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	Smyth: I'm Proud to be an Islander
	March 1, 2007: Ryan Smyth arrived at Laguardia Airport this Wednesday night and took part in his first practice as a member of the New York Islanders this morning. The Islanders plan to hold a press conference after practice to formally introduce #94 with his new jersey. Their was a media frenzy at the Coliseum following Ryan's every footstep.

"I'm very excited to be an Islander," Smyth said tonight. "I think people can understand that when you're in one place as long as I was in Edmonton, the news would take some time to sink in. But I'm very excited to make my debut as an Islander tomorrow night. I'm really looking forward to it."

"It hit me today like, 'wow...Edmonton and now the Islanders.' The Oilers have an amazing tradition, but the Islanders' tradition is just as strong. So I look at it as going from one historic franchise to another.
 
"I'm very proud to be an Islander."

''This city is like home to me and my family. We've been here for 12 years. I never thought I'd come to this day.'' 

After 770 games with Edmonton, Smyth's ticket out of town was punched when the sides couldn't bridge what sources say was a US$300,000 a season financial gap on a five-year deal. It's believed the Oilers offered $5.4 million a season while Meehan was asking for $5.7 million.

With that, Lowe pulled the trigger, sending the 31-year-old from Banff, Alta., to the Islanders for prospects Robert Nilsson and Ryan O'Marra and New York's first-round pick in the 2007 draft. With Smyth due to become a free agent July 1, Lowe didn't want to risk losing him for nothing in the off-season.

''I've got to turn the page and get a new chapter in life,'' said Smyth, who was traded on the same day another star Oiler - Mark Messier - had his jersey retired at Rexall Place.

''The Islanders have given me that opportunity and I thank them for this,'' said Smyth. ''I'm going to go there and (do) my best to make the playoffs and win that Cup so I can bring it down here to Edmonton. That's where my heart is.''

Smyth missed the much-anticipated ceremony for Messier, who was one of his heroes growing up as an Oilers fan.

''I shed a few tears at home,'' Smyth said. ''It was very tough for me. Obviously, all those guys I respect on and off the ice. Seeing those old retro jerseys, that hit home a lot. That brought me back to when I was a kid again.''

Selected sixth in the 1994 draft, Smyth's story had been that of an Alberta boy made good with the five-time Stanley Cup champions. It was a tale scripted on and off the ice.

The longest-serving Oiler and the team's leading scorer when traded with 31 goals and 53 points in 53 games, Smyth was as well-known for his charitable pursuits in the community, notably with the Stollery Children's Hospital, as for his dogged determination in front of an opposing goaltender or battling in the corners.

''You go there and you appreciate life when you go there and see kids who don't have an opportunity to do what we do,'' Smyth said of the association he and wife Stacey have with the hospital.

The first player on the ice and the last one off it, Smyth had a routine before every game - home or away - during his 12 seasons with the Oilers. He'd gather three pucks when the pre-game skate was done and toss them to young fans before heading back to the dressing room. Smyth was as big-hearted with children as he was fearless in front of the net, tipping shots and taking a beating from defencemen. ''My wife and I, we tried to broaden out to the community,'' he said. ''You're embedded in the community because of the profession we're in. We wanted to reach out to different charities. ''Kids really touch my heart. The Stollery was one of them pretty much from the get-go.'' Smyth is expected to make his debut with the Islanders on Thursday against the visiting St. Louis Blues.

Dubbed Captain Canada for his many appearances in international competition - he participated in seven consecutive world championships and is this country's all-time leader in games played - Smyth overcame a badly broken right ankle during the 2001-02 season to win a gold medal at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake.

During last spring's Stanley Cup playoffs, Smyth took a puck in the mouth from teammate Chris Pronger. He spit out three teeth, went to the dressing room and returned after a few shifts with his jaw frozen to deaden the pain. Then, there's the pain of what unfolded Tuesday.

''It's really tough to swallow,'' said Smyth, who bid farewell to teammates at the rink Wednesday morning. ''I've gone through a lot of emotions. You look back .. if Wayne Gretzky can get traded, anybody can get traded, but, obviously, I didn't think it would ever come to that.

''I hope the best for the Oilers, but I've got to move on and try to win a Cup."

islesinfo.com comment: Ryan's final statement is what is most important here. The Edmonton Oilers moved on by dealing him and now he needs to move on too. Even though he had a tearful departure from the Oilers Wednesday, I expect he will turn the page like a professional and give everything he has to the Islanders and their playoff run. This reminds me also of the Brent Sutter situation with the Islanders back in 1991. Sutter cried the day he was dealt to Chicago, but he turned the page and gave his all to the Blackhawks, helping them reach the Finals in 1992. The one difference in that situation was Sutter asked to be dealt.

