Eyes On Isles
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New York Islanders Deal With Vegas Gets More Complicated

By Michel Anderson

Mar 15, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New York Islanders center Mikhail Grabovski (84) skates on the ice before playing the Pittsburgh Penguins at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New York Islanders center Mikhail Grabovski (84) skates on the ice before playing the Pittsburgh Penguins at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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According to reports the New York Islanders might just get out of this expansion draft ahead of the game and shed a massive contract.

Newsday’s Arthur Staple recently indicated that the deal between the New York Islanders and the Vegas Golden Knights has two layers.

The first layer is the Islanders first round pick (15th overall) will go to the Golden Knights. In return, the Golden Knights will select a player of the Islanders choosing.

"The Islanders have a deal in place to send their first-round pick to Vegas to steer the expansion franchise toward selecting a designated player off the Isles’ unprotected list"

Staple had originally reported that it could be Nikolai Kulemin, but then took that down within an hour as information he was getting changed. That happens no biggie. (You deserved that drink Arthur!)

But the second layer will have Isles fans dancing in the streets. Staple indicates that Vegas will be taking Mikhail Grabovski from the Isles, not in expansion, but as part of a separate deal. That’s $5 million off the books this year rather than the next.

"The deal also includes a third piece going to Vegas. There is a strong possibility that it would be Mikhail Grabovski"

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From Comedy to Chaos, and a Bit of Genious

The day started terribly with the New York Islanders looking like a laughing stock based on their protection list. Three forwards and five defensemen (and a goaltender of course). The Hockey News’ Dom Luszczszyn gave the Isles no love after their list came out:

Dom late walked that back after the news of Kulemin/Grabovski going to Vegas came out. It’s hard not to blame him. Without the existence of this deal, the New York Islanders protection/exposed list doesn’t look good at all. But now with this deal, if true, puts the Isles in a good position.

Not only to escape the expansion draft in good shape but may even be healthier after it. It’s not something any of us thought was going to be possible at the start of the day.

Next: NHL Salary Cap Goes Up to $75 Million

The New York Islanders could use the space on the cap to make room for players that can actually play this season. Rumors for Duchene and/or Eberle are still going wild over social media.

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