorrow’s trade deadline. Satan is the only player of the four who has a no trade clause - and Logan reports (at the time of print) Satan had not been approached about waiving it. It was also purported that Comrie and Vasicek had been offered contract extensions - but negotiations were ongoing.

However, when I checked the site for an update (as I type this) it appears new developments have broken. Per Logan:

According to an NHL source, the Islanders now have made an offer to right wing Miroslav Satan in addition to their previous offers to centers Mike Comrie and Josef Vasicek. Forward Ruslan Fedotenko’s agent is engaged in discussions with Isles general manager Garth Snow and has made it clear his client wants to stay, but it’s doubtful that will lead to a contract before Tuesday’s 3 p.m. deadline. Forward Chris Simon also is headed to free agency without an offer.

Continuing on in Logan’s article - it appears that everyone involved in contract discussions appears happy where they are and in Comrie’s case worried about leaving the Islanders enough flexibility cap-wise to add more talent:

Snow is willing to give Comrie a long-term contract for the equivalent of second-line money. Comrie would prefer a shorter term that gives both sides flexibility. His priorities revolve more around the role he plays and making sure there is enough talent for the team to succeed.

Details about Satan’s contract details were not discussed - as Miro left practice without speaking to the media. I would imagine that he would want to see a modest raise over his current $4,500,000 contract. He could see upwards of $5 million on the open market come July 1st, so with other UFA’s to get under contract - is Satan worth that kind of money? If he really does like the Islanders as much as he says, is he willing to take less money in order to stay? He has been an absolute warrior for the team this season (playing hurt) and it would be tough to see him walk.

Will tomorrow be the last time we see some of these players in an Islanders uniform? Will we see a trade with Toronto go down that will land us defensive help in Bryan McCabe? Nobody really knows for sure - but one way or another tomorrow is a big day for the Islanders.

There is nothing like a new arena, I hope those rumors of the Lighthouse project being approved are true, Long Island needs something like this!

Sightlines are ok, were pretty high in section 119 and its pretty steep. Good news is the Isles shoot at us twice, we are behind Brodeur as you can see below.

More after warmups!