Salary Cap....
- keaner17

That's why I think Vanek stays with the Islanders and Snow trades him right before the July free agent frenzy for a 4th round draft pick...

Well, there's a lot that has to go into now when you consider the cap considerations. The CBA straightened a bit of it out by leveling the cap hit, but you still have to add $$ into the equation now as opposed to just "is this guy a good fit and worth what we're trading for him?"
- keaner17

I guess. Trades means excitement. Have to get trades back into the game. We need more Trader Phil's. I love how he used to make a trade everyday.

That's why I think Vanek stays with teh Islanders and Snow trades him right before the July free agent frenzy for a 4th round draft pick...
- kear20

I think I'm going to be sick.

I think I'm going to be sick.
- ses111

Go on Cap Geek...all the good teams are against the salary cap so they aren't going to trade for Vanek unless there's a salary swap...

From The Hockey News:

WILL VANEK & MACDONALD STAY OR GO?
A New York-area team worth watching near this year’s trade deadline is the Islanders, who must decide if they can afford to re-sign left winger Thomas Vanek and defenseman Andrew MacDonald.

Newsday’s Arthur Staple reports contract talks between the Isles and Vanek’s agent could pick up over the next couple of weeks. If Vanek, who the Isles acquired earlier this season from the Buffalo Sabres, isn’t willing to sign a long-term extension, Staple believes Isles GM Garth Snow will shop him at the trade deadline.

To his credit, Vanek told Newsday he would understand if the Islanders moved him at the deadline and wouldn’t rule out returning this summer as an unrestricted free agent.

If Vanek is willing to ink a long-term deal, the question becomes how much are the Islanders willing to pay. The 30-year-old is coming off a seven-year, $50-million deal, which he signed with the Sabres in 2007. His $7.1-million annual cap hit is considerably higher than that of Isles captain John Tavares ($5.5 million), who’s younger than Vanek and a better player. It’s difficult to imagine cash-conscious Isles owner Charles Wang approving a deal that pays a player considerably more than his franchise superstar.

As for MacDonald, he’s rumored to be seeking a contract in the range of $5 million per season. If so, this will be his last season with the Islanders. On a deeper team, MacDonald is a good second-pairing defenseman. If he wants to stay on Long Island, he must lower his asking price.

If the Islanders fail to gain ground in the Eastern Conference playoff race, Vanek and MacDonald, if still unsigned, will become playoff rental players by early-March. The San Jose Sharks, Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, Vancouver Canucks, New Jersey Devils, Ottawa Senators and Phoenix Coyotes could pursue Vanek, while the Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals could have interest in MacDonald.
- kear20

Best part of this one from staple, "on a deeper team Macdonald is a good second pairing defenseman". Is he out of his facking mind? On a good team he doesnt even crack the line up.

I don't know if he CANNOT. I guess we'll know soon enough. Again, it's awfully hard to fire a guy who managed to get your team into the playoffs. Credit deserved or not, the result of last season mandated the extension.

We all knew it at the time. You and I specifically identified it as the casualty of making the playoffs.
- keaner17

Yes. Stupid none the less especially if Snow is as hands on as we hope. He should have been fired two months ago. Zero accountability. When there is no accountability you get a team like the NY Islanders.

Best part of this one from staple, "on a deeper team Macdonald is a good second pairing defenseman". Is he out of his facking mind? On a good team he doesnt even crack the line up.
- Cptmjl

Problem with staple is he wants to be buddies with the players and never criticizes them. Ever!! He'll never criticize snow because they go golfing together Its a joke

You're using JJ as a validiation of his draft? Is that the same Jesse who showed nothing while he was here and then scored 2 goals in 29 games in Edmonton?

So it comes down to Okposo, a top 10 pick. Then Amac..who is worse than the black plague. That's 13 picks, with 2 presently playing in the NHL.
Sillinger was a journeyman signing and a good one. Witt was an overpriced UFA who had ONE good season here before losing the ability to even play in the NHL. Poti was a reclamation project who was coming off his worst season as a pro. So no, I wouldn't call that a huge impact.
- keaner17

They were three players that played in the NHL consistently one with success. You yourself have gauged Snow's draft record this same way you can't say Snow had a wonderful draft for having three NHL regulars and Smith's were a disaster. Witt was a victim of Gordon's "system" as were many players as we all know. Poti had 3 goals and 20 assists with the Rags and 6 goals and 38 assists with us. 44 points and a +6 on a shatty Islanders team. That's hardly a reclamation project. He'd be our first pairing defenseman if he played now and rightfully so with this collection of garbage we have on our blue line which Garth assembled and did nothing to help.
I feel you're saying it's easy to bash Snow on doing nothing? What I'm saying is it's just as easy if not more to say there was nothing he could do and there was nothing out there. That to me is the usual Islander fan notion that everything is OK in Islander country and Snow is on top of things. To me, he is so obviously not. I think some fans acceptence of failure helps facilitate it.

