Islanders Add Sean Hill

[drob4481]

The New York Islanders bolstered their blue line today by agreeing to terms with veteran defenseman Sean Hill on a one-year contract. The 36-year old Hill has played 760 regular season games over a 12-year NHL career, scoring 59 goals and adding 205 assists for 264 points. He was a member of the Carolina Hurricanes team that went to the Stanley Cup Final in 2002 and, as a rookie, contributed to the Montreal Canadiens’ Stanley Cup victory in 1993.

"I spoke with Sean a lot over the last two weeks because we felt he would be an excellent addition to our blue line," said Islanders general manager Garth Snow. "We’re very happy that Sean is coming to Long Island. He has been a very good defenseman in our league for a long time, a consistent player in all zones, a strong competitor and a leader".

The Islanders’ defense now includes veterans Hill, Alexei Zhitnik, Brendan Witt, Radek Martinek, Tom Poti, Joel Bouchard and second-year defenseman Chris Campoli, coming off an impressive rookie season in the NHL. The Islanders’ top prospect on defense is Bruno Gervais, who was 16-25-41 in 56 games last season with Bridgeport (AHL) and 3-4-7 in 27 games with the Islanders.

Last year, as a member of the Florida Panthers, the 6-0, 205-pound Hill was 2-18-20 in 78 games. In 2003-04, while with Carolina, he 13-26-39 in 80 games. His best offensive season was with Carolina in 1999-2000, when he had 13 goals and 31 assists for 44 points in just 62 games. Originally Montreal’s ninth pick in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft, Hill was a member of the 1992 United States Olympic team.

[BGDDYKWL]

I was wondering where he'd end up. This is a very good signing. I recall seeing a while back that he was willing to play for the league minimum, so I'd assume the contract isn't for much more than half a mil. He's a physical dman who's tough to play against, and he's had 20 and 39 points the past two seasons. Bringing him in for anywhere near the league minimum is a steal IMO.

[dp]

Good signing, it will be too funny if Snow actually turns out to be a good GM.

[Skorka85]

He just might, although Sean Hill is kind of a no brainer, solid veteran D-man for a cheap price. Even I would have known to sign him.

[Isles4life]

In what I've seen it looks like he's still been effective despite his age in recent years. Hopefully this isn't the year that catches up with him. Of course, we still need to sign our goaltender, so this better be for not much money.

[Godard49]

This is gonna be one team i would not want to play against.

[Dubielewicz34]

does this mean that bouchard will just be the depth guy or will he split time with someone?

[Blouin]

Good solid player, nice signing

[IhateLindros]

Good solid D man, but there are way too many defenseman and no place to put them all!

[johano90]

IMO he was a dissapointment last season. Many bad penalties, and he wasnt a force on the point people thought he was gonna be.

[Isles4life]

With Grebeshkov being an idiot and going to Russia for the season, there isn't as big of a logjam as it seems on defense. It just means Gervais will play in the minors as the unquestioned defensive anchor at Bridgeport. Bouchard will probably just be the number 7 because I find it really hard to believe they'll sit Campoli or Martinek the way he played down the stretch last year. Zhitnik and Witt are obviously regulars. Maybe Poti will sit out if he plays like he did with the Rangers.

[BGDDYKWL]

1 year, $600K

[nyisles15]

Originally Posted by Dubielewicz34

does this mean that bouchard will just be the depth guy or will he split time with someone?

He should split time, the guy is way too soft.

[Isles4life]

Originally Posted by BGDDYKWL

1 year, $600K

Not a bad price I think.

[LAWMAN]

Bouchard, Hill, Poti, Berry...What the F**K! All these D men that are borderline at best...yet they passed on Erskine. I don't get it. It should be Zhitnik, Witt, Martinek, Camploi, Erskine, and one of the dopes above or possibly Gervais. This would have been much more impressive and given them a little more bite!