3:03 pm: I love it when Butch Goring sticks his two hockey cents into a conversation. So, he's wondering if perhaps Evgeni Nabokov could be on the move since he is not playing tonight and has not played. Could someone be interested in a veteran back-up for a run?
He's also wondering why the Kings don't grab Moulson. "No one better around the net and the Kings play a lot in t he O zone." Sort of the same reason I wanted to keep the guy.
2:26 pm: According to Josh Rimer, the Ducks are making room for Thomas Vanek on their roster. That's gonna be a long way from Minnesota, ain't it?
12:26 pm: Well, Art Staple may be trying to cause a Twitstorm by reporting that Thomas Vanek is NOT on the ice for the Isles morning skate in Winnepeg. He followed that by saying That is his usual routine. He is still there. Thanks Art.
7 am: Happy Fat Tuesday.. if that means anything to you. As Hockey fans, all it should mean to you is that tomorrow is the trade deadline and we have 24 hours to wonder, gossip and wring our hands.
As Islander fans we should simply go about our business and get what little news there will be through social media. We don't need to sit in front of the TV or computer for the entire day watching Canada's coverage of what they believe should be a national holiday.
The Isles will not make any stellar aquisitions tomorrow. There is no point. No, they'll try to get something for players they can't or don't want to keep around for next season (even in Bridgeport). The problem is -- everyone knows they are a little desperate.
Maybe Thomas Vanek isn't important enough right now to another club to fork over a first round pick. Maybe Andrew MacDonald's 20-plus-minutes a night isn't key to another club's game plan. Maybe the GMs looking to buy at the deadline know how desperate the Isles are to get something rather than nothing for these players.
Garth Snow paid a very high price for Thomas Vanek, he will get a fraction of it back. Certainly that's just my opinion, but it's also my fear. The Islanders may be left Wednesday holding the bag and it will be empty.
I assume had there been any real SERIOUS interest in either Vanek or MacDonald, they would not be in Winnepeg today. And so they will play tonight for the Isles with extra underwear packed in their bags 'just in case.'
For the real human side of this business, the real crappy side of hockey, please read Brian Compton's account on NHL.com of his conversations with both men during their practice at Iceworks on Monday. Take the time. It is worth it.
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=707409
I didn't realize that Andrew MacDonald has had only one professional coach in his career: Jack Capuano. AMac has been a fixture on this team and the other half of that "top D pair" that made issue-ridden James Wisniewski expendable. (it's been so long, I forgot how to spell his name.) Remember those days? Two kids from Bridgeport hailed as the Islanders' newest top defense pair. He's been there ever since, with the exception of time spent rehabing from injuries. Travis Hamonic's sidekick. Today he wonders where he'll be on Thursday.
Capuano said he is proud of MacDonald for the player he has become since his days in Bridgeport. After seven years in the organization, I can't imagine this doesn't weigh heavy on everyone's minds and hearts.
The Moulson trade was a shock. No one had time to think about it. The pending and possible trade of Andrew MacDonald has been festering like a cold sore.
This is really the crappy part of the business. Prepare to be disappointed. It's better that way.