Islanders Trade Zhitnik to Flyers for Meyer

[JPanas2]

The New York Islanders have acquired defenseman Fred Meyer and a conditional third round draft pick from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for defenseman Alexei Zhitnik. In 25 games this season, Meyer has recorded two goals and three assists for five points along with 14 penalty minutes. Last season the defenseman was 6-21-27 and plus-10 in just 57 games. Meyer, who will turn 26 on Jan. 4, is currently out of the lineup with a back injury.

The 5-10, 192-pound Meyer signed with Philadelphia as an undrafted player out of Boston University in May of 2003. In four years at Boston, Meyer recorded 17 goals and 55 assists for 72 points in 126 games.

Meyer, a native of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, has played in 83 games over the course of three seasons in the NHL. In his career, he has recorded eight goals and 24 assists for 32 points with 47 penalty minutes and has a +6 plus/minus rating.

In 30 games with the Islanders this season, Zhitnik has recorded two goals and nine assists for eleven points with 40 penalty minutes. Zhitnik was in his second season with the Islanders after signing as a free agent in August of 2005.

[JPanas2]

anybody know how this guy meyer is? philly fans maybe?

[nyisles15]

I never liked Zhitnik from the get go but I have no idea who this Meyer guy is as well. I am sure it must free up space under the cap possible for another future deal. I guess Crosby did him in last night by basically embarassing him behind the net.

[FlyersEnforcer]

freddy myer is a decent player. a young guy who could be pretty good in hte years to come. he is pretty physical for a small guy. i beleive he dropped the gloves a couple times last year, known this year. he is a decent defense as well, pretty fast guy, seems to have trouble with odd man rushes(as msot do) also has some trouble's clearing people in front of the net. but i think he is a pretty good dman, thats y im not to sure if i like the trade thoo zhitnik is a pretty good players, seems to be gettin a lil to old

[Creevjam]

Not bad, I liked Meyer but we need help. Now its Hatcher, Calder, Nedved, and Rathje. I hope anyway

[furiousBall]

This trade makes no sense for the Flyers from my point of view. Zhitnik is 34, Meyers is 25. This is a move you make at the trade deadline to help you in the playoffs, not rebuild. The only good thing is that (from the Flyers perspective) is that Meyers has a bulging disk in his back and has already had surgery on his back before.

[mr_athlete2002]

meyer is a smaller d-man who can skate well, handle the puck, not known for physical play, but not shy when it comes to making contact either. he can be a little feisty and be on the power-play. with the phantoms he played a little forward as well. may have a back issue that could be a concern at some point.

im surprised philly made this trade since they need a miracle to get into the playoffs. to take on zhitniks contract? and he has 2 more yrs left? at his age? then again, philly's defense has been awful and these kids need help. so he is probably in philly to help them be respectable.

hope rathje will retire so they can take his money off the cap for good.

[Isles4life]

Well, Zhitnik has a wonderful propensity for taking terrible penalties, and he wasn't really producing for us, so I'm not too sad to see him and his salary go. Meyer's a decent young defenseman, but I don't see him having the potential to be a legit top four blueliner. So as much as Zhitnik underachieved, I don't see this improving the Islanders except for the cap space.

[Number 29]

This sounds like the kind of trade Clarke used to make. Trading a younger player for an older veteran past his prime. It won't make a bit of difference as far as this season goes.

Whatever happened to that rumored Calder for Vandermeer swap?

[mckendo83]

Originally Posted by furiousBall

This trade makes no sense for the Flyers from my point of view. Zhitnik is 34, Meyers is 25. This is a move you make at the trade deadline to help you in the playoffs, not rebuild. The only good thing is that (from the Flyers perspective) is that Meyers has a bulging disk in his back and has already had surgery on his back before.

I agree, we were looking good on cap space with rathje being put on long term IR, i think that was like 3 million we got and dumping nedved down to the phantoms again we arent held for his salary against the cap either...so we trade a 25 year old makin 450,000 i believe for a 34 year old making 3.5 MILLION...doesnt make sense to me.

[mr_athlete2002]

wait.... it is possible that philly will turn around and trade zhitnik.

they traded for mike comrie a couple yrs ago. he played only a few games then moved him to phoenix(ben eager)

think the ducks or sharks want zhitnik? they have goalies to trade. islanders have dipietro. so.....move zhitnik to philly, clears cap space so new york is happy. philly then can move him for a goalie since nittymaki is the only legit goalie they have. no prospects, and esche...no thanks. so they are happy. and a contending team(sharks or ducks) get a veteran d-man to strengthen their blue line.

just a thought.

[flyersrule]

this trade sucks

[headhunter55]

Originally Posted by mr_athlete2002

wait.... it is possible that philly will turn around and trade zhitnik.

they traded for mike comrie a couple yrs ago. he played only a few games then moved him to phoenix(ben eager)

think the ducks or sharks want zhitnik? they have goalies to trade. islanders have dipietro. so.....move zhitnik to philly, clears cap space so new york is happy. philly then can move him for a goalie since nittymaki is the only legit goalie they have. no prospects, and esche...no thanks. so they are happy. and a contending team(sharks or ducks) get a veteran d-man to strengthen their blue line.

just a thought.

That HAS to be the case. The Flyers are playing all of their young talent. There is no other way this trade fits this year. The only other thing I could think of is that Zhit is supposed to help Piitkanen along. But usually an old superstar like Bourque would get that job, I dont think Zhit fits that mold either. I hope this isnt because the Vandy deal fell through.

[Number 29]

I'd be very surprised if Zhitnik was dealt elsewhere. The Flyers probably figured he was the best available option to shore up their defense. This is the kind of trade they've been making for the past few years now and EXACTLY why they ended up in the toilet this season. There doesn't seem to be any game plan within the Flyer's braintrust. Pick up a player here and there, get rid of someone who might have some poptential. Juggling pieces together and hoping something sticks.

As I said, there's no plan or reasoning behind most of their trades lately.

[danski]

This is a stupid trade, unless of course they move Zhitnik for someone. But even then, the year is shot, so why deal youth ? I liked Meyer, I really wish they would've dealt Jones instead. I can't stand him, which means they'll keep him forever like they did Therien.