I know there are a lot of Islanders fans worried that this will turn into a Kirk Muller situation and that Smyth will not re-sign with the Islanders in the summer. That is certainly not a fact. Of course we will have to wait and see. But I am extremely confident that Charles Wang will find a way to sign Smyth. 

I am so sick of the detractors around the league of the New York Islanders. Why do some critics out there think the Islanders will not be able to re-sign Smyth? Remember, the salary cap will make it easier for the Islanders to re-sign him. Maybe the Islanders didn't talk to Smyth's agent Don Meehan before the deal was made. But I can guarantee you through talks that Garth Snow and Wang know exactly what Smyth was asking from the Edmonton Oilers. And the Islanders would not have made this deal if they believed they were not willing to give him what he wants to remain an Islander. So for the detractors, why would Smyth leave a team showing they want to win now? Is some other team going to offer him more? Are the Oilers suddenly going to re-sign him in July, only four months from now, when they were not willing to give him what he wants now? I think not.

It's comments from what seems to be bitter members of the media that really get me. John Dellapina, a writer for the Daily News that cover the Rangers, remarked that he believed the Islanders were already a playoff team without Smyth. So obviously he believes that Smyth was a move not needed because in his mind it's not going to win the Islanders the Stanley Cup anyway. He also made remarks that the price was very high, because once again in his mind he believes or would like to see, Smyth walk away from the Islanders come July. Let's hope the Islanders go on a nice long run and prove all the Edmonton and local naysayers that they are all wrong.

He may have stated that he'll always be an Oiler. But that chapter he will hopefully realize is over. The Islanders have just as much history and lore as the Edmonton Oilers do. The Islanders alumni will no doubt come out and embrace Smyth.

I predict Islander fans will be out in full force tonight. We need to support this team which through Garth Snow's shrewd dealing has made a statement that they are going for it. With 9 home games remaining, wouldn't it be something if the fans could sell out the rest of the season? Something special could happen here. Don't miss it.

So everyone who is reading this, let's make sure we show Ryan Smyth some love, Islander style tonight!

McGurie was one of the few people who stated he knew something about what the Islanders gave up and he wasn't very impressed at all with what the Islanders gave up to acquire Ryan Smyth. As Islander fans have probably heard at some point during the last 4 years, McGuire was a huge critic of the Islanders move back in 2003 of selecting Robert Nilsson with the 15th pick overall, in the process passing over on Zach Parise who subsequently went to New Jersey two picks later after the Devils traded up. Tuesday following the deal, McGuire weighed in again, calling Nilsson a "paremeter" player whose future in the NHL is doubtful. He went on to talk about Ryan O'Marra, who was probably the one player the Islanders and their fans were somewhat disappointed to see thrown into the deal. McGuire described O'Marra as a projected third line center in the NHL. He said O'Marra has already been traded in junior and again by an NHL team. He ended by stating if O'Marra doesn't start improving his game he may be traded a few more times in his career. McGuire stated the draft pick is one from what is perceived to be a weak draft. He pointed out the incredible job performed by Islanders GM Garth Snow and marveled at the team he has built along with the help of coach Ted Nolan. Finally, McGuire stated that teams should go for it as far as making moves if they believe they have a shot at the Stanley Cup.

Former goaltender Glenn Healy, who led the Islanders to the Conference Finals back in 1993 and who is now a TV analyst, said he believes the Islanders, "his Islanders", pulled off the deal of the deadline, but he also cautioned by stating Smyth is nothing more than a rental player. Let's hope for the Islanders sake that will not be true.

islesinfo.com comment: There are a lot of fans who believe McGuire hates the Islanders because of his statements regarding Nilsson back in 2003. I use to believe the same thing and my reaction use to be who does this guy think he is. But after following McGuire over the last few years I have learned that he is a very smart hockey guy. He knows what he's talking about, especially prospects because he covers the World Juniors every year and all of junior hockey. I have come to respect McGuire for his hockey knowledge and I came to agree with him on the Nilsson blunder by the Islanders. All you have to do is catch the rare Devils game to lament why Zach Parise isn't wearing the blue, orange and white just like his father J.P. once did.

