TELL ME SOMETHING GOOD!! Campoli and Comrie Headed to Ottawa

Could this be the beginning of what some of us have speculated to be the eventual fire sale here in Islanderland? We could be on the verge of something huge. From the official press release:

Uniondale, NY, February 20, 2009 -- The New York Islanders have acquired center Dean McAmmond and a 2009 first round draft pick from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for defenseman Chris Campoli and center Mike Comrie.

“We’re excited that we are able to add another piece to our rebuilding plans while bringing in someone like Dean who will provide additional depth for our team,” said Islanders General Manager Garth Snow. “The Islanders organization would like to thank Mike and Chris for their contributions both on and off the ice over the past few seasons.”

McAmmond has played in 44 games with the Senators this season, scoring three goals and four assists for seven points. In 916 career NHL games, the 15-year veteran has recorded 176 goals and 246 assists for 422 points and 442 penalty minutes. The 35-year-old Alberta native was originally drafted by Chicago in the first round (22nd overall) of the 1991 NHL Entry Draft.

The Islanders also receive a 2009 first round draft pick, which originally belonged to the San Jose Sharks.

Campoli was drafted by the Islanders in the seventh round (227th overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. In 228 career NHL games – all with the Islanders – he recorded 20 goals and 63 assists for 83 points. Comrie was signed by the Islanders as a free agent on July 5, 2007. The 28-year-old Edmonton native has played in 503 career NHL games, scoring 151 goals and 180 assists for 331 points with Edmonton, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Ottawa and the Islanders.

This is the kind of trade that many of us on the inside have been speculating to happen in quite some time leading up to the deadline. What we never knew was that Garth would pull it off and not only pick up a solid two-way player in Dean McHammond but also ANOTHER 1st round pick in this year's draft. Great work by Garth working the phones and getting pieces that the Islanders will need to continue this rebuild.

In my mind, Mike Comrie should have been gone a while ago. I'm just glad I got to meet Hillary Duff before he left. Comrie never really seemed to be the right fit here even under Ted Nolan save for a few games at the beginning of last season against Buffalo. I wish him the best going back to the city and team that he nearly helped bring a Stanley Cup to.

The big surprise for me here is Campoli and I guarantee he was the lynch pin of the trade. It's a refreshing site to see that Garth trusted his coaching staff and his instinct in dealing Chris to Ottawa. They could use a good young puck-moving defenseman and Chris fits that bill. Here he just never found his legs and niche under Scott Gordon. He'll have a long a very productive career and I can only wish him the best as well.

I'll be back to update everyone on Dean McAmmond and what his impact on the team will be this evening. Enjoy this fact while you can: If the Islanders were to finish in 30th place, which seems likely, they will have 4 picks in the top-40 of the draft. Party on Garth!!

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Photos courtesy of SportsIllustrated.CNN.com and Islanders.NHL.com