Only a few minutes after the ANA post game had concluded after the Isles lost to the Calgary Flames, the Islanders traded Peter Regin and P.M. Bouchard to the Blackhawks for a fourth round pick.
Certainly, it had nothing to do with their play tonight since… they didn’t play tonight.
Regin has seven points in 44 games and is a -10. Bouchard has been playing for Bridgeport since being placed on waivers. In 20 games, he has 17 points, so he has done better at the AHL level than the NHL level. But the trade makes the off season of 2013 look pretty useless. Look for fan favorites from Bridgeport to be playing in Uniondale soon.
The Isles had tonight’s game tied up with goals by Hickey and deHaan (his second NHL goal), but it wasn’t enough to seal the deal. As Butch Goring mentioned they just didn’t come out on all cylinders. “Where has all the offense gone from their game.… he tweeted.
With the loss, the lack of points and only 23 games remaining, the thought of playoffs needs to be put back in the closet and the push to find the best trades begins.
NY Post reporter Brett Cyrgalis announced that Andrew MacDonald turned down a 4 year, $16 million offer from the Isles. Well, I was working so I missed that one. Although I’m just pretty surprised that the Isles offered him a contract at all. Garth has his work cut out for himself as the Olympic trade deadline is tomorrow at 3 pm. He probably won’t be getting much sleep tonight.
As far as tonight’s loss goes. Cyrgalis also had the best quote from John Tavares:
Brett Cyrgalis …@BrettCyrgalis 1h Tavares: "Basically the story of our year – we find ways to lose games more than we find ways to win them." #Isles
It’s true. For some reason, this team has found ways to beat themselves game after game. This is not the team that will win a Stanley Cup. It’s also not the team that will see a game in the playoffs.
It’s just heartbreaking. Butch made a plea to Garth at 10:20 pm. He said he hopes Snow makes all his trade before the Olympics so the team can focus on hockey and finish the season on a positive note. We can only hope.