My main point though is, so many analysts are questioning whether the Oilers got back a good package and many, including McGuire, doesn't believe the Oilers got back equal value. If that question is out there being lamented by so many people, then all you can say as an Islanders fan is this was a trade well worth making. Don't worry about what we gave up. Just think about what the Islanders future can be following the deal.

Oilers trade forward Smyth to Islanders

"Ryan Smyth is a premier NHL player," said Islanders general manager Garth Snow. "The New York Islanders are proud to have Ryan become a member of our organization."

TSN.ca: Unable to reach a long-term deal with their heart-and-soul player, the Edmonton Oilers instead traded Ryan Smyth to the New York Islanders for prospects Ryan O'Marra and Robert Nilsson and the Islanders' first-round pick in 2007.

The two-year, $7 million US contract Smyth signed in 2005 expires after this season, when he will be eligible for unrestricted free agency. 

It remains possible, therefore, that Smyth could re-sign with the Oilers in the summer – assuming today's trade didn't sour his thoughts on the prospect of a return. 

And, of course, the Oilers would still have to meet his asking price.

Smyth has been a cornerstone of the Oilers franchise since Edmonton selected him with the sixth overall pick in the 1994 draft. 

He has scored 265 goals in 770 career games with Edmonton, topping 20 goals eight times.

Smyth is often dubbed Captain Canada because he has represented his country on the ice so many times at the world Championship tournament.  He also won gold with Team Canada at the 2002 Olympics.

islesinfo.com comment: This is incredible! I can't tell you guys how excited I am right now. Ryan Smyth!!! This guy is a heart and soul player. He can play mean. He stands in front of the net and scores goals. Clutch goals. This is the biggest move of the deadline. Garth Snow has pulled off the move of the century here. Analysts are looking at this as a major move by the Islanders. They are only one point out of a playoff position and this move clearly puts the Islanders in a HELL of a lot better position than the teams they are battling for a spot with which includes Carolina, Montreal and Toronto. This move will hopefully also give the Islanders a fighting chance against whoever they face in the playoffs.

What the Islanders gave up: Most analysts, basically those on TSN which includes Pierre McGuire, believe the Islanders made a huge mistake in 2003 by drafting Robert Nilsson and passing over Steve Bernier and Zach Parise. The Islanders have finally come to accept it, and by moving Nilsson they have in some way alleviated themselves of that cloud. The analysts believe Nilsson won't amount to much in the NHL. I personally was sorry to see Ryan O'Marra moved but sometimes you have to give to get. Interestingly, McGuire stated something that islesinfo.com mentioned during the WJC's that O'Marra was more and more looking like a projected third line player in the NHL. O'Marra has already been traded once in the OHL. He hasn't put up big numbers yet as well as he's averaged a point per game throughout his junior career. The prospectus on O'Marra was that he would turn out to be a good two way player with the possibility to be a captain in the NHL one day. The first round pick will most likely end up in the 20-30 range hopefully in what many observers believe is a weak draft.

Another wild note: reports are that Kevin Lowe did not have talks with any other GM besides Garth Snow once negotiations with Smyth broke down around 2pm Eastern this afternoon. That bit of news makes Snow's move even more awesome. He should get a lot of credit for pulling this off. Obviously the most pressing need for the Islanders is to get Smyth signed to a long term deal. The Islanders CANNOT afford to let Smyth get to unrestricted free agency and leave this summer. There is NO way they can let that happen. They have to give Smyth what he wants which will most likely be a 5 year deal for about $5.5 million a year. I believe he's worth it at 31 years of age. Like I mentioned, he's a heart and soul player. There are not a lot of players like Ryan Smyth around. He IS worth it.

"Richard is a proven offensive talent," said Islanders GM Garth Snow. "When you can add a player with his skill and competitiveness for a playoff push at a fair cost, you do it. We believe Richard will fit in well with our team."

Zednik, in his eleventh season in the NHL, has recorded 167 goals and 150 assists for 317 points in 611 games. He has split his career between Washington and Montreal, spending the first five of his career with Capitals before being traded to Montreal at the 2001 trade deadline and spent the next five with the Canadiens. This past off-season, Washington re-acquired him in a trade. In 43 career playoff games, Zednik has 16 goals and 10 assists.

His career high is 31 goals in 2002-03 with the Canadiens, and he has five seasons with 19 or more goals and two seasons in which he totaled 50 points.

The 6-1, 200-pound native of Slovakia could see action on the line with Viktor Kozlov and fellow Slovak Miroslav Satan. 