Problem with staple is he wants to be buddies with the players and never criticizes them. Ever!! He'll never criticize snow because they go golfing together Its a joke
- Vukota

I'm convinced all of these clowns are trying to drive his value up. If not and he gets resigned I for one will have to reconsider being a fan of this team until some competent management takes over. Done with this bush league BS. That'll push me over the edge.

From The Hockey News:

WILL VANEK & MACDONALD STAY OR GO?
A New York-area team worth watching near this year’s trade deadline is the Islanders, who must decide if they can afford to re-sign left winger Thomas Vanek and defenseman Andrew MacDonald.

Newsday’s Arthur Staple reports contract talks between the Isles and Vanek’s agent could pick up over the next couple of weeks. If Vanek, who the Isles acquired earlier this season from the Buffalo Sabres, isn’t willing to sign a long-term extension, Staple believes Isles GM Garth Snow will shop him at the trade deadline.

To his credit, Vanek told Newsday he would understand if the Islanders moved him at the deadline and wouldn’t rule out returning this summer as an unrestricted free agent.

If Vanek is willing to ink a long-term deal, the question becomes how much are the Islanders willing to pay. The 30-year-old is coming off a seven-year, $50-million deal, which he signed with the Sabres in 2007. His $7.1-million annual cap hit is considerably higher than that of Isles captain John Tavares ($5.5 million), who’s younger than Vanek and a better player. It’s difficult to imagine cash-conscious Isles owner Charles Wang approving a deal that pays a player considerably more than his franchise superstar.

As for MacDonald, he’s rumored to be seeking a contract in the range of $5 million per season. If so, this will be his last season with the Islanders. On a deeper team, MacDonald is a good second-pairing defenseman. If he wants to stay on Long Island, he must lower his asking price.

If the Islanders fail to gain ground in the Eastern Conference playoff race, Vanek and MacDonald, if still unsigned, will become playoff rental players by early-March. The San Jose Sharks, Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, Vancouver Canucks, New Jersey Devils, Ottawa Senators and Phoenix Coyotes could pursue Vanek, while the Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals could have interest in MacDonald.
- kear20

OK, now, once more, with facts:

1. Vanek is a UFA. Vanek is going to get paid what Vanek is worth based on what Vanek has produced over the years as is comparable to other players of his caliber, indexed for the current going rate. Vanek's paycheck next season is going to have absolute ZERO to do with how much John Tavares makes. John Tavares will not care and should not care- because the more Vanek makes, the more John Tavares will make the next time his contract comes up for discussion.

The more everyone makes, the more everyone makes. This is not an issue where you have a certain Russian player who used to sign contracts, then b*tch about how little he was making, then holdout, and then loaf around the ice and not lead any team he played for to anything but mediocrity on its best day. These are two players who work hard every night, who care about winning, and who excel at what they do. John Tavares is a professional who knows that Thomas Vanek's paycheck has nothing to do with HIS paycheck.

Put it another way- if the Isles by some miracle WERE able to acquire Shea Weber, do you really think JT would sulk about the fact that Weber makes twice as much money as he does? Or do you think he would be ecstatic that his GM brought another world class talent into the locker room, to help his team win a Stanley Cup? I mean, Brian Rolston was making more than Tavares when he was here, and he wasn't worth sh*t. JT just wants to win- he's going to get paid anyway, lest anyone lose any sleep over that.

2. MacDonald would be a serviceable third pair defenseman on a sh*t team. He would not MAKE a team with six good defensemen. No way. I just hope that someone talks someone else into giving us a second round draft pick for him, because that would be the bonus trade of the season- a number two for our number two (hey buddy, how's about a courtesy flush?).

In both cases, sometimes I think these writers just all parrot what they heard someone else say, and build a consensus based on everyone bullsh*tting each other in regards to things they know nothing about. I mean who could seriously watch #47 play, and say that he's "good"? Seriously? It gets to be pathetic after a while...but hey, if it works in our favor....

OK, now, once more, with facts:

1. Vanek is a UFA. Vanek is going to get paid what Vanek is worth based on what Vanek has produced over the years as is comparable to other players of his caliber, indexed for the current going rate. Vanek's paycheck next season is going to have absolute ZERO to do with how much John Tavares makes. John Tavares will not care and should not care- because the more Vanek makes, the more John Tavares will make the next time his contract comes up for discussion.

The more everyone makes, the more everyone makes. This is not an issue where you have a certain Russian player who used to sign contracts, then b*tch about how little he was making, then holdout, and then loaf around the ice and not lead any team he played for to anything but mediocrity on its best day. These are two players who work hard every night, who care about winning, and who excel at what they do. John Tavares is a professional who knows that Thomas Vanek's paycheck has nothing to do with HIS paycheck.

