Speculation (read: rumors) has been running rampant the past several days that the Tampa Bay Lightning are looking to purge themselves of Dan Boyle’s six-year $40-million dollar contact in order to reach a self imposed spending limit. The problem with this grand master plan is that Boyle was given a no trade clause in his extension prior to last years trade deadline. There have been numerous teams rumored asking about the services of Boyle, you guessed it - the Islanders are said to be in the mix.

Normally, I would take whatever I read on the various message boards or rumor websites with a grain of salt - but the websites and writers I respect most are all reporting the same things. Greg Logan from Newsday wrote about it in a story for Friday’s paper and in his blog, Spector mentions the Islanders in his Boyle updates, and Kuklas Korner also mentions the Islanders with Boyle. What makes things even more interesting, is that the Islanders are even mentioned in a local Tampa newspaper blog as well. All signs point to this being a confirmed interest in Boyle.

While Boyle may not fit into what the Islanders are trying to accomplish perfectly, he is another offensive defenseman - and a fairly solid defender. Tampa is looking to shed salary, so this is another example of how the Islanders cap-space has become even more valuable. The Lightning are trading from a position of weakness, so the Islanders could snatch Boyle up for a mid-level prospect and a 2nd or 3rd round draft pick. To me, this would be a no brainer because it would solidify the defensive corps and you can then shift your focus on adding a top-six forward to jump start the offense. Boyle doesn’t make the Isles any more of a contender than they would be without him, but he definately makes them a solid team defensively. This is something that needs to be watched closely over the next coming days, that is for sure.

July 4th Update

Apparently San Jose has traded for Dan Boyle and completely overpayed in my eyes: Dan Boyle and Brad Lukowich to San Jose for Matt Carle, Ty Wishart, a 1st and a 4th

Chris Botta claims that the Islanders did more than just “kick the tires” in his blog - they very much wanted Boyle - but I bet the first round pick made Snow cringe and terminate any talks of a trade. Good on ya Garth!

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It’s Eklund, so take it for what it’s worth:

“Source: Isles putting together “mega offer for Hossa”"
- Eklund

This Isles fan wouldn’t be surprised if Hossa was part of the plan all along and Charles gave the go ahead on one of his INSANE contract offers.

More IF it develops.

Apparently Eklund made a mistake in the time it took me to get where I was going. Offer is to Rolston.

Thanks to Joe for reminding me to update!

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Alright, excuse my attempt at a witty title.

I try to avoid posting crazy rumors and speculation, but I will always post something when I feel it it has somewhat of a credible substance. Why post anything about Doug Weight however, especially if we are supposedly in a rebuild?

That is an easy question to answer.

Doug Weight is a 37 year old center and big-bodied forward, born from the same class of current Islanders players such as Bill Guerin and Mike Sillinger. I have said on numerous occasions that you need gritty veterans around to show the youngsters the ropes and pass on all the knowledge they have gathered during their long NHL careers. Doug Weight fills numerous roles, he can pot some goals, he is a centerman, he fits the above criteria on teaching the Islanders youth of tomorrow and most importantly - is a very close friend of the aforementioned Bill Guerin.

Some of Weight’s stats from the past two seasons:

Season Team League Games Goals Assists PTS PIM
2006–07 St. Louis Blues NHL 82 16 43 59 56
2007-08 St. Louis Blues NHL 29 4 7 11 12
2007-08 Anaheim Ducks NHL 38 6 8 14 20

While Weight had a decline in production last season, this was mostly due to playing on a sniper depleted team in the Blues and in new territory after being traded to Anaheim at last years trade deadline. He is only one season removed from a 59 point output - which he should be able to get back to if lined up with some potential stars in Okposo and Bergenheim.

Do I think Doug Weight is a savior or a means to an end? No, but I think he will serve the perfect veteran role on the Islanders and provide them with secondary scoring they so sorely lack. Chris Botta really hits a home run with his post tonight on Weight, which is the real inspiration to expand on the notion of his addition.

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Well, can’t really say I am surprised by this denial. I am somewhat relieved that the madness surrounding McCabe has been stomped out once again because I really want the Islanders to draft Nikita Filatov.

At least for now the Islanders are standing pat with that #5 pick!

