BREAKING NEWS
The Islanders have traded Mike Comrie and Chris Campoli to the Ottawa Senators for a 1st round draft pick and Dean McAmmond!
The first round draft pick originally belonged to the San Jose Sharks.
Per the Islanders Website
Per the Islanders official press release:
The New York Islanders have acquired center Dean McAmmond and a 2009 first round draft pick from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for defenseman Chris Campoli and center Mike Comrie.
“We’re excited that we are able to add another piece to our rebuilding plans while bringing in someone like Dean who will provide additional depth for our team,” said Islanders General Manager Garth Snow. “The Islanders organization would like to thank Mike and Chris for their contributions both on and off the ice over the past few seasons.”
McAmmond has played in 44 games with the Senators this season, scoring three goals and four assists for seven points. In 916 career NHL games, the 15-year veteran has recorded 176 goals and 246 assists for 422 points and 442 penalty minutes. The 35-year-old Alberta native was originally drafted by Chicago in the first round (22nd overall) of the 1991 NHL Entry Draft.
The Islanders also receive a 2009 first round draft pick, which originally belonged to the San Jose Sharks.
Campoli was drafted by the Islanders in the seventh round (227th overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. In 228 career NHL games – all with the Islanders – he recorded 20 goals and 63 assists for 83 points. Comrie was signed by the Islanders as a free agent on July 5, 2007. The 28-year-old Edmonton native has played in 503 career NHL games, scoring 151 goals and 180 assists for 331 points with Edmonton, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Ottawa and the Islanders.
Per TSN
Botta has his take on this as always, claiming Campoli had asked to be traded for a change of scenery. Interesting development, as Campoli was a puck mover, seemed to fit into Gordon’s system and was doing fairly well this season. This makes two jersey’s I own useless now (authentics too…) a Satan and now my Campoli. Good thing that DiPietro I have isn’t ever going to go out of style….
Somehow Garth Snow was able to squeeze a first round draft pick out of Ottawa for this pair of players, perhaps he tried for a prospect in addition to the pick but likely couldn’t get the coveted first rounder. Comrie fills a much needed center void, the Sens are familiar with what he can do during his last tour of duty there and with Campoli they get a quick puck mover who has a reasonable contract and one year remaining.
Sure, as IslesFaninCA points out we shipped out two relatively young players who could have been key to the rebuild. However, Jack Hillen has been making great strides and Bruno Gervais has been improving steadily defensively. This is also a good chance for another young player to make his break into the Islanders lineup – even though MacAmmond clearly gets his due.
Greg Logan now weighs in on his blog with his take on things – reminding everyone that the Sharks are a powerhouse and the pick would be the 29th overall should it be held today. Logan also claims that both players were unhappy playing under Scott Gordon – which I have to admit concerns me. This makes three players (that we know of) unhappy with Gordon’s systems – how many more are there?
To me the best part of this trade is that the Islanders have FOUR picks in the top 50 if not top 40 of this years draft!!! It could be conceivable at this point that Garth can package that first rounder he acquired today with another roster player for a bigger forward…..one who could make an immediate impact.
Wow. I thought Comrie was finally starting to gel with Okposis and Bailey on “The Kid Line”.
If this is Garth Snow’s attempt to continue to with the youth movement, not sure how trading Comrie does this.
Does Snow have a draft pick in mind?
Comrie has been coasting for so many games – I have had enough of him personally.
The concerning part for me is that Campoli asked to be traded and that Comrie was also unhappy in Gordon’s system. How many more players feel that way?
However, we now have four picks in the top 50 of this years draft. We can retool FAST if scouting is done properly. We can also trade a pick and a player for someone who can make an immediate impact.
Garth has lots of options and a bit more time to work some magic before the deadline.
A brillent trade. If im an Ottawa fan im shakinf my head but to have 5 picks in the first 2 rounds in a stacked draft is gonna be awsome
Yeah, I don’t think Comrie was coming back this summer no matter what. Logan says he wasn’t happy, either.
Mike, good point about the three malcontents and counting now. It does give one pause. Something to watch. Maybe it will be moot as Gordon will have more and more youth to guide.
Do the Islanders really need to ask why i have given up my season tickets?? I think Okposo and Bailey may be too old for the new youth movement, too. Maybe we can trade them to the Hartford Whalers for the Gordie Howe and the rights to the Whale logo.
I like the trade. Sad to see Campoli go, but i think we have enough in Gervais and Hillen to get us through this year. If Gilroy is signed, then it’s even better. Hope SJ loses in the first round 🙂
Making the 2 1/2 hour trip today against the Devils, see you guys there.