Zednik essentially is a rental player; he is signed just through this season for $1.976 million. islesinfo.com estimates that to about just under $600,000 that the Islanders will pay for his services.

islesinfo.com also has found out that Washington GM George McPhee offered Zednik to Vancouver early in February for a third round pick.

islesinfo.com comment: Not sure I like this deal. This might be the first deal of Snow's that I am not enthused about. Zednik is a notorious non-performer. He only has 6 goals this season in 32 games played. He's had an injury plagued season, will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year and cost the Islanders a 2nd round pick. A bit too much for my liking. This move could also mean that the Islanders are most likely close to dealing Jason Blake. Unless the Islanders were absolutely bowled over by an offer, that would be another move I am not in support of. I'd rather see the Islanders let Blake walk at the end of the year than disturb a good thing going on here, especially if they don't replace his production. Richard Zednik will not replace Blake's production. Since the Islanders were in the market for a scoring winger, the deal may not be such a bad one if Blake is not dealt. Like I said, I wouldn't deal Blake unless the Islanders are getting quality in return and I really don't see a team like Nashville for example, giving the Islanders Alexander Radulov. All of the rumored team's in the Western Conference interested in Blake are looking to give up a first round pick (which would most likely be a pick between #20 and #30) and a low end prospect. For me that does not get Jason Blake.

"This trade addresses our need for a quality offensive defenseman to improve our power play," said Islanders general manager Garth Snow. "Marc-Andre is an excellent point man, a very good skater and a solid competitor. We like the fact that, at 26, he's just entering his prime. With Bergeron, Bruno Gervais and Chris Campoli, we now have three young defensemen who can really move the puck."

The St. Louis de France, Quebec native is in his fourth season in the NHL – all with Edmonton. He played in 18 playoff games for the Oilers during their run to the Stanley Cup Final last season. During the regular season Bergeron recorded 15 goals for Edmonton. Undrafted, Bergeron was originally signed by Edmonton out of the QMJHL in July of 2001. In 189 career NHL games, Bergeron has scored 33 goals with 55 assists for 88 points, a +9 plus/minus rating and 101 penalty minutes.

As a junior player with Shawinigan in 2000-01, Bergeron was named the CHL's and QMJHL's Defenseman of the Year. In his junior career, Bergeron appeared in 249 games and scored 86 goals with 144 assists for 230 points, a +29 plus/minus rating and 529 penalty minutes.

The Islanders acquired Grebeshkov at last year's trade deadline along with Jeff Tambellini and a draft pick from the Los Angeles Kings for Brent Sopel and Mark Parrish. He appeared in 21 games with the Islanders after the trade and totaled three assists. The 23-year old Grebeshkov is playing this season in his native Russia. With Lokomotiv this season Grebeshkov has recorded 6 goals and 12 points in 33 games played. He's represented by Mark Gandler, who has given the Islanders fits as recent as last summer when he advised Grebeshkov and Sean Bergenheim to play in Europe when the Islanders wouldn't give both players a one way NHL contract.

Bergeron is now the second francophone player on the Islanders, joining fellow defenseman Bruno Gervais. He's under contract until 2007-08, with an option for 2008-09, at an annual salary of $969,000. If the option year is picked up, his salary for 2008-09 would be $1,368,000.

Bergeron is an offensive minded defenseman. The only knock on him in the past has been his size and observers often question if he can handle the bigger forwards.

Reactions from Edmonton:

"We see the upside in the player we're acquiring," Kevin Lowe told The Canadian Press. "We see this as a long-term upgrade."

Oilers fans will likely see this as waiving the white flag on this season, their team eight points behind Minnesota for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference and their GM discarding one of his top four defensemen without getting immediate help in return.

"We're not throwing the towel in," insisted Lowe. "We've got 23 games left, five of them against Minnesota."

islesinfo.com comment: What a great trade. Garth Snow did another great job on this one. Bergeron is a good puck moving defenseman. He will definitely help the Islanders defense corp. As for Grebeshkov, for all the hype he had coming to the Islanders, he was a big disappointment during his short stint here. He often played shy and hesitant. He had already played 3 years in the AHL so perhaps more was expected of him. I think Bergeron will be a more confidant player and Islander fans will be happy with this deal. Plus Snow was able to sell Grebeshkov's worth to Edmonton and managed to squeeze out a third round pick in 2008. I like the deal alot!

Lets Go Isles!