Put it another way- if the Isles by some miracle WERE able to acquire Shea Weber, do you really think JT would sulk about the fact that Weber makes twice as much money as he does? Or do you think he would be ecstatic that his GM brought another world class talent into the locker room, to help his team win a Stanley Cup? I mean, Brian Rolston was making more than Tavares when he was here, and he wasn't worth sh*t. JT just wants to win- he's going to get paid anyway, lest anyone lose any sleep over that.

2. MacDonald would be a serviceable third pair defenseman on a sh*t team. He would not MAKE a team with six good defensemen. No way. I just hope that someone talks someone else into giving us a second round draft pick for him, because that would be the bonus trade of the season- a number two for our number two (hey buddy, how's about a courtesy flush?).

In both cases, sometimes I think these writers just all parrot what they heard someone else say, and build a consensus based on everyone bullsh*tting each other in regards to things they know nothing about. I mean who could seriously watch #47 play, and say that he's "good"? Seriously? It gets to be pathetic after a while...but hey, if it works in our favor....
- dcb1

Well said. Saying Wang can't justify paying Vanek more than Tavares is moronic. If that's the case then why the fack did Snow trade for him in the first place? Even Snow with his limited intelligence could figure out that Vanek is going to make 7 million or more. I can't figure out whether Staple completely lacks any knowledge about anything hockey or he's just another Wang/Snow lackey? I'm guessing the answer is somewhere in the middle. His reports/blogs seem to get worse and worse.

Well said. Saying Wang can't justify paying Vanek more than Tavares is moronic. If that's the case then why the fack did Snow trade for him in the first place? Even Snow with his limited intelligence could figure out that Vanek is going to make 7 million or more. I can't figure out whether Staple completely lacks any knowledge about anything hockey or he's just another Wang/Snow lackey? I'm guessing the answer is somewhere in the middle. His reports/blogs seem to get worse and worse.
- Cptmjl

As I re-read it, luckily, I don't think it was Staple who was talking about him not being paid more than JT- in fact, anyone who knows anything about professional sports, like McKenzie or any of those guys, knows d*mned well that to say something like that is just f***ing stupid. That's usually the thought process of a 15-year-old fan, not a professional writer.

As I re-read it, luckily, I don't think it was Staple who was talking about him not being paid more than JT- in fact, anyone who knows anything about professional sports, like McKenzie or any of those guys, knows d*mned well that to say something like that is just f***ing stupid. That's usually the thought process of a 15-year-old fan, not a professional writer.
- dcb1

While I applaud your class, I don't think Hockeybuzz will ban you for saying "damned". Nor will anybody here think less of your clearly upstanding character, for (frank)s (frank)ing sake.

As I re-read it, luckily, I don't think it was Staple who was talking about him not being paid more than JT- in fact, anyone who knows anything about professional sports, like McKenzie or any of those guys, knows d*mned well that to say something like that is just f***ing stupid. That's usually the thought process of a 15-year-old fan, not a professional writer.
- dcb1

Yeah it was from the hockey news

Marc Methot has been a healthy scratch for Ottawa...how about AMAC for him? Do you think Phoenix would trade Yandle for Vanek?
- kear20

Why would the Yotes trade a top four with two more years on his contract for a rental???? Would you make that deal as a Rep for the Yotes???



XxNYIxX

While I applaud your class, I don't think Hockeybuzz will ban you for saying "damned". Nor will anybody here think less of your clearly upstanding character, for (frank)s (frank)ing sake.


- eichiefs9

LOL....I'm just a (frank) ing poopty female dog....actually, I hate these stupid replacements, which is why I use the asterisks...

Why would the Yotes trade a top four with two more years on his contract for a rental???? Would you make that deal as a Rep for the Yotes???



XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

A team who thinks trading for Vanek would put them "over the top" for the Stanley Cup is going to go hard to get him. The only problem is a lot of teams are against the salary cap which will make it hard to deal him. Phoenix has some room so I would think they would be in play....

Here's the point- I just can't imagine that Snow would have traded what he did for that player without having THAT conversation with his boss first. Ryan Smyth didn't sign here because he didn't want to sign here, not because Wang low-balled the offer. They can all pretend that no one talks to anyone else about anyone else's player because it's tampering, blah, blah, blah...but I'm pretty sure that Snow had at least a general idea of what Vanek would be looking for in terms of money before he and Regier conferenced in the league office to announce the deal. I'd also imagine that TAVARES knows damned well what Vanek is expecting as far as money is concerned- not specifically, but in round numbers. Given the circumstances, you don't just make suggestions that you are going to talk to the agent with the intent of signing the player without knowing what it is you're up against.

