[Lefty Noob]

According to the Associated Press, "Defenseman Alexei Zhitnik was traded by the New York Islanders to the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday for defenseman Freddy Meyer and a conditional third-round draft pick." What do you guys think about this transaction?

[MJHMarc]

I liked Zhitnik.

[ThePundit]

Actually, I don't know much about Freddie Meyer. But I was no great fan of Zhitnick. He committed too many penalties for my liking and was offensively very challenged.

[MJHMarc]

Most defensive players are...

[ThePundit]

Ture Mark but in reading more about it - the penalties definitely had something to do with it. Plus the Islanders lacked speed on defense so they saved money, got younger and got faster.

Was it just a coincidence that Islanders general manager Garth Snow traded defenseman Alexei Zhitnik the day after he took four penalties in a 7-4 loss at Pittsburgh, or was it meant to send a message?

"That's tough to lose a guy like Zhitnik, who is a classy individual. But you get a younger player back with a little more mobility, and it was a chance to call up [Chris] Campoli.

Intentional or not, Zhitnik deal sent message - Newsday.com

[MJHMarc]

Yes, awesome deal then.

Chris Campoli (who I call Canoli) is my favorite player in the NHL.

[ThePundit]

We'll see. The Islanders play the Rangers tonight at MSG. I'm going into the City so I have to ride the train with all the liquored up Ranger fans. Islander fans are generally more civil.