Trading for Polish Prince was among best NY Islanders moves of the 1990s

Mike Milbury’s tenure as New York Islanders general manager is often remembered for questionable trades and draft-day blunders, but even Milbury had a few moves that worked out in the team’s favor. One of the most impactful was the 1997 trade that sent depth forward Dan LaCouture to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Polish winger Mariusz Czerkawski.

At the time, LaCouture was a recent draft pick (2nd, 29th overall) with projected upside, while Czerkawski was still trying to establish himself in the NHL after splitting time between Boston and Edmonton. For the Islanders, the trade was a low-risk swing that turned into one of the brighter spots of Milbury’s run as GM.

Czerkawski, known as the Polish Prince, became a fan favorite on Long Island, evolving into one of the team's best offensive threats in the late 1990s and early 2000s. His speed, scoring touch, and ability to generate offense on teams that otherwise struggled made him a rare bright light during some dark years. In the 1999-2000 season, he erupted for 35 goals and 70 points, earning a spot in the 2000 NHL All-Star Game, one of the few Isles players in that era to receive such recognition.

The team would trade Czerkawski after the 2001-02 season to Montreal for a 5th-round draft pick in 2002 (Marcus Paulsson) and Arron Asham. The Islanders would bring him back the following summer, signing him as a free agent.

In total, Czerkawski scored 145 goals and 275 points across 470 games in two stints with the Islanders. For a player acquired for virtually nothing, his impact was undeniable. LaCouture, meanwhile, went on to play 337 NHL games as a role player, never approaching the offensive production of the winger he was traded for.

For a franchise often mocked for its missteps under Milbury, the Czerkawski trade stands out as a rare victory - a moment when the Isles found a legitimate top-line scorer at a bargain price.