HNLI Deadline Coverage: The Aftermath

Despite it being a lighter trade deadline than in past years, this year's NHL Trade Deadline was an absolute blast. Hockey Night on Long Island covered a lot of the news as it broke for 90 minutes and it was an extremely fun episode for both hosts and listeners alike. If you missed it and still need to satisfy your fix for trade deadline analysis and commentary, feel free to check out the archive.

More analysis to come...but the highlight of deadline day hands down for me was Brian Burke's reaction when pressed for details on the Leafs' last unconfirmed trade of the day. I hope I can get a clip of that posted on this site very soon. Stay tuned.

THE GUERIN TRADE:
I received a comment on my facebook wall from a long-time HNLI listener asking my opinion on the Guerin trade and I thought it summed everything up pretty well:

Michael wrote at 4:02pm
Alex, don't you think you guys should've gotten a little more for Guerin? Maybe one more draft pick or even a prospect?

Alex wrote at 5:26pm
Well, considering all of the hype around Guerin being traded over the past few days I would've hoped for more, but quite frankly I think the Islanders got around fair market value. There was no way the Isles could take Guerin back after this saga and the relationship he has had with Gordon and his contract is soon to expire anyway. While it was a letdown compared to some of the other deals of the day and certainly compared to the hype that was surrounding Guerin over the weekend, I think Garth did what he had to do and got what could potentially become a third rounder.

Don't get me wrong...at first wind of this trade I was pretty frustrated, but after looking it over and seeing the climate of this year's deadline, it puts things into perspective.

Of course, all of us in Islander country now have added incentive to keep rooting for Bill Guerin as every win his new team gets brings the Isles one step closer to a Third Round draft pick.

Best Deadline Day:
In this salary cap era, teams generally tend to fall into one of two categories at the trade deadline. First, there are the buyers. These teams are trying to stock up for the playoff run by picking up the pieces that will put them in the league's upper strata. Then, there are the sellers. These teams, of course, are out of playoff contention or close to it and are stocking up on assets for the future (younger players, prospects, and draft picks). With that said, here are HNLI's deadline day standouts.

Best Buyer:
Alex's Pick: Calgary
Steve's Pick: Calgary

-Acquired Olli Jokinen
-Acquired Jordan Leopold

Best Seller:
Alex's Pick: Phoenix
-Sent Derek Morris to the Rangers for Kalinin, Dawes, and Prucha
-Sent Dennis Carcillo to Philadelphia for Upshall, 2nd Round Draft Pick

Steve's Pick: Colorado
-Sent Leopold to Calgary for Nycholat, Wilson, 2nd Round Draft Pick

HNLI Live Trade Deadline Coverage WEDNESDAY

This Wednesday at 3 PM EST marks the NHL trade deadline and one of the most exciting times on the sports calendar. Be sure to spend Deadline Day with Hockey Night on Long Island. Hosts Alex and Steve will hit the airwaves immediately following the deadline (3 PM SHARP) with all of the latest on the deals that went down, last minute information, and plenty of commentary and analysis. With trade talks surrounding several Islanders, including Bill Guerin, and many notable names around the league, it is sure to be one crazy hour of hockey talk.

Like always, HNLI invites you to join the Deadline Day banter via phone, IM, or the HNLI chatroom. So, when the clock strikes 3 on Wednesday afternoon, be sure to tune in to Hockey Night on Long Island!

Guerin Waiving No-Move Clause Would Be Beyond Classy

REMINDER: This latest Guerin development will be the latest of many topics that HNLI will be covering on this Saturday's episode with Greg Logan of Newsday. Be sure to tune in for what is going to be a great episode.

After a lot of talk that Bill Guerin's no-move Clause would contribute heavily to a quiet deadline day for the Islanders, it appears this may not be the case. According to tonight's update on Chirs Botta's Point Blank blog, it appears that Bill Guerin is willing to waive his no-trade clause under certain conditions.

