Islanders Have Hiller In Sights?

From the Boston Globe:

Surplus in Anaheim net

 On Thursday, Anaheim activated Viktor Fasth from his AHL conditioning stint. At the same time, the Ducks assigned Frederik Andersen to Norfolk. During his brief NHL audition, Andersen proved his AHL apprenticeship doesn’t have to be much longer. The 24-year-old went 6-1-0 with a 1.66 GAA and .943 save percentage while sharing the net with Jonas Hiller. Andersen won his first six career starts, the first goalie to turn the trick since Toronto’s Damian Rhodes posted six straight W’s between March 22, 1991, and Dec. 2, 1993. Andersen’s promotion, Fasth’s good health, and the career trajectory of puckstopping prospect John Gibson point to Anaheim acquiring assets for Hiller, who will reach UFA status at the end of the season. Possible landing spots for Hiller include the Islanders and Nashville.

My take: Take it for what it is, it could be the Isles and Nashville going for Hiller, however.....

USA TODAY: With Pekka Rinne sidelined indefinitely due to complications in his surgically repaired hip,  Kevin Allen believes the Nashville Predators need to shop for a new goaltender or risk falling out of playoff contention by the end of this month. He suggests they contact the Anaheim Ducks, who are deep in goalies this season.

It's already on record that the GM of the Preds will wait until Rinne's results come in from his MRI later this month to make a decision. So if the Isles truly want Hiller, it may not be until at the end of this month and the Isles also need to see the results from Evgeni Nabakov before making any kind of decision. Stick tap to Islandermania for the Boston Globe piece and Spector's Hockey for the USA Today article.

ICYMI Enthusiasm & Expectations

Let me start off by saying that these are my opinions and mine alone and do not reflect anyone at Isles Talk. That being said, with all due respect to my fellow & hopeful Islanders fans, please get off your very high pedestals and wishful thinking and come back down to reality to what are the New York Islanders.  Last year’s run at the playoffs is now a distant memory and unfortunately many had expected the Islanders to repeat what they did or move further along in the playoffs. It still may happen, but it’s time to break out the old cliche from last year that this team will once again “Drive you to drink.” Continue reading →

Will MacDonald Get Traded This Year?

Photo courtesy of Bleacherreport.com

I'm sure by now many Islanders fans read Elliot Friedmans 30 thoughts and what he said about the Islanders. What intrigues me however was his number 5 thought:

 5. By the way, a few teams are watching one of Snow's guys very closely: defenceman Andrew MacDonald. He's unrestricted after the season, and a greatly improved player.

My take: He's a tradable asset. He hasn't received a contract yet, neither did Matt Moulson. Could he fetch a first rounder? Not likely, but with prospects like Reinhart, Pulock, Mayfield progressing, he certainly wouldn't get a long term deal from the Islanders. Therefore I wouldn't be surprised if there was another "shake-up" for the Islanders, this time for the defense. Time and the standings will tell.