I have been reluctant to sit down and actually write about today and I haven't read anyone elses' work either. I didn't think that anything big would happen. I was correct.

See, it's one thing when a team is in a playoff hunt looking for something to help push them higher in the standings. It's also different if a team just doesn't click at all and there seems to be no hope other than going "Ka-Boom!" Then Trade Deadline Day is important.

And then there are the New York Islanders; a team that seems so close to finding a way to win that adding or subtracting any pieces may screw up the whole thing. Meanwhile there are important puzzle pieces still in the box waiting to fit in to finish the big picture.

Too much? Okay. But that's basically what happened.

Newsday's Katie Strang said that there was interest in both Konopka and Martinek, both of whom have done nothing but announce how much they like this team and this organization. Both of whom will be UFAs at the end of the season. Martinek has been called one of the most underrated defensemen in the league and Konopka has won over the room and the fans (but not the refs).

Is it any wonder why Garth Snow would have put a high price-tag on them if another team was looking for their services? No. Is it any wonder why he didn’t bring on a high priced player who was in the last year of his contract? Uh, no.

Somewhere in the back of my head, I wondered if a 2nd round pick could have been obtained for Konopka for the balance of the season, if Z STILL would have ended up back on the Islanders after July. Just a thought.

But, I fully expected to see one or two depth signings to fill out the Bridgeport roster. I was surprised that no new names were added. Really surprised.

I wasn't exactly surprised to see that Nate Lawson cleared waivers. Considering his current NHL stats, Lawson would not be able to help an NHL club looking to make a run.

So that leaves the only move that was made today -- Rob Schremp was claimed off waivers by Atlanta while the team was practicing at the Coliseum before their flight to DC.

Hail, Hail, the gang was all there today including Captain Doug Weight and Rick DiPietro. Katie Strang tweeted that Rob had "mixed feelings" about being claimed off waivers -- again. He enjoyed this group of young men. He liked it here. It is always hard to leave on such short notice to start all over again.

Luckily for Rob, he is young and single. While it is difficult, his only worry is himself. Schremp called into NHL Live today after learning of his move and was honest. He was happy that an NHL team wanted him, but sad to leave the team he had grown so fond of. Everyone wishes Rob luck as he continues to prove himself in the NHL.

As one of the only media representatives (or maybe even THE only one) at the Coliseum today, Strang also Tweeted “Snow satisfied with standing pat: "For me, the way our team was playing, I'm comfortable keeping our group intact." And “Snow said he made his major moves (Roloson, Wisniewski) a couple of months ago when team was further out of playoff picture.”


Trade day seemed very quiet for much of the NHL. I laughed when I heard the Power Play on XM Home Ice announcer say "You know, maybe if Trade Deadline had more media coverage, the GMs would be more active." That garnered a hardly laugh from the entire panel.

So here we stand. Zenon Konopka and his rabbit Hoppy get to stay on Long Island and hang with PA Parenteau. Radek Martinek may get his wish to complete his career with the team that drafted him in 1999 when he didn't speak a word of English. Mark Streit may still make an appearance before the season ends in that jersey of his that is gathering dust in Shakey's equipment room. And the young core of 1st rounders remains intact.

With Rob Schremp bid adieu, Justin DiBenedetto has been called up from Bridgeport as the Islanders face the Washington Capitals again.

Oh, and Michael Grabner didn’t manage to get the baby swing put together before he had to get on the plane today. See what sort of info you get out of Twitter? Priceless.

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