Time and time again throughout both his NHL career and his stint with the Islanders, Guerin has proven himself to be one of the classiest players in the game. Waiving his no-move clause in an effort to help out the Islanders would, in my mind, go above and beyond expectations. So many veteran players refuse to budge in this type of situation because it is simply too much of an inconvenience for them (i.e. the 2008 Toronto Maple Leafs). Still, Guerin clearly wants both to be as accommodating to the Islanders as possible and to be a contributer to a team in a stretch/playoff run.

I'm sure I speak on behalf of the Islanders' organization and its fans in saying that I will not be upset if Guerin is still with the Islanders on March 5th. But if he does waive the no-move clause, I wish him the best of luck wherever he ends up. For the sake of the future, it is in the team's best interest to try and deal Guerin for a pick/prospect package. Besides, maybe Bill will be an Islander once more come July 1.

Greg Logan of Newsday to Join HNLI SATURDAY

For a very special Trade Deadline Preview episode this Saturday, Hockey Night on Long Island host Steve and HNLI regular guest Tom Liodice (TheTigerTrack.com, NYI Blog Box) will be joined by Islanders beat writer Greg Logan of Newsday for an action packed segment of hockey talk. Logan, who has made several HNLI appearances in the past, always provides great insight into what is going on behind the scenes and makes for an outstanding guest. Like always, you can talk to our special guest by calling in and we will be taking your questions via IM and the HNLI chatroom. In addition to the upcoming trade deadline, this week's HNLI will cover everything from the Islanders' most recent games to the recent Lighthouse Project progress and of course to the latest on John Tavares and the NHL Draft. Be sure to tune in for an intense episode of Hockey Night on Long Island this Saturday at 3:30 PM EST.

Reminder: Special HNLI Sunday Episode Tomorrow 3:30 PM EST

Be sure to tune into a special Sunday episode of Hockey Night on Long Island tomorrow, 2/22, at 3:30 PM EST. Alex and Steve will be joined by HNLI-regular Gary Harding of The View from Section 317 Blog and NYI Blog Box to talk about everything surrounding the New York Islanders. They will discuss Friday's big trade with the Ottawa Senators, recap the week of games and of course continue to preview the NHL Trade Deadline and 2009 NHL Entry Draft. As always, listeners are encouraged to call in, Click to Talk on the episode page, IM us and participate in the HNLI Chat Room during the show to give their thoughts on the trade. Remember to tune into this special Sunday episode of HNLI tomorrow. To listen, visit www.show.hockeynightonlongisland.com

Programming Update: HNLI News

Here are some HNLI Programming Notes:

• As you may have noticed on our upcoming schedule, we have changed this week's episode of Hockey Night on Long Island from our normal Saturday time to SUNDAY FEBRUARY 22nd at 3:30 PM EST. Stay tuned to hockeynightonlongisland.com for updates on the special guest for this episode. HNLI hosts Alex and Steve will talk about everything surrounding the New York Islanders, including the upcoming NHL Trade Deadline. Be sure to tune into this week's episode!
• Also, Alex and Steve will be making a guest appearance tonight at 9:30 PM EST on The Sports Docket, another great BlogTalkRadio show. We will be recapping the games against the Rangers and Hurricanes, talking about the Isles prospects and discussing the Atlantic Division. To listen, click here:

Thanks for listening to Hockey Night on Long Island, your source for everything New York Islanders!

Deadline Recap: Commentary to Come!

MORE COMMENTARY TO COME

Islander Moves:
-Signed Mike Comrie to a One Year Contract in 2008-2009 for $4 Million
-Traded 2008 7th Round Draft Pick to San Jose for Defenseman Rob Davidson
-Traded Chris Simon to Minnesota for 2008 6th Round Draft Pick
-Traded Marc-Andre Bergeron to Anaheim for 2008 3rd Round Draft Pick

Click here for a list of all the NHL Trades

Be sure to check back to hockeynightonlongisland.com for in depth opinion on the trade deadline for the Islanders and around the league.