They could have traded Moulson for a 1st rounder at the deadline. If they really wanted to improve the team, they could have traded the 1st and 2nd for Vanek while keeping Moulson....this just doesn't seem like that big an improvement, maybe make them win 5 more games....but that's not worth what they gave up.
- ThePresident

Obviously Buffalo had other ideas otherwise the Isles first line would be
Vanek-Tavares-Moulson.

Gotta give to get... That's how the world works.

Why would the Isles trade Moulson for a 1st rd pick at the deadline? Would that help them make the playoffs or in the playoffs? Think here... Snow wants the Isles to make the playoffs... He traded a good player for a better player and the better players team got picks because they gave up the better player... that's how trades work.
- Bags502

Hold onto Moulson till the deadline, based on where they are in the standings they could either have traded him for a 1st rounder if they were out or hung on to him if they were in the playoff race. This trade does not make them a playoff team, that is what makes it even more ridiculous....12 games in and they make a trade like this? What happens if they bite the dust and Buffalo ends up with a top 5 pick? At this point in the season, it could go either way for the Islanders. The risk far outweighs the reward in this trade, not worth it. In other words, the Islanders just gave up 2 first rounders, and a 2nd for Vanek....horrific.

They could have traded Moulson for a 1st rounder at the deadline. If they really wanted to improve the team, they could have traded the 1st and 2nd for Vanek while keeping Moulson....this just doesn't seem like that big an improvement, maybe make them win 5 more games....but that's not worth what they gave up.
- ThePresident

I'm pretty sure there were other teams in line for Vanek and the Islanders paid the price. Moulson is a complementary winger while Vanek can change a game by himself. Price was high, but the Islanders got a solid player here. A few games with Tavares will make him accept a long-term deal.

Hold onto Moulson till the deadline, based on where they are in the standings they could either have traded him for a 1st rounder if they were out or hung on to him if they were in the playoff race. This trade does not make them a playoff team, that is what makes it even more ridiculous....12 games in and they make a trade like this? What happens if they bite the dust and Buffalo ends up with a top 5 pick? At this point in the season, it could go either way for the Islanders. The risk far outweighs the reward in this trade, not worth it. In other words, the Islanders just gave up 2 first rounders, and a 2nd for Vanek....horrific.
- ThePresident

Couldn't they do the same with Vanek? Try to re-sign him and then as the deadline approaches see where they are. Then they could trade Vanek and get back just as much, or if not, close to it.

Terribly written article.. Also Moulson is a good player, however I do not see him as a game changer. He is a barely above average NHL player that is only getting older, Tavares can make anyone look good and Vanek will produce much more with him.
What makes this trade brutal is the picks. I have a hard time seeing Vanek as a consistent point per game player, so where the Isles clearly upgraded from Moulson to Vanek, I think the picks are going to bite them. Even with the addition of Vanek I would have them just squeezing into the playoffs, if they make it at all.
The Isles are 1 injury away from securing a top 5 pick, so is Vanek at 29 years old really worth betting your near future on? I don't think so, but then again Vanek hasn't really played with much talent in Buffalo so it's difficult to predict where his ceiling is.

Somebody check the security cameras. Islanders just got robbed.

Hold onto Moulson till the deadline, based on where they are in the standings they could either have traded him for a 1st rounder if they were out or hung on to him if they were in the playoff race. This trade does not make them a playoff team, that is what makes it even more ridiculous....12 games in and they make a trade like this? What happens if they bite the dust and Buffalo ends up with a top 5 pick? At this point in the season, it could go either way for the Islanders. The risk far outweighs the reward in this trade, not worth it. In other words, the Islanders just gave up 2 first rounders, and a 2nd for Vanek....horrific.
- ThePresident

No one is gonna give a 1st for Moulson unless he has 30goals by the trade deadline and this trade does improve the Islanders right now because Vanek is a better player then Moulson... But time will tell if this is a good/bad trade for both teams cuz like u said before in regards to ur opinions on Bailey and KO... Not every 1st rd pick pays off. Draft is a crapshoot.

Aight later everyone, early day tomorrow...

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.
- ThePresident

Just like the Kessler trade . Two top 5 picks and then you overpay on the contract. Brilliant moves by an organization that hasn't won a cup in, forever

No one is gonna give a 1st for Moulson unless he has 30goals by the trade deadline and this trade does improve the Islanders right now because Vanek is a better player then Moulson... But time will tell if this is a good/bad trade for both teams cuz like u said before in regards to ur opinions on Bailey and KO... Not every 1st rd pick pays off. Draft is a crapshoot.

Aight later everyone, early day tomorrow...
- Bags502

Coming from a fan of another team, I do believe Moulson could have gotten the Islanders a 1st round pick at the trade deadline, and believe me...I really don't like the guy.

Vanek has already stated that his preferred destination is Minnesota. That is where he will sign in the offseason.
- ThePresident

Have you confirmed this with his agent?

Just like the Kessler trade . Two top 5 picks and then you overpay on the contract. Brilliant moves by an organization that hasn't won a cup in, forever
- NYI_since_72

The Kessel trade was for a 21 year old RFA consistent 30 goal scorer with 40-50 goal potential....5 million per is not an overpayment for Kessel. The Maple Leafs have already won that trade. Totally different scenario. Vanek is 30 years old, UFA, wants to play in Minnesota, extremely inconsistent, never a game changer, never the face of a franchise....try again. Kessel is better than Vanek....so I'm not quite sure where you're going with this.

