[ThePundit]

From Greg Logan's blog:

Now that Hunter’s situation is settled, Snow has two other major questions to resolve before the Islanders report for training camp the second week of September. The GM needs to add one more veteran defenseman and a center with some offensive punch.

It would be easiest for Snow to go the free-agent route on defense by choosing among the likes of Danny Markov, Andy Sutton or Ossi Vaananen. But he’s determined not to overpay in money or length of contract for a player who might be solid but not necessarily a fit worth a major commitment.

More complicated would be the trade route, but that also might be the best way for Snow to get a player with long-term value and possibly fill other needs in the process.

As the NHL world knows, Toronto is anxious to dump defenseman Bryan McCabe and the remaining four years of his contract worth $21.6 million. McCabe has a no-trade clause, but the ex-Islander likely wouldn’t have a problem waiving it to return to a team that wants his talents.

Because the Isles would be doing Toronto a favor by taking on a major salary, the Leafs would have to add ingredients to make it worthwhile. Snow wants to continue to replenish the farm system, and an extra No. 1 pick would help. Leafs center Matt Stajan, 23, reportedly is available and could be a pot sweetener in any deal, depending on which Islanders are sent to Toronto...............................


Adding firepower to a team that parted with Alexei Yashin and lost scorers Jason Blake, Ryan Smyth and Viktor Kozlov to free agency remains problematic. The Los Angeles Kings aren’t going to walk away from restricted free agent Mike Cammalleri, who averaged 30 goals the past two seasons, no matter what amount he is awarded in arbitration. But there still are passable options among the leftover UFAs.

However, former Islander Michael Peca isn’t likely to return because injuries have diminished his ability to pile up points. The most intriguing option might be 32-year-old Jason Allison, who sat out last season while sorting out problems associated with his divorce. Rust could be an issue for a center who has played only one of the past four seasons thanks to injuries, personal problems and the lockout, but Allison had 60 points for the Maple Leafs in 2005-06 and might provide the playmaking boost the Islanders need.

Carolina center Josef Vasicek, who showed a glimpse of his potential with 45 points in 2003-04, is a secondary option among the remaining free agents.

For the entire blog:

On the Islanders Beat


I would love to have McCabe back. He still has plenty of good hockey left in him. So Blue, what to you think about all this?