Stars Acquire Niinimaa for Erskine and Pick

[VodkaFish]

FRISCO, Tex. – Dallas Stars General Manager Doug Armstrong announced today that the club has acquired defenseman Janne Niinimaa and a fifth round draft pick in 2007 from the New York Islanders in exchange for defenseman John Erskine and a second round draft pick in 2006.

“Janne is a veteran player who will help upgrade the depth of our defensive corps,” said Armstrong. “He has a great deal of experience at the NHL level and has proven he can play at a high level in this league.”

Niinimaa, 30, has appeared in 41 games with the Islanders this season, registering one goal and nine assists for 10 points with 62 penalty minutes. He recorded his only multi-point outing of the season on Nov. 1 vs. Boston, posting two points (1-1-2).

The 6-1, 220-pound defenseman has appeared in 678 career NHL games, notching 52 goals and 258 assists for 310 points with 673 penalty minutes. Over his nine-year NHL career, Niinimaa has played for Philadelphia (1996-98), Edmonton (1998-03) and the New York Islanders (2003-05). He went to the Stanley Cup Finals with Philadelphia in 1997.

A member of the 1997 NHL All-Rookie Team while with the Flyers, he collected four goals and a career-high 40 assists for 44 points in 1996-97. He was also named to the 2001 NHL All-Star Game while with the Edmonton Oilers, recording 12 goals and 34 assists for a career-high 46 points in 2000-01.

A two-time Olympian with Finland in 1998 and in 2002, Niinimaa registered three assists in each Olympics with Team Finland.

[The Bully]

WTF!!!!!!

[OBA]

I'm not surprised at the trade, just wondering why the Isles wanted John Erskine.

Good to be an Islander fan I reckon.

[PhlyerPhanatic]

This is obviously a salary dump. Why would any team trade a mobile defenceman that can quaterback their powerplay for a player that is quite possibly the slowest skater in the league after Chris Therien? Has to be a salary dump,it's the only thing that makes sence.The Isles don't need help in the toughness department.

[36crazyfists]

Originally Posted by OBA

I'm not surprised at the trade, just wondering why the Isles wanted John Erskine.

Good to be an Islander fan I reckon.

Probably because we got a bunch of ******* on defense and Erskine adds a little muscle back there.

[DevsFan30]

Niinimaa has had a terrible season. He has taken so many bad penalties (31 minors, 62 PIMs) and was a -7 on the season.

As for Erskine, I really hope he plays with the Islanders. What is the plan there?

[Toe2tOe55]

Will Erskine be a starter instead of being scratched 10,000 times....lets hope Godard still plays, he should.....anyone know if Erskine will play tonight?

[devils29]

Watch Erskine play in a Bridgeport jersey

[Toe2tOe55]

Originally Posted by devils29

Watch Erskine play in a Bridgeport jersey

I actually doubt that. I think he will play. IF he and Godard both play which I think Godard might play more than Erskine but it would be great if Erskine played all the time!

[stevecanuck16]

Would NYI dress two heavies? Would be awfully nice, but I sure hope this trade doesn't mean we have to see less of Godard...

[anti_shark]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!


Tell me this is all a horrible joke.

[PhlyerPhanatic]

They traded a D-man for a D-man and recalled a D-man. Something tells me Gervais will be in the line-up and Erskine will be the odd man out. The Isles said the move was made inorder to make an opening for Gervais. Erskine saw some duty on the wing in junior. This could be a possibility.

[macleod50]

I'm thinking Erskine plays over Tomi "don't call me a pylon" Pettinen.

[Isles4life]

This is a solid trade for the isles. Anyone who is questioning how this deal was possible has not seen a single Islander game this year. Janne Niinimaa has probably been the worst defender on the team. He takes a tremendous amount of bad penalties coupled with a propensity to give the puck away all the time. he also has produced little offense, which is supposed to be a strongpoint of his game. This deal frees up salary and upgrades our draft pick as well. The defense with the likes of Sopel and Lukowich and Zhitnik will still play terrible, but having someone tough like Erskine in the lineup once in a while will hopefully motivate them.

[PhlyerPhanatic]

Originally Posted by Isles4life

This is a solid trade for the isles. Anyone who is questioning how this deal was possible has not seen a single Islander game this year. Janne Niinimaa has probably been the worst defender on the team. He takes a tremendous amount of bad penalties coupled with a propensity to give the puck away all the time. he also has produced little offense, which is supposed to be a strongpoint of his game. This deal frees up salary and upgrades our draft pick as well. The defense with the likes of Sopel and Lukowich and Zhitnik will still play terrible, but having someone tough like Erskine in the lineup once in a while will hopefully motivate them.

Being a fan you'd know better than an outsider looking in. I liked Niinimaa when he was a Flyer and later an Oiler. His stock has definitely dropped in the past few seasons though. I watched Erskines entire Jr. A career with the London Knights. Tough kid but his skating is suspect. Rather slow but he's 25 and could work on it through proper conditioning.