I know there are a lot of Islanders fans who think the New York Islanders are a conspiracy by Wang and Snow to ruin their lives, but it's really just a case of ten years of total off ice incompetence that necessitated a total gutting and rebuilding of the entire organization from scratch, combined with the fact that, like it or not, they play their home games in an asbestos and mold laden, rat sh*t strewn, out dated high school gym. I do believe they're trying- I really do. I'm not saying they're blameless, mind you- I'm wholly convinced that the nonsensical game plan they sport is an organization wide philosophy that in my estimation amounts to a very loud brain fart, and I hope someone figures that out sooner rather than later. However, I do think they "want" to win, and I do think that if Vanek wants to stay on Long Island, and they want him on the team, they will pay him whatever it is that is necessary to make that happen. In fact, I think the whole point of the trade was that Snow knew that sooner or later, they were going to have to pay big money to someone who was worthy of playing with JT, and they didn't think Moulson was worth that money. I have to believe they think Vanek is.

They were three players that played in the NHL consistently one with success. You yourself have gauged Snow's draft record this same way you can't say Snow had a wonderful draft for hdon't. g three NHL regulars and Smith's were a disaster. Witt was a victim of Gordon's "system" as were many players as we all know. Poti had 3 goals and 20 assists with the Rags and 6 goals and 38 assists with us. 44 points and a +6 on a shatty Islanders team. That's hardly a reclamation project. He'd be our first pairing defenseman if he played now and rightfully so with this collection of garbage we have on our blue line which Garth assembled and did nothing to help.
I feel you're saying it's easy to bash Snow on doing nothing? What I'm saying is it's just as easy if not more to say there was nothing he could do and there was nothing out there. That to me is the usual Islander fan notion that everything is OK in Islander country and Snow is on top of things. To me, he is so obviously not. I think some fans acceptence of failure helps facilitate it.
- Cptmjl

Crappy time to have to respond on my cell
Garth's first full draft was 2008, in which he like Smith had 13 picks. In that draft, 9 of his 13 picks saw NHL time, six had full time gigs. So no, it's not comparable. Not close. His next draft saw, all seven picks see NHL time, which is practically unheard of.
It

As for Potii, he was coming off his worst statistical season as a pro and was pretty much run out of town by Ranger fans who held him responsible for constant breakdowns. So he wasn't exactly heavily courted. It was a buy low moment.

Why would the Yotes trade a top four with two more years on his contract for a rental???? Would you make that deal as a Rep for the Yotes???



XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

xx I don't think there's going to be a market for Vanek because of his salary cap number of $5.7 million. If you look at Cap Geek, the playoff teams who would be looking for a rental to put them over the top don't have the cap space. Last year Pittsburgh traded for Iginla for two prospects and a 1st round pick. This year they couldn't do that trade. For example if Pittsburgh called Snow about Vanek they couldn't offer prospects and picks because they don't have the room. The only way they could make a trade is offer a player or players that equal to Vanek cap number.

xx I don't think there's going to be a market for Vanek because of his salary cap number of $5.7 million. If you look at Cap Geek, the playoff teams who would be looking for a rental to put them over the top don't have the cap space. Last year Pittsburgh traded for Iginla for two prospects and a 1st round pick. This year they couldn't do that trade. For example if Pittsburgh called Snow about Vanek they couldn't offer prospects and picks because they don't have the room. The only way they could make a trade is offer a player or players that equal to Vanek cap number.
- kear20

Your right about teams on capgeek close to the salary cap max, but I do also believe that if a team wants Vanek and might not have cap space will either offer the Isles a bigger package to pay-part of Vanek's salary, just like how Buffalo is paying part of Vanek's salary.
GM's will get creative enough to get a deal done, plus it also depends on what the return is to merit the Isles to help other teams w/their cap issues.

A team who thinks trading for Vanek would put them "over the top" for the Stanley Cup is going to go hard to get him. The only problem is a lot of teams are against the salary cap which will make it hard to deal him. Phoenix has some room so I would think they would be in play....
- kear20

Not a friggen chance they would move him for a rental, and by the time the deadline rolls around he's only going to be owed around two million this season, there isn't any team that can't make that work in trying to win the Stanley cup.

XxNYIxX

Actually, under the new CBA the Isles can retain some of his caphit for this year. I think it was the same loophole that allowed Pittsburgh to get Iginla despite their ceiling figure.

I think if Vanek is offered the 8 year deal for 7 million a season... he takes it.

He now know what kinda team he is on... how can you walk away from JT?

He sees to like Long Island.

Not sure there will be too many teams that can offer him 7 million a year.

Is he worth it... probably not.

But if you trade what Garth did to get him... he must have been willing and have Wang's permission to throw the money at him.

Let's hope for the best.

Yeah it was from the hockey news
- Vukota

Didn't know that, thought someone said it was Staple? It sounds like something Staple would write. Even better maybe we could get something for him? Move him out. Low cap hit and all!