What do you mean by a large market though? The Rangers are but the Islanders aren't any bigger a market than Buffalo.
- MapleLeafsFTW

They will when they hit Brooklyn.

Her's my two cents on the trade. I liked Matt Moulson but Thomas Vanek is a blue chip forward. When teams play the Islanders they'll have to worry about not only Tvares but Vanek too. I think Vanek gets signed by the Islanders because he'll be playing in a large market like NYC.
- kear20

Really man...come on. Did you ever worry about Vanek when your team played the Sabres.....give me a break, the guy is not a blue chip forward, not a game changer, not even close.

Well, here's one consolation: If he doesn't quite work out, says he won't sign an extension at the deadline, or if you're not firmly in the playoff race at the deadline, you can always flip Vanek and recoup some of the picks you lost...

so I think it's not a great deal for the Isles, but not as bad as people are making it out to be.

Well, here's one consolation: If he doesn't quite work out, says he won't sign an extension at the deadline, or if you're not firmly in the playoff race at the deadline, you can always flip Vanek and recoup some of the picks you lost...

so I think it's not a great deal for the Isles, but not as bad as people are making it out to be.
- Mr_Clean

Just really not necessary to give up all that they did....Moulson straight up...ok, but the picks as well, ridiculous. The picks straight up with no Moulson....ok, but both is nuts.

Major hose job on Long Island. Moulson would have cost a whole lot less to re-sign in NY than Vanek will be. And Vanek won't score that many more.
- Itsjustarash

moulson isnt worth the paper the contract would have been written on....

....well thats extreme but he wont be what youve seen without JT

Just really not necessary to give up all that they did....Moulson straight up...ok, but the picks as well, ridiculous. The picks straight up with no Moulson....ok, but both is nuts.
- ThePresident

You think Buffalo moves Vanek for Moulson straight up?

Vanek adds speed and pizazz to the forwards and hopefully brings out the home crowd at NVMC. After last night's debacle something is needed.

I would have much more preferred to acquire Ryan Strome in this deal somehow (instead of the 1st rd pick)... maybe he'll be part of a Miller deal. However, by the end of this season, I will be floored if all Islanders fans are not thrilled with Vanek and what he is going to be able to do with a legitimate franchise Center. He'll likely re-sign because of that opportunity, too... Minnesota has nothing at Center that even comes close to JT. Plus, Vanek will have a sense of obligation for what the Isles gave up for him.
- djc1877

i dont know about the last sentence but i agree with everything else.

Just really not necessary to give up all that they did....Moulson straight up...ok, but the picks as well, ridiculous. The picks straight up with no Moulson....ok, but both is nuts.
- ThePresident

Moulson is also a pending free agent... I am not saying I like the deal, but Vanek playing on Tavares' wing has Heatley-in-Ottawa potential.

Because neither Vanek or Heatley are true superstars in their own right, but both have the potential to score a ton of goals if you put them in the right position. Moulson surely benefitted greatly from playing with Tavares and may drop off without him, but Vanek might up his goal scoring significantly playing with some actual talent.

Moulson is also a pending free agent... I am not saying I like the deal, but Vanek playing on Tavares' wing has Heatley-in-Ottawa potential.

Because neither Vanek or Heatley are true superstars in their own right, but both have the potential to score a ton of goals if you put them in the right position. Moulson surely benefitted greatly from playing with Tavares and may drop off without him, but Vanek might up his goal scoring significantly playing with some actual talent.
- Mr_Clean

I'm glad some fans get it instead of treating Vanek like a scrub.

I would personally rather have Moulson than Vanek straight up.
- MapleLeafsFTW

You think Buffalo moves Vanek for Moulson straight up?
- ses111

Yes, I do...he's not that great of a player....a 1st rounder by itself probably should have been enough, especially since the guy is an UFA and has already stated he wants to sign with Minnesota....Vanek isn't that much of an improvement over Moulson, and the picks...well... just idiotic. Its like the Islanders just mortgaged their future for a lateral move that at the end of the day will probably only make them win 5 more games than they would have with just Moulson....wouldn't it have been better to have both on the team so they're actually improving their lineup and depth? Pure stupidity. This doesn't make them a playoff team.

or.............if they don't make the playoffs, he demands a ton of money, there will be tears on the Island. I have a feeling Garth Snow's job depends on how this works out.....maybe. Of course I would think he would have been fired for the DiPietro deal. haha
- Charlie Conway

that contract was signed SO Long ago...you had so much time to read a little bit about the deal...it was wangs idea. fool

Moulson is also a pending free agent... I am not saying I like the deal, but Vanek playing on Tavares' wing has Heatley-in-Ottawa potential.

