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Isles/Flames Preview

February 6, 2014, 2:04 PM ET [183 Comments]
Dan Petriw
New York Islanders Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Islanders return home tonight to take on the Calgary Flames at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. With the Olympic roster freeze going into place tomorrow this could be the last game for Thomas Vanek and Andrew MacDonald in Islanders’ uniforms. It was reported earlier today that MacDonald turned down a four year extension worth 4 million dollars a year. Both Amac and Vanek are garnering attention from many teams around the league and the Islanders will acquire assets for both players.

I thought the return for MacDonald would be a second round pick but with the demand for any type of blue line help at a premium I have been told that MacDonald may fetch a mid-level prospect or a late first round pick in return. That would be quite the haul for a player who has not had the best of seasons.

It is believed that Islanders General Manager Garth Snow has set the asking price for forward Thomas Vanek at a first round pick, a NHL forward and a prospect. Snow would likely make a move for two of these pieces if it was a player that could be a top six forward now or a high level prospect. I would also expect that Snow will push for a 2015 first round pick as opposed to a first rounder in this upcoming draft which is believed to be quite weak.

As for the game tonight, Islanders Head Coach Jack Capuano will go back to goalie Evgeni Nabokov after his stellar performance Tuesday night in D.C. The forward lines will remain the same and the defenseman will be decided after warm-ups. In injury news; Travis Hamonic practiced again today and barring any setbacks he may be available for Saturday’s game against Colorado. Even if he is not ready for Saturday surely he will be good to go after the Olympic break.

In Bridgeport news defenseman Andrey Pedan has been cleared to play and was assigned to the Stockton Thunder of the ECHL. Since Pedan has been out since November this move will give the rookie blue liner a chance to log some valuable minutes and get back into game shape. I don’t expect Pedan’s stay in the ECHL to be that long.

With the Olympic break upon us next week I will still have new articles up on hockey buzz. I have rounded up some interviews with various Islander prospects and I will be publishing them throughout the break so make sure you stop by and check them out. As always for more on all things hockey please follow me on twitter and Instagram at @DanDanNoodles78.
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