Per Sportsnet.ca:

Bryan McCabe’s agent Ian Pulver offered a quick response to a story in the Toronto Sun that suggested the Maple Leafs would try to move the defenceman to the Islanders in a draft-day deal and would not cosnsider a buy-out.

“We continue to hear that the Leafs want to trade Bryan McCabe. Bryan has a no-move clause in his contract that was negotiated with and agreed to by the Leafs. Bryan is not inclined to waive the no-move clause,” Pulver told Sportsnet.ca. “He enjoys living and playing in Toronto and the team is a first-class organization. Bryan has logged more minutes than any other Leafs player in the past seven years and given his heart and soul to this franchise. If the Leafs want to move forward without Bryan they should buy out the remaining years on his contract.”

The report suggested that McCabe might be willing to accept a trade to Long Island, where he and his wife reside during the off-season.

McCabe still has three years remaining on a six-year deal that pays the defenceman around $5.75 million per season.

Until the next episode of “As the McCabe Rumor turns!”

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Another hot rumor this morning!

OTTAWA — If often-criticized defenceman Bryan McCabe is a potential victim of the imminent Maple Leafs housecleaning as is expected, it likely will not come via the buyout route.

That was the word yesterday from Maple Leafs general manager Cliff Fletcher, who is aware that McCabe’s average salary of $5.75 million US translates to a hefty cap hit (almost $3-million per season for six years) in the event the Leafs attempted to buy him out.

The more logical way to go is to trade the veteran defenceman, the belief being that McCabe might waive the no-movement clause in his contract in order to go to a preferable destination such as the New York Islanders. The McCabes spend their off-seasons on Long Island, where Bryan’s wife, Roberta, grew up.

One theory making the rounds here leading up to tomorrow’s 2008 entry draft was that the Leafs might attempt to include McCabe and their No. 7 overall pick to the Islanders for a package that includes the No. 5 selection. By moving up two spots, the Leafs likely would land either Niagara defenceman Alex Pietrangelo or Russian forward Nikita Filatov, two players they covet.

But rather than make a knee-jerk reaction deal, the Leafs are thinking that it might be more prudent to wait until August when McCabe’s value on the market could swell slighty. With only two blue-chip free-agent blue liners — Brian Campbell and Wade Redden — available in free agency, McCabe, who has struggled the past couple of seasons, might fetch more interest by teams desperate to augment their back end.

Toronto Sun Article

Not sure I like this as it goes against two statements from Garth. Why lose the fifth overall and absorb cap space and age?

The only way I like this deal is if we get McCabe, the #7 pick, and one of Kyle Wellwood or Alexei Ponikarovsky. We get a top pairing d-man, retain a great first round pick and get a young veteran to retain the “youth movement” feeling.

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From the Ottawa Sun, it’s Bruce Garrioch so take that for what its worth!

Olli Jokinen has packed his bags.

League sources told Sun Media yesterday that the Panthers centre has told GM Jacques Martin he wants out and the club will try to grant his wish during this weekend’s NHL draft in Ottawa.

While Jokinen’s agent, Mark Gandler, wouldn’t confirm the trade demand, indications are the relationship between Jokinen and Martin is so strained that incoming coach Peter DeBoer won’t be able to help soothe things over.

“The player’s job is to play. The manager’s job is to manage,” said Gandler.

It’s believed the Flames have made a pitch for Jokinen, who played for current Calgary coach Mike Keenan in Florida.

The Panthers, however, are going to want more than forward Alex Tanguay from the Flames if they’re going to make a deal.

The Flames aren’t alone in their pursuit of Jokinen. Sources say the Coyotes, Blues, Canucks, Wild and Islanders have all shown an interest in Jokinen.

Ottawa Sun Article on Jokinen

This is one rumor that makes my eyebrow raise a bit. Jokinen is a guy who has been rumored on the move for quite some time. He is a true first line center, a player the Islanders sorely lack and he is at the ripe old age of 29. He fits into the mold of a rebuild and like I mentioned legitimizes the Islanders first line ten-fold.

What would go back the other way? Picks and prospects I imagine - Comeau, Tambellini?

Interesting though that this way the first rumor I heard this morning of what would be a “reunion” of Islanders alumni. Would Snow try to tempt fate and reverse all the ill-dealings of the Milbury era?

Interesting.

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