[ThePundit]

In a deal completed just before the NHL's holiday trade moratorium began at midnight on Tuesday and announced Wednesday morning, Snow sent center Mike York and his $2.85-million salary to the Flyers in exchange for versatile forward Randy .Robitaille and his $600,000 deal plus a fifth-round draft pick in 2008.

Snow previously said he intends to be a "buyer" at the trade deadline, and he reaffirmed that position in an interview Wednesday.

Even if the Islanders hadn't saved so much money against the salary cap, there's a feeling throughout the organization that the players who have been acquired are better than the ones they replaced on their own merits.

"York was a very classy guy who had some offensive side to him, but unfortunately, it didn't quite happen the way he wanted it to," Nolan said after practice. "We tried to get him going. It's going to be tough to lose him, but we have a little bit more speed coming in."

Although York and Zhitnik are considered premium players and will find important roles with the rebuilding Flyers, the decision to trade them had the feel of clearing out dead wood in the sense they weren't measuring up to the tempo Nolan wants to play.

Isles trade York for Robitaille, pick - Newsday.com

I thought York was pretty good but I guess the numbers say otherwise. But I totally trust Nolan and Snow at this point. As opposed to Milbury who everytime he made a trade, I cringed. Plus, maybe they'll bring in a big player by the deadline.

[blueandwhite]

I think York used to be better, but now is disappointing. Doesn't hurt to shake em up.
Glad to see your cringing days are - at least temporarily - over.

[ThePundit]

Robitaille seems happy - that's nice to hear for a change

I realized I'm coming to an Islanders team that is playing extremely well," Robitaille said. "Things are a lot more positive here. It's night and day from Philly. Guys here are excited to come to the rink. It's nice to come to a team where you look forward to going out to play.

"Some of the guys are still here from the last time I was here. It helps me that way."

Coach Ted Nolan simply told Robitaille to play hockey and have fun, and he placed him at left wing on the second line with Viktor Kozlov at center and Miroslav Satan at right wing. Although Kozlov will skate in the middle of the ice, Robitaille is a faceoff specialist who will take the draws.

Robitaille surprised but happy - Newsday.com

[ThePundit]

THE YORK TRADE
Greg Logan of Newsday puts the York trade into great perspective.

Back when I last covered the Rangers in 2000-01, Mike York was a hustling young kid with a bright future. He tried to maintain that hustle with the Islanders this season, but he wasn’t keeping up with the play well enough to make things happen on a consistent basis. Coach Ted Nolan’s disappointment was obvious after York failed to click with Miro Satan and Trent Hunter, both of whom have struggled offensively.

Now, with two bold strokes, Snow has made the Islanders faster and cleared $5 million of cap space.

http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/ho...ork_trade.html