Uniondale, NY -- In a bit of a stunning move, the New York Islanders traded young netminder Ilja Bryzgalov in a package to obtain star netminder Tomas Vokoun. Vokoun, the native of Karlovy Vary, Czechoslovakia, Vokoun is currently the 8th winningest goalie in the OTHL. The Islanders certainly hope he can bring that winning attitude to a team that went through a successful 2006 campaign with many question marks in net.
Along with Bryzgalov, the Islanders sent 2nd pairing dman Hall Gill and three draft picks to the Nashville Predators. Accompanying Vokoun to Long Island is prospect defenceman Chad Denny, a player who has just completed a very successful season with Lewiston of the QMJHL. Bryzgalov, a native of Russia, had been a player who had been touted as a savoir of sorts in net for the Islanders. However, after two years of limitless expectations, he was still fighting for a spot on the pro squad. "We liked Ilja, we really did", said coach Mike Keenan. "However, we just couldn't wait forever for him to develop. With the way the team has grown and developped into a strong playoff contender, we felt that to take the next step we had to get stronger in the back. Tomas will immediately become our #1 netminder, and we hope he can offer some stability in our own end."
As for Manny Legace, he seems to be the odd one out. While not going public about his demotion to backup netminder, many in the organization believe he is upset. It is rumoured that the Islanders are trying to deal the netminder to obtain either a top 6 forward or a top pairing defenceman.
Next up for the Islanders is the 2007 OTHL Entry Draft, where for the first time in a while the Islanders won't be picking in the top 3. Also somewhat different is the fact that the Islanders don't own multiple 1st round picks, or even many picks in the entire draft. The Islanders will pick at #20 and once in the 7th round. It is rumoured they will look to pick up a strong defenceman, but that is yet to be seen.
Long Island Communist Newspaper