Whether he winds up in Minny or not, that's a hell of a package for a soon to be UFA that has been rumored to have interest in a team that has openly shown interest in him. I certainly won't mind seeing him in a wild sweater next season, but it won't be make or break. Wild have a pretty good team without him.

Coming from a fan of another team, I do believe Moulson could have gotten the Islanders a 1st round pick at the trade deadline, and believe me...I really don't like the guy.
- ThePresident

I've read all your comments and really have to laugh...
Unless you are psychic of some sorts, pipe down and worry about your own team...

1st rd picks are not proven players, its a crap shoot, but to think if Isles could have gotten a 1st for Moulson, probably but a very late 1st if that. What the Isles gain is a much better hockey player in Vanek.
Now watch how the season progresses and see if Moulson scores near 30 without having a player of JT caliber on Buffalo, and if his numbers drop, even Buffalo will not get a 1st.
Plus if Moulson is looking for a contract near $6M a year, I'd rather pay $8M a year for a much better hockey player.
Moulson has a chemistry with JT, but Moulson is 1 dimensional, he play is in front of the net and that's it. Vanek is a better skater by far, laser of a shot, and can actually change the outcome of a game.

This trade has improved the talent on F

The Kessel trade was for a 21 year old RFA consistent 30 goal scorer with 40-50 goal potential....5 million per is not an overpayment for Kessel. The Maple Leafs have already won that trade. Totally different scenario. Vanek is 30 years old, UFA, wants to play in Minnesota, extremely inconsistent, never a game changer, never the face of a franchise....try again. Kessel is better than Vanek....so I'm not quite sure where you're going with this.
- ThePresident

Oh my.

Have you confirmed this with his agent?
- NYI_since_72

he will sign with whatever team offers him the most money for 7 years

Whether he winds up in Minny or not, that's a hell of a package for a soon to be UFA that has been rumored to have interest in a team that has openly shown interest in him. I certainly won't mind seeing him in a wild sweater next season, but it won't be make or break. Wild have a pretty good team without him.
- MnGump

not sure any team can survive having 35 mil tied up long term to 5 players

that leaves what 30 mil for the other 17 slots?

Couldn't they do the same with Vanek? Try to re-sign him and then as the deadline approaches see where they are. Then they could trade Vanek and get back just as much, or if not, close to it.
- Lampy823

Ah. The voice of reason. Finally!

Hold onto Moulson till the deadline, based on where they are in the standings they could either have traded him for a 1st rounder if they were out or hung on to him if they were in the playoff race. This trade does not make them a playoff team, that is what makes it even more ridiculous....12 games in and they make a trade like this? What happens if they bite the dust and Buffalo ends up with a top 5 pick? At this point in the season, it could go either way for the Islanders. The risk far outweighs the reward in this trade, not worth it. In other words, the Islanders just gave up 2 first rounders, and a 2nd for Vanek....horrific.
- ThePresident

The picks mean very little. Isles are stacked with prospects. This is a win for the Isles no matter what kind if ridiculous spin you're putting on it. Vanek is better than Moulson and that's what counts. Picks-shmicks. We are done with them.

To say that the Isles got hosed is a bit silly...

Moulson is not a 30 goal scorer without Tavares, he might not even be a 20 goal scorer without him.

Think about how much less pressure there is on Vanek with Tavares passing to him.

Obviously though, this all hinges on Vanek resigning with the Isles, which I dont see why not.

However, though, this doesnt solve the gaping hole in the defense, if anything this trade made the hole bigger. Vanek does not play defense.

To say that the Isles got hosed is a bit silly...

Moulson is not a 30 goal scorer without Tavares, he might not even be a 20 goal scorer without him.

Think about how much less pressure there is on Vanek with Tavares passing to him.

Obviously though, this all hinges on Vanek resigning with the Isles, which I dont see why not.

However, though, this doesnt solve the gaping hole in the defense, if anything this trade made the hole bigger. Vanek does not play defense.
- aecliptic

He's actually quite reliable in his own zone. Watch a few games. Even led the league in plus minus a few years ago

He's actually quite reliable in his own zone. Watch a few games. Even led the league in plus minus a few years ago
- Lampy823

Cant be worse than Moulson in that category.

Seems like such an odd move for the Isles to make, I guess they must view him as a very elite player. You'd think they would've been able to keep Moulson and deal the first and 2nd for another 6 forward to add to their group. Or maybe a top 4 d man. Vanek seems more like a slight upgrade, but not a piece that will make the team better as a whole.

Your an idiot
- latorrem1

oof.

Just like the Kessler trade . Two top 5 picks and then you overpay on the contract. Brilliant moves by an organization that hasn't won a cup in, forever
- NYI_since_72

Hmm, first of all it's KESSEL, and there was only one top five pick and he's top 10 in scoring right now and has been for the past two seasons so he's paid market value. Looking back now it's a trade that really worked out well for the Leafs, very pricey, but they got a player that is going to contribute to the team for 13 years minimum, barring any unforseen complications. And those are prime years. You really can't ask for any more when acquiring a player regardless of what you had to give up...

They could have traded Moulson for a 1st rounder at the deadline. If they really wanted to improve the team, they could have traded the 1st and 2nd for Vanek while keeping Moulson....this just doesn't seem like that big an improvement, maybe make them win 5 more games....but that's not worth what they gave up.
- ThePresident

10 points in the standings is quite a bit, it can mean making the playoffs, it can mean home ice.... I'll take five more wins

XxNYIxX