What's Next for Isles?

The positive point of view is that the Islanders took 3 of 4 points from two tough teams. The negative point of view is that the Isles have to put in 110% effort to achieve that outcome. Just as they have gotten 3/4 points they could easily lose four out of the next five games, because, frankly, they are missing a few key pieces. Not to beat a dead horse, but this team is going nowhere without a solid second line center (some might say a solid first line center too!). They may hang around the eighth spot for awhile, but will eventually start to fade away. I've been a proponent of doing a deal now rather than Feb 27th and the rumor mill is starting to heat up.

Conroy going to the Flames today may open the floodgates for some substantive deals before the deadline. Islanders rumors include Forsberg to the Isles for a first rounder, Grebs, and Okposo. I will instantly start writing Rangers blogs if this goes down. Forsberg is like a BMW on the outside held together with rubber bands on the inside. You may go a few feet with no problem before it all comes apart.

Other rumors have Bates going to Carolina for Tanabe - (I'm not sure whom this helps but Bates has been better of late and Laviolette loves him from his days on LI) and Blake going to the Canes for Ladd or Hutchinson (No thanks on this too).

Rumor out of Buffalo has Ales Kotalik coming to LI for Sean Hill. I would do this deal if the Islanders were fading and no longer in the hunt for a playoff spot. Hill has played great but in terms of moves to better the club for the future, it makes sense.

Finally, the annual Fred Modin to the Islanders for who knows what is floating around as well. Modin is having a so-so year with much less points than in the TB days.

See ya later.