Show Him the Money

David M Singer
Jun 28, 2001

After waiting season after season for some real backing from his owner(s), Islanders GM Mike Milbury has finally been given the green light to spend some money. In doing so, Milbury made three trades over draft weekend that significantly increases the Islanders payroll, but more importantly makes the Islanders look like contenders and hushes some of the "Mad Mike" critics.

Friday:
Mathieu Biron and a 2002 2nd round pick for Adrian Aucoin and Alexander Kharitonov
Biron, a 21-year old prospect (and brother to the Sabres goaltender) looked decent defensively for the Islanders in 14 games last season with 1 assist and a plus-2 rating. That said, Aucoin's offensive abilities were the main reason for this trade. Only three seasons ago Aucoin netted 23 goals. While he may not top 20 this year, with a possible partner in Roman Hamrlik, the Islanders power play backing looks formidable. The pick, a 2nd rounder cannot be looked at much now since no one knows what place the Islanders will draft, or if the pick even will stay with the Lightning. Kharitonov, a 25-year old had 22 points in 66 games for Tampa Bay last year. His 5 foot 6 stature may make him look like Theo Fleury out there, but he's definitely not expected to put up Fleury-like numbers. Aucoin was the main-dish in this trade and if he puts up 10-plus goals and a good plus/minus, the Islanders will certainly look like the winners in this one.

Saturday:
Zdeno Chara, Bill Muckalt and a 2001 1st round pick for Alexei Yashin
40 goals. Yashin scored 40 goals last year. He had 44 in 98-99 also. After that, it's doubtful Milbury cared about much else. Can you blame him? The Islanders, while sometimes noted for their defense and their youth, were never mentioned in the same breathe as "offense". Yashin brings an immediate threat to any line he plays with. With a possible Brad Isbister on wing, Yashin will have a gritty power forward to help him on the first line. Over the last two seasons Isbister has had 40 goals in 115 games. With the possibility of Mariusz Czerkawski playing with Yashin and Isbister, the Islanders not only have a genuine NHL first-line, they may have one of the better ones.

While Chara led the league in hits last year, the Islanders have Aucoin, Hamrlik, Kenny Jonsson, Eric Cairns and Branislav Mezei to cover up for his loss. The 6'4" 221-pound Mezei, who's not afraid to use his body will likely take over for Chara and be possibly paired up with Cairns. While losing 5 inches, this defensive pair will still be nasty to play against.

Bill Muckalt may have a reputation as a great guy, but he was often injured, or even playing injured for the Islanders and only had 11 goals last season (in 60 games). I am sure he wasn't a throw-in, but he may not have been hard to give up since he did not contribute too much on the ice during his stay on the Island.

The pick turned into Jason Spezza, which came as no surprise. Also no surprise was the Canadian media. Prior to the draft, Spezza's value seemed to be slipping. People questioned his desire and said he was outplayed in his playoffs. Immediately after the Yashin trade and Ottawa being the team to select Spezza, his value seemed to increase tri-fold, and Milbury was bashed by many reporting from Vancouver to Nova Scotia. Funny how opinions changed so quickly as team colors did. No draft choice is a sure thing. That's an unfortunate circumstance the Islanders have learned quite a few times over the last 10 years. But, eventually prospects must become NHL players. The Islanders have many, many prospects. They needed more NHL players. One less prospect along with two players that can be close to replaced for one established superstar. Whether or not Spezza turns into the next Eric Lindros or Mario Lemieux, this trade will benefit the Islanders immediately, as in this season. Islanders fans should all be happy with something to look for this season. Locally, the trade has seen positive reaction from almost everyone.

Sunday:
Tim Connolly and Taylor Pyatt for Michael Peca
Here is where Mad Mike left room for criticism. Most in the hockey world have been praising Connolly for quite some time. Pyatt, a power forward, has potential to also become one of the better players in the league, although few are using the word "elite" as they are with Connolly. Again, Milbury traded away youth for an immediate impact. An impact that few others can create like Mike Peca.

Connolly, 20, had 10 goals and 41 points last year, his second full season in the NHL. It was a slight step up from his 14 goals and 34 points in his rookie season. His moves are skillful and he's fun to watch, but he certainly has had a problem putting the puck in the net so far in his career. While he appears to be good, he is still labeled with the big "P". Potential is great, but a better "P" word is "proven", something Michael Peca is.

Once again, Milbury took some heat from the media. There was little from Buffalo or New York in comparison to the rest of the continent. While numbers are used to usually describe a player's performance, it's useless when dealing with a player like Peca. Peca's intensity cannot be matched. He hits like a man Chara's size and he leads with passion. He is the Sabres former captain and also was the captain of Canada's World Championship team. The "C" might as well be sewed into his jersey already. When asked if being the Islanders next captain, Peca was quoted on the Islanders website as saying, "No, it's not. It wouldn't change who I'd be or the way I play. I still expect myself to do certain things and carry the same responsibilities."

Much of the media seems to be throwing question marks at Milbury for last weekend. A lot of the press carries a negative tone, but seems to recognize the fact that these moves seem to be good for the team. Over the past few seasons low payrolls and owners who only saw dollars and cents handcuffed the Isles GM. With Charles Wang and Sanjay Kumar as the Islanders owners a feeling of commitment to winning is starting to come back to the Island, something that has been missing for quite some time. No one is making Stanley Cup predictions, but the playoffs seem closer now then they have in years.

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