Because neither Vanek or Heatley are true superstars in their own right, but both have the potential to score a ton of goals if you put them in the right position. Moulson surely benefitted greatly from playing with Tavares and may drop off without him, but Vanek might up his goal scoring significantly playing with some actual talent.
- Mr_Clean

Vanek is no Heatley in his prime, nor will he ever be. He's like a Cammaleri, he's inconsistent, doesn't really make or break a game, and doesn't carry a team on his back. This is a ridiculous trade.

Really man...come on. Did you ever worry about Vanek when your team played the Sabres.....give me a break, the guy is not a blue chip forward, not a game changer, not even close.
- ThePresident

look at vaneks numbers vs isles...i worried

look at vaneks numbers vs isles...i worried
- LetsGoIsles

That's a terrible way of looking at it.

Yes, I do...he's not that great of a player....a 1st rounder by itself probably should have been enough, especially since the guy is an UFA and has already stated he wants to sign with Minnesota....Vanek isn't that much of an improvement over Moulson, and the picks...well... just idiotic. Its like the Islanders just mortgaged their future for a lateral move that at the end of the day will probably only make them win 5 more games than they would have with just Moulson....wouldn't it have been better to have both on the team so they're actually improving their lineup and depth? Pure stupidity. This doesn't make them a playoff team.
- ThePresident

I'm sorry you are out to lunch if you think no picks had to be included. Mortage their future? Do you have any idea how many prospects and how much Cap room the Isles have? Isles will be fine no matter what happens with this trade.

I'm sorry you are out to lunch if you think no picks had to be included. Mortage their future? Do you have any idea how many prospects and Cap room the Isles have?
- ses111

Yeah and how many have panned out? You my friend are out to lunch. Moulson and a 3rd should have been more than enough for a player that is an UFA, already stated a preferred destination, and is not a game changer. The most news this guy ever made was his offer sheet.

Yeah and how many have panned out? You my friend are out to lunch. Moulson and a 3rd should have been more than enough for a player that is an UFA, already stated a preferred destination, and is not a game changer. The most news this guy ever made was his offer sheet.
- ThePresident

Yes on NHL14 that trade happens. How many players like JT did Buffalo have? Bailey and KO seem to be working out well for the Isles. The Isles best prospects like Reinhart and Strome are knocking at the door. Isles will also be able to sign actual FA's with a new building.

Vanek is no Heatley in his prime, nor will he ever be. He's like a Cammaleri, he's inconsistent, doesn't really make or break a game, and doesn't carry a team on his back. This is a ridiculous trade.
- ThePresident

Guy has already scored 40 twice, and was on pace for 40+ last year. Yes, he's inconsistent, no he won't take over games, but neither did Heatley. Heatley was a one-timer in the slot playing with a couple very good playmakers.

Yeah and how many have panned out? You my friend are out to lunch. Moulson and a 3rd should have been more than enough for a player that is an UFA, already stated a preferred destination, and is not a game changer. The most news this guy ever made was his offer sheet.
- ThePresident

To be fair is Moulson not also a UFA I think the move is foolish in that it should of be for a legit D or a goalie. I am almost certain for what they gave up they could of got Neuvirth from the Caps hell Moulson straight up likely does it.

Yes on NHL14 that trade happens. How many players like JT did Buffalo have? Bailey and KO seem to be working out well for the Isles. The Isles best prospects like Reinhart and Strome are knocking at the door. Isles will also be able to sign actual FA's with a new building.
- ses111

No, it happens in real life, easily. Garth Snow just got robbed. Bailey and KO are busts, as for the other guys, we'll see. A new building isn't going to turn the Islanders into every players preferred destination.

Guy has already scored 40 twice, and was on pace for 40+ last year. Yes, he's inconsistent, no he won't take over games, but neither did Heatley. Heatley was a one-timer in the slot playing with a couple very good playmakers.
- Mr_Clean

Heatley was a franchise player before his car accident. Vanek is Cammaleri, not that good. Brad Boyes can score 40 goals too....

To be fair is Moulson not also a UFA I think the move is foolish in that it should of be for a legit D or a goalie. I am almost certain for what they gave up they could of got Neuvirth from the Caps hell Moulson straight up likely does it.
- blizzzard

Moulson could have been shopped for a 1st rounder if their plan was to not resign him at the end of the year. Instead the Islanders will lose out on Vanek, Moulson, and a 1st rounder along with a 2nd. Empty handed with nothing to show for, just like the Smith trade. Excellent.