Islanders Sign Veteran Defenseman Tom Poti

[Thrillhouse]

Less than a week after adding physical defensive defenseman Brendan Witt to the lineup, the Islanders have signed veteran puck-moving defenseman Tom Poti, who finished plus-16 as a member of the New York Rangers last season. The Islanders and Poti have agreed to terms on a one-year contract.

Last season with the Rangers, the 6-3, 210-pound Poti played 73 games and registered three goals and 20 assists for 23 points. Poti ranked first on the Rangers with 123 blocked shots and first among all team defensemen with 122 shots on goal. In addition, the 29-year old Poti tied for second on the Rangers with 49 takeaways and ranked sixth on the team with a plus-16 rating. On the power play, he had two goals and 12 assists.

"Tom Poti is a perfect fit for us," said Islanders Vice President and general manager Neil Smith. "I spoke with him several times over the last week and I was really impressed by Tom's desire to become an Islander. He knew we had a need for a skilled defenseman and he really wanted to be a part of our team. (Islanders scout) Ken Morrow felt strongly that, at age 29, Tom was just entering his prime after some good years with the Oilers and Rangers. We are very excited that we were able to agree on a one-year deal and hope Tom will be part of our defense for years to come."

The acquisition of Poti, expected to see a lot of time quarterbacking the Islanders' power play, brings more skill and experience to a blueline that also features Witt, Alexei Zhitnik, second-year player Chris Campoli, veterans Radek Martinek and Joel Bouchard and several impressive prospects. In 516 career games with Edmonton and the Rangers, Poti has 52 goals and 156 assists for 208 points, along with 386 penalty minutes and a plus-13 rating.

"From the beginning of free agency, I told my agent that I wanted to see if something could be worked out with the Islanders," said Poti, a member of Team USA at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, where the Americans won the silver medal. "The opportunity to be one of the veterans on such a talented young team is something I wanted, as was the chance to play for a great coach like Ted Nolan. When Matt Barnaby and I were together on the Rangers, he talked a lot about how Ted found a way to get the most out of his players. I'm very happy to be coming to Long Island."

Poti was originally selected by Edmonton in the third round of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. After four seasons in Edmonton -- including an All-Rookie team selection in 1998-99 -- he was traded on March 19, 2002 along with Rem Murray to the Rangers for now-Islander Michael York and a fourth round draft pick. He had his best NHL season in his first season in New York. In 2002-03, Poti established career highs with 37 assists and a team-leading 48 points. That season he was the seventh-leading scorer among NHL defensemen.

The native of Worcester, Mass. also contributes a significant amount of his personal time to important causes. He serves as a national spokesperson for the Food Allergy & Anaphilaxis Network and is the co-host of the annual Travis Roy Foundation Invitational Golf Tournament, helping to raise funds to find a cure for spinal cord injuries.

[Thrillhouse]

Hahahahaha

This thread will be entertaining.

[bengino]

depending on the amount, it could be an okay signing... but so far this is a bad move by Smith.

[BM24]

Originally Posted by Thrillhouse

Hahahahaha

This thread will be entertaining.

Was thinking the exact same thing.

[steg1989]

Good move by the Isles, Poti is one of the last quality defensemen out there.

[KiddYidd]

Originally Posted by steg1989

Good move by the Isles, Poti is one of the last quality defensemen out there.

Should I start it off with this doozy of a post?

[BM24]

Originally Posted by Hebrew Hammer

Should I start it off with this doozy of a post?

Nah, work off this one:

I personally think this is a great signing because Tomi Poti always plays with such heart and grit. He shows he wants to be in the NHL each and every shift, he is going to make the Islanders a much more passionate team!

[KiddYidd]

Originally Posted by BM24

Nah, work off this one:

I personally think this is a great signing because Tomi Poti always plays with such heart and grit. He shows he wants to be in the NHL each and every shift, he is going to make the Islanders a much more passionate team!

LOL! I was looking to see if someone actually posted this.

The Islander fans are going to love this guy!

[canuck2]

Didnt Neil Smith get this guy for the Rangers? What a maggot for a hockey player. Is he the antithesis to the word braveheart?

[Jensen]

I don't think Poti is that good a defenseman. I'm glad my team didn't sign him.

[TNG]

Just how much is he getting? It's been a good year for dmen to sign contracts... huge inflation on their prices. 'The nerd' ain't worth much anyway.

[Blouin]

And the Rangers have signed who so far?
We will be back to 45 yr olds playing for us again. Might as well bring back Messier and Graves

[flyersrule]

I know its too early to tell, but this has the potential to be the 2nd worst signing behind Yashin. And it still feelis like mad mike is g.m. with a move like this. Have fun booing him islander fans.

[MattBurger]

Originally Posted by flyersrule

I know its too early to tell, but this has the potential to be the 2nd worst signing behind Yashin.

No way. This is only a one-year contract. Although, Poti does suck. I'm happy that the B's never signed him.

[itsJ.Millertime]

Who needs Erskine when you can have Tom Poti?
Great signing Islanders, this should really help that attendance problem you got.